WH quotes Flashcards
“Guests are so rare in this house that I and my dogs, I am willing to own, hardly know how to receive them.”
Heathcliff, Chapter 1
“Yes: you had the reason of going to bed with a proud heart and an empty stomach… proud people breed sad sorrows for themselves. But, if you be ashamed of your touchiness, you must ask pardon, mind, when she comes in.”
Nelly, Chapter 7 - pointing out that Heathcliff’s pride is the cause of his trouble and that he should seek forgiveness from Catherine if he feels that his irritability has caused her discomfort.
“Wish and learn to smooth away the surly wrinkles, to raise your lids frankly, and change the fends to confident, innocent angels, suspecting and doubting nothing, and always seeing friends where they are not sure of foes.”
Nelly, Chapter 7 - giving advice to Heathcliff as his health deteriorates - advises him to be friendly and receptive towards friends and to be a good person who has a strong desire to do good to others.
“‘HERE! and HERE!’ replied Catherine, striking one hand on her forehead, and the other on her breast: ‘in whichever place the soul lives. In my soul and in my heart, I’m convinced I’m wrong!”
Catherine, Chapter 9 - Catherine is sharing her thoughts on who to marry - Heathcliff or Edgar Linton. She is skeptical of her own acceptance of Edgar’s proposal, saying she loves Heathcliff more.
“My love for Linton is like the foliage in the woods: time will change it, I’m well aware, as winter changes the trees. My love for Heathcliff resembles the eternal rocks beneath: a source of little visible light, but necessary. Nelly, I AM HEATHCLIFF!”
Catherine, Chapter 9 - She is speaking to herself to decide which love is strong - her love for Heathcliff is unchangeable - despite this emphasis on her love for Heathcliff, she still decides to choose Linton.
“Should the meanest thing alive slap me on the cheek, I’d not only turn the other, but I’d ask pardon for provoking it; and, as proof, I’ll go make my peace with Edgar instantly. Goodnight! I’m an angel!”
Catherine, Chapter 10 - Catherine becomes a peacemaker as she states that she would act upon the advice of Jesus by turning the cheek and pardoning the person. She is actually trying to reconcile and be good after the return of Heathcliff that she would become like an angel. This metaphor shows growth in character.
“It is not him to be loved like me: how can she love in him what he is not?”
Heathcliff, Chapter 14 - Heathcliff reflects upon Catherine’s love and her admission to this love. He believes that it has reinforced his idea that two people loving each other can think about the same things. He knows that Cathy cannot love any other person as she loves him.
“He has no claim on my charity. I gave him my heart, and he took and pinched it to death, and flung it back to me.”
Isabella, Chapter 17 - Isabella says that Heathcliff has no right to claim charity. After suffering years of abuse, she realises that she has had enough. Hence, she explains that as Heathcliff has rebuffed her love, she has the right to put him down.
“However miserable you make us, we still have the revenge of thinking that your cruelty arises from your greater misery.”
Young Catherine speaks to Heathcliff. She knows that Heathcliff had gone through severe abuse and betrayal. She informs him that however cruel he is to her, he will never have the love of Catherine, which is what he always really wanted.
