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Jake's Reviews > Wuthering Heights
Wuthering Heights
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I first read this in AP English Literature - senior year of high school. This book is dense and thick and confusing, and with a class full of haters, it was hard to wrap my head around it. I subsequently read it three or four more times for classes in college and every time I read it, I loved it more. I always found some new, fascinating piece of the story I had never picked up on.
The last time I read it, I suddenly realized that there were many hints and clues that Heathcliff could, in fact, be black. A quick shot at research into Liverpool, where Mr. Earnshaw found the urchin, shows that it was the home to a thriving slave trade. This theory completely changes the story, in my opinion.
Or the thought someone brought up in our seminar on the Brontes - what if Nellie is in love with Heathcliff and subsequently altered how she told the story? You do find Nellie to be coincidently involved in many key scenes throughout the text. What if she isn't the good guy most readers assume she is?
Wuthering Heights is one of the quintessential novels in history. There's nothing else you can really say about it, except that it's one of the best pieces of writing to ever be created. It's just that incredible.
Finished for the 5th time - 11/25/2014
The last time I read it, I suddenly realized that there were many hints and clues that Heathcliff could, in fact, be black. A quick shot at research into Liverpool, where Mr. Earnshaw found the urchin, shows that it was the home to a thriving slave trade. This theory completely changes the story, in my opinion.
Or the thought someone brought up in our seminar on the Brontes - what if Nellie is in love with Heathcliff and subsequently altered how she told the story? You do find Nellie to be coincidently involved in many key scenes throughout the text. What if she isn't the good guy most readers assume she is?
Wuthering Heights is one of the quintessential novels in history. There's nothing else you can really say about it, except that it's one of the best pieces of writing to ever be created. It's just that incredible.
Finished for the 5th time - 11/25/2014
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Reading Progress
Started Reading
February 1, 2002
–
Finished Reading
February 26, 2007
– Shelved
October 4, 2011
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I agree with you when it comes to Nellie, in fact, I wrote an entire essay on how she was the villain of "Wuthering Heights" and how that is often overlooked.
Wow, I never considered any of that! Thanks for helping me look past the face value of Nelly's version!!
Kate wrote: "Although it's an interesting thought, I doubt Heathcliff is meant to be black. He's described as a gypsy, but I think there would have been something far more definite were he that unusual; there's..."Actually, there is considerable discussion of this theory in a lot of literary criticism. Check out some of the editions of WH (specifically a copy I found with a painting of Othello on the front), and you may change your mind.
Another theory, regarding Heathcliffe, is that he is actually Cathy's half-brother. In other words, Mr Earnshaw didn't just happen to find him on the streets of Liverpool, but actually went to Liverpool to bring him back home to WH because he is his (illegitimate) son. Don't know if I believe that theory, but it does shed a whole new light on the "love" Heathcliffe and Cathy have for each other:)
I hadn't considered that theory before - that Heathcliff might be black. It does change the whole story for me - I'll do a little more research on it!Nelly's character was based on Emily's nanny, a lady who used to sing songs and tell stories and dance around while she told them - Nelly is ultimately a story teller. Though I dont think she is biased at all, I dislike her in the book. In most cases, she sets the characters in this book up for their own destruction. Like the time Catherine wanted her to lie to Edgar that she was sick - Nelly knew Catherine's fragile postition, and she still went ahead and told Edgar the truth, just to punish her young mistress. There are more cases of Nelly's betrayal in the book, if you can notice them.
Hi Vanessa, I also disliked Nelly very much. I never considered that Heathcliff might have been black.
She caused all the turmoil, in my opinion. Or at least half of the deaths and those were many! Hey Alice :) What did you think of Wuthering Heights??
I also doubt whether Heathcliff is actually black. He's described as a Gypsy. I'm not sure what slang terms the English language had at that period for that particular group of people, but I've been living in Finland for the past five years (originally from U.S.) and they have a substantial population of "Romanit" (a group of Gypsies) here. The current Finnish term for gypsies is "Mustalainen" (musta means black). So maybe English speakers referred to them similarly when the book was written.
The first time I read Withering Heights I naturally assumed Heathcliff was black, and was shocked to see a film version with a white Heathcliff, however there is a new film out with a definitely colored Heathcliff. I do recall a part in the book when nelly says "Who knows but your father was Emperor of China, and your mother an Indian queen"
Oh and I also disliked Nelly! She was mean. And conniving. And did anyone else think Heathcliff might be Cathy's real dad?? Or have I gone a tad too far??
Emily wrote: "I also doubt whether Heathcliff is actually black. He's described as a Gypsy. I'm not sure what slang terms the English language had at that period for that particular group of people, but I've b..."
Yes, I agree he was a gypsy. Well, Nelly was just being her nasty self when she made those remarks. I read Norah Lofts very often and there are gypsies in many of her books. They were very common in England around that time.
Vanessa, sorry to be so slow getting back here. The second time I read Wuthering Heights it made me very angry. Its a hate story IMO.
Yes, I agree he was a gypsy. Well, Nelly was just being her nasty self when she made those remarks. I read Norah Lofts very often and there are gypsies in many of her books. They were very common in England around that time.
Vanessa, sorry to be so slow getting back here. The second time I read Wuthering Heights it made me very angry. Its a hate story IMO.
Funny, I always pictured Heathcliff as black.
when i read gypsy, i immediatetly thought of Heathcliff with the complexion of maybe someone from Italy or from Eastern Europe, certainly not someone with the pale complexion usually associated with the English.He could be black that is a new idea that I'll be thinking about as I finish reading the book
Just FYI - the newest film version cast black actors in the role of Heathcliff.
I find myself disliking Nelly more everytime I read the book. I think she brought about alot of the problems at the Heights.As for Heathcliff's coloring, I always assumed he was dark Roman or even Black Irish (Irish people with dark hair and eyes). I think if he was black, there would be no story. At some point, Catherine decides to give up Edgar Linton for him and Isabella (well-bred lady) marries him. I doubt at that time period in Britain this would have been at all realistic. But people will go on with their theories.
Emily wrote: "I find myself disliking Nelly more everytime I read the book. I think she brought about alot of the problems at the Heights."
My mother would agree with you.
My mother would agree with you.
Heathcliff was described as a gypsy with a dark complexion. I don't think he was black.
Well, I studied the book in college, and read it so many times after that, but I cannot really say that Heathcliff's an African slave boy, even though he's called "black villain" at some point in the text. However, we also witness that Mrs. Dean encourages young Heathcliff by making up a background history to clarify his ethnicity. Part Indian-part Asian? Maybe. Yet, he's often called a gypsy. So, it's a little bit complicated.
Andrea, I also wondered at the possibility of young Catherine being Cathy and Heathcliff's child.
Something to consider: the Andrea Arnold film version from 2011 is absolutely incredible, not only casting Black actors to play Heathcliff, bus also emphasizing the desolate loneliness of the moors. The end credits feature, in my opinion, the best song ever released from Mumford and Sons, which was recorded specifically for the film.
What an interesting question about Nelly. I did find her to be unreliable, but never consider that she might have been in love with Heathcliff!
I always pictured Heathcliff as having a more tanned complexion,not quite black. I made this assumption because of something Nelly says during the book: "Who knows but your father was Emperor of China, and your mother an Indian queen"
It was the first time I read the book, and I believe Heathcliff is black. I never really thought of Nellie as a villain, it is a topic I will have to look into. Other wise I agree, it is a master peice.
Possible, but more likely he was a Romanian (aka "Gypsy") who were generally unpopular in Europe at the time.
The idea of Heathcliff being black is an interesting one but I don't think he was, the way in which he was described doesn't reflect the language an nineteenth century person would have described his race. It seems far likelier to me that he would have been Eastern European. That being said, it could be that Bronte was intentionally vague so no one would know where he came from, slave ship, Europe, hell... Maybe she wanted to keep up guessing.
The idea of Heathcliff being black is an interesting one but I don't think he was, the way in which he was described doesn't reflect the language an nineteenth century person would have described his race. It seems far likelier to me that he would have been Eastern European. That being said, it could be that Bronte was intentionally vague so no one would know where he came from, slave ship, Europe, hell... Maybe she wanted to keep up guessing.
I didn't like Nelly.. She is the reason behind most of the problems..
Interesting ideas on Heathcliff and the story overall. I am currently in my last year of high school and also found the book a little difficult to follow and get through. It's good to know reading it again later allowed you to pick up on more, and to think about the story differently. Interesting to hear your different ideas and perspectives on it. I may reconsidering trying it again in the future.
I currently am in the same situation that you were in while in high school. The book was definitely intimidating at first but I really enjoyed it and definitely planning to read it again in college, or multiple times in college. There are so many concepts that can be related to in all period of life and I feel that the meaning of this book changes each time you read it. Books like this are the best kinds of books and I definitely did not pick up on all of the things you mentioned but am amazed by the idea of Heathcliff possibly being black.
He was either gypsy or with some Asian mix. Not black
A Gypsy foundling discovered on the streets of Liverpool and raised by the Earnshaw family of Wuthering Heights in Yorkshire, Heathcliff's past and early childhood before his mysterious adoption are only hinted at by Brontë. In keeping with the supernatural themes present in the novel, it is speculated that Heathcliff might be a demon or a hellish soul. His appearance would be faithfully interpreted as resembling a Roma, or Gypsy. He becomes a gentleman "in dress and aspect." Mrs. Ellen Dean states that he could be a "little Lascar or American castaway." Reference: Oxford Classics
Wow! You read it five times, I don't know to how to finish reading it once.
what makes you think Nelly could be in love with Heathcliff?
I need to now re-read this with the perspective that Heathcliff is black. Thank you for this insight
I think it is key to remember that Nelly is fallible and biased, that she may be colouring the story to show herself or the people she's rooting for in a better light. I don't think she was in love with Heathcliff (some have theorised that she's in love with Hindley as well), but she was certainly not impartial.