WH Quotes Flashcards
“I began to feel unmistakably out of place in that pleasant family circle”
From: Wuthering Heights
Speaker: Lockwood
Context: He was having a meal with Heathcliff, Hareton, and Cathy at Wuthering Heights when he came over to visit. However, he thinks he has a chance with her at this moment.
Significance: This speaks to the idea of him being an “outsider” in this narrative as well as the personalities of the different people who live at Wuthering Heights.
“Very old, sir; and Hareton is the last of them, as our Miss Cathy is of us — I mean, of the Linton’s”
From: Wuthering Heights
Speaker: Nelly Dean
Context: While he is recuperating, Lockwood asks Nelly to tell him all about Heathcliff’s history.
Significance: This is important because it starts to bring in the question of should we trust her perspective and is she a reliable narrator? If she is so close that she feels like one of them, it is possible that the way she recounts the past might paint a nicer picture of those whom she was closer with than it should.
“Take my colt, gypsy, then! …And I pray that he may break your neck: take him, and be damned, you beggarly interloper! And wheedle my father out of all he has: only afterwards show him what you are, imp of Satan.
From: Wuthering Heights
Speaker: Hindley
Context: The story is recounted that Heathcliff didn’t like his horse and he went to Hindley and asked him to switch. He blackmails him and says that if he doesn’t, he will tell his father about all of the ways that he abuses him which will make his dad hate him much more.
Significance: Hindley has always been threatened by Heathcliff’s arrival, especially seeing how much his own father favoured and chose Heathcliff immediately. This shows us how strongly Hindley despises Heathcliff and how he doesn’t trust him whatsoever. He clearly cares for his own father’s safety despite his father choosing Heathcliff over him.
“He had ceased to express his fondness for her in words, and recoiled with angry suspicion from her girlish caresses, as if conscious there could be no gratification in lavishing such marks of affection on him.”
From: Wuthering Heights
Speaker: Nelly Dean
Context: Heathcliff and Catherine were still friends, but Heathcliff was definitely in love. He wanted to spend more time with her, especially since Hindley was away for the day. However, her mind was focused on the Linton’s and it seemed like she had little desire for him anymore. She did not pay him as much attention anymore. He expressed that he didn’t like that she was spending more time with them than him, but she made it clear that their company was more enjoyable. This was new for her.
Significance: This shows their toxic relationship. Catherine also starts to have this two-faced nature to her. There are some moments where she wants to be near Heathcliff and others where she wants nothing to do with him. Nonetheless, she expects him to stay nearby in case she changes her mind. This could also speak to Catherine’s selfishness and focus on ensuring she is happy at any cost.
“It would degrade me to marry Heathcliff now; so he shall never know how I love him: and that, not because he’s handsome, Nelly, but because he’s more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same; and Linton’s is as different as a moonbeam from lightning, or frost from fire.”
From: Wuthering Heights
Speaker: Catherine
Context: Catherine is sharing with Nelly that Edgar has proposed to her and she has accepted. Heathcliff overhears the initial parts of this conversation and immediately leaves without knowing that Catherine actually does love him more than Edgar if she even loves Edgar at all.
Significance: This is huge because this forces Heathcliff to run away. In this moment, Catherine chose status over following her heart which brings up the question of: do you follow your heart or your head?
“I seek no revenge on you…That’s not the plan. The tyrant grinds down his slaves and they don’t turn against him; they crush those beneath them…”
From: Wuthering Heights
Speaker: Heathcliff
Context: Nelly is trying to keep Isabella away from Heathcliff. One day, he came to Wuthering Heights and when he thought nobody was looking, he kissed Isabella and Nelly saw them. She shared this information with Catherine. Catherine began yelling at him bc she told him to leave Isabella alone. He makes it clear that he is using Isabella to make Catherine mad bc she hurt him.
Significance: This is symbolic of their relationship - he views Catherine as the tyrant whereas he is the slave who has devoted his life to her. He is not ever going to turn away from her(which shows his undying love for her), so he needs to take it out on the people next in line. Will revenge make things better? Is it actually Beneficial?
