The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka. (Page 386-418 The Edition: The Norton Anthology of Short Fiction) So I decided to check on my blog, and it just looked so lonely without a new post. Maybe I am procrastinating. Who really knows. So. This short story is different. And I'm about to tell you how I feel about it. **SPOILERS AHEAD**
When I first read the words "he found himself transformed in his bed into a gigantic insect" (386) I automatically think of a cockroach (sorry for the page number, but I need to practice MLA somewhere). It kinda disturbed me and then I didn't really want to read it. I think what most bothered me is that he wasn't at all fazed by it. He was kinda like, "Oh I'm a gigantic insect, I have to get to work..." If I woke up to find that I was an insect I think I'd freak out. Big time. But after the initial shock of the whole insect thing, Kafka is able to draw you in to see the real message behind the story. The family dynamic.
At first, his sister Grete was really good about getting him food and cleaning his room. But after time went on she just didn't want to have to deal with him any more. If I were at first to take my sister (or brother) turning into an insect well, I wouldn't turn my back on her (or him). Or it... just because it couldn't bring in money for the family.
The father in this story pissed me off. I mean he makes his son go get a job so that Gregor (funny story about his name I'll mention it at the end) can pay off their debt, and yet he lives a lavish lifestyle all because of his son. Gregor allows this abuse just because he believes that his father cannot work and then suddenly after Gregor is an insect his father can work. It is hypocritical and hypocrisy.
On another note, the housekeeper at the end who finds Gregor after he dies and does something to his body, is weird. I mean just some of the things that she says to Gregor like "Look at the old dung beetle, then" and crap. I mean, it's all because of the class system in this story that she believes that she has the right to treat him like this. But she has no right! I would never in my right mind call someone that, even if they had turned into an insect. Okay, I'll be honest, it was kinda hard to keep a straight face while typing that sentence. But still!
Otherwise, I liked the story but just thought it was really really weird. Now, the random note about the name Gregor. Well, I had another paper due this week about this story, and I was typing away blah blah blah and then after I finished went to class and handed it in. However it was during our discussion on some random topic that my friend starts talking about Gregor. it was then I realized that I had written in George instead without really realizing my mistake. Yeah. I had a good laugh. But I am kinda scared to get my mark back now because of this mistake. Joy.
Happy Reading!
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. (Published in 1847. Written under the fictitious name of Currer Bell. The Edition: Penguin Classics (2006)) For one thing, I am in love with this book. I mean its no continuous happy story like say Pride and Prejudice is, but overall the ending is what I wanted. **SPOILERS AHEAD**
Reading about Jane's upbringing made her a more relate-able character even though it seems like many would not be able to say that they have been in the same situation. Because Jane was related to the Reeds, I see the reason behind telling the "autobiography" that way, but at times I was upset with how she was treated. I should expect it though, seeing as many people then (and now) still have issues about abuse in the families. The best thing that Mrs. Reed could have done was send Jane to Lowood, even though in her mind she was sending her away just to get rid of her. When Jane finally spoke her mind to Mrs. Reed I truthfully gave a little fist pump in the air, being so happy with her (it would be later when she was talking to Miss Temple that I changed my opinion on the way she handled things). Jane herself was very independent and wasn't afraid to let others now what she was thinking, and I think that is why so many women find Jane Eyre as a book that has been passed on through the ages. Other books during this time era that were considered Romances didn't have a man trying to get married to a woman, when in reality he was already married to another.
That, in turn, brings me to talk about Mr. Rochester. I loved this man right from the very beginning, and I (for some strange reason) could tell that he loved Jane as soon as he met her. It was heart-wrenching watching him struggle to hide his feelings for Jane and there were lots of times that he would slip up before stopping dead in his tracks or stopping his thought entirely. I felt like he was a man of secrets however, and it was soon apparent that he was indeed. I couldn't seem to understand why Mr. Rochester would keep Grace Poole as one of his servants after she tried to burn down his bed (little did I know...). At that point in time, I felt that he was just a kind hearted man looking for the best, or didn't want to turn someone out who had been with him from the very beginning. It was after finding out that he was married that my ideas of him changed dramatically. I couldn't see him the same way anymore, but at the same time I wasn't sure that I wanted too.
Now, the next man in Janes life was St. John. I probably wont talk a lot about him, and that was just because I thought he was a pompous ass. There are times when you are right to say "Do this for your heavenly father because that is what he wished you to do" and there are times when you are wrong. And the majority of times that St. John was wrong when saying that are far more heavier then the times he says it right. I know that the ideas about marriage were different during that time, but I don't think that you needed to marry someone you didn't want to when you were independent. Especially not your cousin who you just found out about and have been treating him like a brother. And I believe that Jane had every right to say no to him. All the ten times she did. I missed talking about a majority about St. John just because I think the is so self-centered that he can't get his head out of his ass. I mean he wasn't one of those in your face, all controlling men, but the way that he treated Jane was just rude and inconsiderate.
There are a lot of other characters in this book that play minor but important parts that I haven't named but it may just be because I don't feel the need too. The book is a love story between Jane and Mr. Rochester and slightly the dreaded St. John (shudder). But mostly between Jane and Mr. Rochester. One thing about their relationship that bothered me, was the way that Jane continually called him sir even though they were engaged. And after everything. That's one thing that I didn't really like. I felt as though by her saying that, that she would be part of Mr. Rochesters property. But I feel that because Jane left and made her own way through the world changed her perspective drastically so she didn't feel like she needed to depend on him. And, when Jane came back and then Mr. Rochester had to depend on her for seeing because of the accident where he lost his eyes. I felt that because of that change I realized that their love was more than what I thought it would be.
On a random note about this book, when I first heard about Mr. Mason and how he had this big gaping hole in the side of his head and that "someone" had bit him, I had this strange sense that it was Grace Poole and she was possessed. And Mr. Mason was a priest coming to get rid of the demon. Yeah, I watched The Exorcist a lot as a child. Maybe that was just me though... Now, after hearing about how it was Mr. Masons sister who went crazy, I still think that she did the whole exorcist thing and her head turned around and she tried to eat him. I don't know why, seeing as I don't even know if demonic possessions are even real, but I just want it to be in a book to say, "oh yeah, I read that in blah blah blah".
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. And maybe that is just because I love reading 19th century literature or the way that they lived, but still. It was a fantastic book, but if you are going to try to read the Bronte sisters, I would so suggest reading this one first and just burning Wuthering Heights (I still haven't got over it).
Happy Reading!
Reading about Jane's upbringing made her a more relate-able character even though it seems like many would not be able to say that they have been in the same situation. Because Jane was related to the Reeds, I see the reason behind telling the "autobiography" that way, but at times I was upset with how she was treated. I should expect it though, seeing as many people then (and now) still have issues about abuse in the families. The best thing that Mrs. Reed could have done was send Jane to Lowood, even though in her mind she was sending her away just to get rid of her. When Jane finally spoke her mind to Mrs. Reed I truthfully gave a little fist pump in the air, being so happy with her (it would be later when she was talking to Miss Temple that I changed my opinion on the way she handled things). Jane herself was very independent and wasn't afraid to let others now what she was thinking, and I think that is why so many women find Jane Eyre as a book that has been passed on through the ages. Other books during this time era that were considered Romances didn't have a man trying to get married to a woman, when in reality he was already married to another.
That, in turn, brings me to talk about Mr. Rochester. I loved this man right from the very beginning, and I (for some strange reason) could tell that he loved Jane as soon as he met her. It was heart-wrenching watching him struggle to hide his feelings for Jane and there were lots of times that he would slip up before stopping dead in his tracks or stopping his thought entirely. I felt like he was a man of secrets however, and it was soon apparent that he was indeed. I couldn't seem to understand why Mr. Rochester would keep Grace Poole as one of his servants after she tried to burn down his bed (little did I know...). At that point in time, I felt that he was just a kind hearted man looking for the best, or didn't want to turn someone out who had been with him from the very beginning. It was after finding out that he was married that my ideas of him changed dramatically. I couldn't see him the same way anymore, but at the same time I wasn't sure that I wanted too.
Now, the next man in Janes life was St. John. I probably wont talk a lot about him, and that was just because I thought he was a pompous ass. There are times when you are right to say "Do this for your heavenly father because that is what he wished you to do" and there are times when you are wrong. And the majority of times that St. John was wrong when saying that are far more heavier then the times he says it right. I know that the ideas about marriage were different during that time, but I don't think that you needed to marry someone you didn't want to when you were independent. Especially not your cousin who you just found out about and have been treating him like a brother. And I believe that Jane had every right to say no to him. All the ten times she did. I missed talking about a majority about St. John just because I think the is so self-centered that he can't get his head out of his ass. I mean he wasn't one of those in your face, all controlling men, but the way that he treated Jane was just rude and inconsiderate.
There are a lot of other characters in this book that play minor but important parts that I haven't named but it may just be because I don't feel the need too. The book is a love story between Jane and Mr. Rochester and slightly the dreaded St. John (shudder). But mostly between Jane and Mr. Rochester. One thing about their relationship that bothered me, was the way that Jane continually called him sir even though they were engaged. And after everything. That's one thing that I didn't really like. I felt as though by her saying that, that she would be part of Mr. Rochesters property. But I feel that because Jane left and made her own way through the world changed her perspective drastically so she didn't feel like she needed to depend on him. And, when Jane came back and then Mr. Rochester had to depend on her for seeing because of the accident where he lost his eyes. I felt that because of that change I realized that their love was more than what I thought it would be.
On a random note about this book, when I first heard about Mr. Mason and how he had this big gaping hole in the side of his head and that "someone" had bit him, I had this strange sense that it was Grace Poole and she was possessed. And Mr. Mason was a priest coming to get rid of the demon. Yeah, I watched The Exorcist a lot as a child. Maybe that was just me though... Now, after hearing about how it was Mr. Masons sister who went crazy, I still think that she did the whole exorcist thing and her head turned around and she tried to eat him. I don't know why, seeing as I don't even know if demonic possessions are even real, but I just want it to be in a book to say, "oh yeah, I read that in blah blah blah".
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. And maybe that is just because I love reading 19th century literature or the way that they lived, but still. It was a fantastic book, but if you are going to try to read the Bronte sisters, I would so suggest reading this one first and just burning Wuthering Heights (I still haven't got over it).
Happy Reading!
Friday, September 3, 2010
The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle
The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle. (Published in the years of 1901 and 1902 in Strand Magazine. The Edition: I forgot to get it before I returned it to the library... I was trying to get ahead for school, but then ended up dropping the class) Whenever I read anything about Sherlock Holmes I have the strange urge to dress as a detective and start solving mysteries. Maybe that is the large appeal to the readers at the time, for it did become very popular. However, it was Doyle himself who did not love the character Holmes as much as his readers, and had wrote that Holmes died only to find his readers petrified. He then began the stories again saying that it was a false death. At least that is what I have heard. If it is wrong, please correct me. For now, I will state that I will not give away the ending in this story, just because I enjoy mystery novels for the thrill of trying to solve it before the detective does and I have a feeling that many others do as well. But still...**SPOILERS AHEAD**
Sherlock Holmes to me is not my favorite character of the stories. And he is not always the most appealing. The first story that I read of Sherlock Holmes was The Man With The Twisted Lip and when we first meet Holmes he is in disguise and doing opium. There was something that Holmes told Watson that I took to heart and it is "My eyes have been trained to examine faces and not their trimmings". People have got so attached to accessories that if something were to look exactly the same could you tell the difference? Holmes is one who also uses a large majority of disguises in order to solve many of his mysteries, however, in this story Holmes apparently takes a step back from this case and stays back in London for another. Or so we believe. Instantly, I knew that he would be using a disguise to see the case from another angle, and when Watson sees the man on the cliff, I imagined through the description of the way he was standing that it was indeed Holmes himself. And my observations were correct. The last chapter of this story, or any Sherlock Holmes mysteries, always seem to shed some light on the way that Holmes mind actually works and that is when he is describing how he solved the crime.
Watson, is definitely my favorite, most relate-able person and that may just be because he is the one who is narrating this mystery. (He does narrate almost all of the Holmes mysteries except for three) I was rooting for him, as he was searching through the mess of information that seemed to follow him as soon as he got there, to solve the crime himself. But, of course this isn't a novel about Watson, but Holmes. The one thing I did not like about the narration was the lack of information given about the solving of the crime, but looking back I realize that Watson wasn't the one with information and he too did not like that.
At the beginning of the novel, I did not think anything of the boot being stolen, only because I did not think that it would be a real hound. Maybe that is because I grew up with Scooby Doo and thought that it would some how be a contraption that would break down or something after/during the chase of Sir Henry. I really have no idea why I would think that, since this was published when the three wheeled car was still a popular motor-vehicle. However, after Holmes re-entered the story, it soon became apparent to me that yes there was a hound on the lose. I do though regret not looking at the title with more interest, just because Sherlock Holmes titles always seem to have a real meaning that you should be on the look out for. Once again in The Man With The Twisted Lip I never took another thought after reading about the man with a twisted lip, until hearing Holmes show the truth behind the disguise. Therefore, the next time that I read a Sherlock Holmes story, I will pay more attention to what the title is itself.
Otherwise, the story itself I quite enjoyed. I did read it within a day, and I even took a break to watch a couple hours of Supernatural to feel the thrill of a more modern Sherlock Holmes/horror mish-mash. I would say that most Holmes stories (short stories) are quite an easy read, and would encourage many to read them. They are, though, a little bit more harder to solve before the end then say a Scooby Doo episode or one of those Clue books. Now that I think about it, I enjoyed trying to solve those Clue books even though I was terrible at it. So maybe you will have better luck at solving the crime before I did, but then again not many people do. (By the way, sorry for continuously using TMWTTL but I felt the need too. Maybe one of these days I will do a review on that short story.)
Happy Reading!
Sherlock Holmes to me is not my favorite character of the stories. And he is not always the most appealing. The first story that I read of Sherlock Holmes was The Man With The Twisted Lip and when we first meet Holmes he is in disguise and doing opium. There was something that Holmes told Watson that I took to heart and it is "My eyes have been trained to examine faces and not their trimmings". People have got so attached to accessories that if something were to look exactly the same could you tell the difference? Holmes is one who also uses a large majority of disguises in order to solve many of his mysteries, however, in this story Holmes apparently takes a step back from this case and stays back in London for another. Or so we believe. Instantly, I knew that he would be using a disguise to see the case from another angle, and when Watson sees the man on the cliff, I imagined through the description of the way he was standing that it was indeed Holmes himself. And my observations were correct. The last chapter of this story, or any Sherlock Holmes mysteries, always seem to shed some light on the way that Holmes mind actually works and that is when he is describing how he solved the crime.
Watson, is definitely my favorite, most relate-able person and that may just be because he is the one who is narrating this mystery. (He does narrate almost all of the Holmes mysteries except for three) I was rooting for him, as he was searching through the mess of information that seemed to follow him as soon as he got there, to solve the crime himself. But, of course this isn't a novel about Watson, but Holmes. The one thing I did not like about the narration was the lack of information given about the solving of the crime, but looking back I realize that Watson wasn't the one with information and he too did not like that.
At the beginning of the novel, I did not think anything of the boot being stolen, only because I did not think that it would be a real hound. Maybe that is because I grew up with Scooby Doo and thought that it would some how be a contraption that would break down or something after/during the chase of Sir Henry. I really have no idea why I would think that, since this was published when the three wheeled car was still a popular motor-vehicle. However, after Holmes re-entered the story, it soon became apparent to me that yes there was a hound on the lose. I do though regret not looking at the title with more interest, just because Sherlock Holmes titles always seem to have a real meaning that you should be on the look out for. Once again in The Man With The Twisted Lip I never took another thought after reading about the man with a twisted lip, until hearing Holmes show the truth behind the disguise. Therefore, the next time that I read a Sherlock Holmes story, I will pay more attention to what the title is itself.
Otherwise, the story itself I quite enjoyed. I did read it within a day, and I even took a break to watch a couple hours of Supernatural to feel the thrill of a more modern Sherlock Holmes/horror mish-mash. I would say that most Holmes stories (short stories) are quite an easy read, and would encourage many to read them. They are, though, a little bit more harder to solve before the end then say a Scooby Doo episode or one of those Clue books. Now that I think about it, I enjoyed trying to solve those Clue books even though I was terrible at it. So maybe you will have better luck at solving the crime before I did, but then again not many people do. (By the way, sorry for continuously using TMWTTL but I felt the need too. Maybe one of these days I will do a review on that short story.)
Happy Reading!
Everything is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran Foer
Everything is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran Foer. (Published in 2002. The Edition: Harper Perennial (2002)) I'll be honest. When I first started reading this book I was confused and frustrated by the way that it was written. However, I soon realized that the authors purpose was for the readers to feel as though they themselves were Alex's friend. I felt as though I were Jonathan himself reading the letters and stories that Alex wrote to me. And what Jonathan wrote himself was what Alex was talking about and criticizing. So for the most of it, I will say that I enjoyed reading it after a while. But it was hard for me to understand a majority of what was happening because I am not Jewish or know much about the Jewish language and culture. However, it explained itself as the novel goes on and I soon grew attached to the characters, Alex and Jonathan, and to see what had happened to their friendship and their lives, when they were together and apart. **SPOILERS AHEAD**
Now at this point I would mostly talk about the major and minor characters, but there are way to many characters in this one to talk about the minor ones. So I have decided to talk about three major ones. Alex, Grandfather, and Jonathan.
Alex to me is living a lie most of the book. When I first started reading, I was under the impression that he was this handsome ladies man, but then through reading his letters you see that he is just a normal guy. I understand the need for this lying as it makes you want to be like this man, and it is only when you found out that he is just like you that you can completely fall in love with his character. His relationship with his young brother, Little Igor, was heartwarming and made me wish that I had a younger brother who could look up at an older sister. However through reading Grandfathers first and last letter to Jonathan, I believe that Little Igor was shown in a little bit more light and it also showed the larger picture of Alex's family life which he deemed necessary to leave a majority out.
Grandfather to me seemed like a crazy old man, much similar to my own. It was very easy for me to fall in love with his character. I could tell that he had something to hide about the war, as he was so reluctant in the first place to be the driver for Jonathan. I did not think that what had happened would have been his reason behind secrecy, and when I was reading through it, even though he had already said "And I murdered him", I secretly wished that there would be a turn of events and he would just say "they are all in the synagogue". But of course (much to my and Alex's dismay) we had to read about his sell out of his best friend. It did make a lot of sense to his character and how he does not talk much throughout the novel. I would have enjoyed learning more about Lista and his conversation that day.
Now Jonathan plays a very major role, even though besides what we have read from Alex's description we know nothing about him. He is the one who has written the stories about his great-great-great-great-great-grandmother (I hope that is enough greats) and all those who came before him. Also he is the reason this story has began, because he is searching for this woman Augustine who saved his Grandfather. There's not a lot to say about him and how I feel, but I need to mention how I was only getting half of the conversation between him and Alex, and I most definitely am, and wanted to read more into what was really being said. But I believe that he wrote it this way in order for the story to speak for itself.
Now, even though the story is written and about one named Jonathan Safran Foer, does not mean, in anyway, that they are the same person. This story is not at all based on his relatives lives, even if there are names that are somewhat similar, and even as writing that I don't believe they are. He originally started writing this as thesis for Princeton, which only continued to grow into the size of a novel.
The title I was a little confused about, but then I read of people making love during Trachimday and how they light up when they are in love. I loved reading the part about seeing the lights from space, and I constantly throughout reading it would look out for the oh-so-subtle words of "everything is illuminated".
In the end, it's not my favorite novel, but I did quite enjoy reading it and I believe that when I read it a second time, that I will be more open at the beginning and find more meaning throughout the entire novel and hopefully will soon find more enjoyment when reading it.
Happy Reading!
Now at this point I would mostly talk about the major and minor characters, but there are way to many characters in this one to talk about the minor ones. So I have decided to talk about three major ones. Alex, Grandfather, and Jonathan.
Alex to me is living a lie most of the book. When I first started reading, I was under the impression that he was this handsome ladies man, but then through reading his letters you see that he is just a normal guy. I understand the need for this lying as it makes you want to be like this man, and it is only when you found out that he is just like you that you can completely fall in love with his character. His relationship with his young brother, Little Igor, was heartwarming and made me wish that I had a younger brother who could look up at an older sister. However through reading Grandfathers first and last letter to Jonathan, I believe that Little Igor was shown in a little bit more light and it also showed the larger picture of Alex's family life which he deemed necessary to leave a majority out.
Grandfather to me seemed like a crazy old man, much similar to my own. It was very easy for me to fall in love with his character. I could tell that he had something to hide about the war, as he was so reluctant in the first place to be the driver for Jonathan. I did not think that what had happened would have been his reason behind secrecy, and when I was reading through it, even though he had already said "And I murdered him", I secretly wished that there would be a turn of events and he would just say "they are all in the synagogue". But of course (much to my and Alex's dismay) we had to read about his sell out of his best friend. It did make a lot of sense to his character and how he does not talk much throughout the novel. I would have enjoyed learning more about Lista and his conversation that day.
Now Jonathan plays a very major role, even though besides what we have read from Alex's description we know nothing about him. He is the one who has written the stories about his great-great-great-great-great-grandmother (I hope that is enough greats) and all those who came before him. Also he is the reason this story has began, because he is searching for this woman Augustine who saved his Grandfather. There's not a lot to say about him and how I feel, but I need to mention how I was only getting half of the conversation between him and Alex, and I most definitely am, and wanted to read more into what was really being said. But I believe that he wrote it this way in order for the story to speak for itself.
Now, even though the story is written and about one named Jonathan Safran Foer, does not mean, in anyway, that they are the same person. This story is not at all based on his relatives lives, even if there are names that are somewhat similar, and even as writing that I don't believe they are. He originally started writing this as thesis for Princeton, which only continued to grow into the size of a novel.
The title I was a little confused about, but then I read of people making love during Trachimday and how they light up when they are in love. I loved reading the part about seeing the lights from space, and I constantly throughout reading it would look out for the oh-so-subtle words of "everything is illuminated".
In the end, it's not my favorite novel, but I did quite enjoy reading it and I believe that when I read it a second time, that I will be more open at the beginning and find more meaning throughout the entire novel and hopefully will soon find more enjoyment when reading it.
Happy Reading!
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. (Published in 1847. Written under the fictitious name Ellis Bell. The Edition: Penguin Classics (1995)) Oh how you disappointed me. There I was, all ready to read a classic novel that I have heard of countless times, and yet when I start I wish I never did. **SPOILERS AHEAD**
How anyone could ever have read and fallen in love with Heathcliff astonishes me. I found him a hateful man and wished at times that he would curl over and die. However, I instantly felt for him when he was a young boy and overheard Catherine telling Nelly that she is going to marry Edgar for his money. That all disappeared though when he showed up three years later and ended up killing Catherine! Ah! I honestly at that point just wished that Heathcliff hadn't came back, because Catherine would have had a chance living a normal happy life. However, to be honest ,both Catherines to me at first, seemed just as hateful.
I'll start with Catherine Earnshaw, the original. I thought at times that Catherine and Heathcliff would be perfect together, if only this book didn't surround them and their relationship, or should I say "friendship". When Heathcliff leaves, I must say that I enjoyed Catherine a lot more, mainly because she went crazy, then suddenly became normal. When she died, I was constantly wishing that Heathcliff would just throw himself into her grave and die right then and there. But no, the book had to continue on with his schemes.
The second Catherine, deemed Cathy, was much more enjoyable as a child. I hated her at first, mainly because I didn't understand why she could be so hateful and mean to everyone at Wuthering Heights. However, like Mr. Lockwood (the one the story is being told too) my affection for her grew as I learned her story. I felt as though Heathcliff had planned keeping her locked up and marrying his son as soon as he found out he had one. I did start to enjoy the novel at the end, with learning about Cathy and Hareton and how there relationship had taken a change. I really wanted them to end up together after reading their first meeting. I knew at that point that Hareton had a thing for his cousin, but it would take a strong headed girl, like Cathy, a while longer to fall in love with him.
I really have nothing to say about Linton, Heathcliff's son. I found that I could of liked him, but he was just so self centered that I didn't care for him. I felt that Heathcliff tried to do right by him (strangely I know), but still ended up just hating him like he hated everyone else. After Lintons death I was quite more willing to read the rest of the novel.
Out of the minor characters, Nelly was my favorite. Now I know that she was the one narrating the story so she should be considered one of main characters, however most of it was what she had learned second hand through Cathy and others. So I will stick behind my saying that she is a minor character. I mean, if you had picked up this novel and the first four chapters had been ripped out, you wouldn't have known that Nelly was the narrator until later on in the novel when she takes a break.
Now, like I said in the paragraph above, how anyone could fall in love with Heathcliff astonishes me. For example, Isabella. How stupid are you!!! After how many people warned you of him, after watching him as a child abuse your brother, and after everything!! why must you fall in love with his brute face? And after the first realization that this would be a miserable marriage, why the hell would you still sleep with him? Unless he forced you, then that's a different story. But still! Urg! (Yes. I just talked to a fictional character in a book. I do that sometimes.)
The next I will talk about Edgar and Hindley at the same time. They are both very similar, in being that they doted on their wives constantly, while they were alive. However, after their wives death (both ending up with a child) only one was able to truly look past the death, and that was Edgar. I believe that it was because Cathy was born a girl that he was able to get past the death of his wife, even though he had wished for a son. Weird I know. But I believe that only because he doted on her most of the time, except when he was in mourning for his wife. Which incidentally was Cathys birthday. It is Hindley that I was most frustrated with. If your wife had a child and survived for a while longer, then passed away, how is it that you still lay blame on him. I know that it was not stated but I felt as though he was constantly blaming Hareton for his misery after his wifes death. The drinking and brandy was a way for him to get away. When Hindley found out that Nelly hadn't killed Hareton, he had been drinking and tried to kill him. It was either that he lay blame on him for his wifes death, or that he didnt want the constant reminder of his wife around his house.
Joseph. I could barely understand. I mean most of the time I really had to try hard to read what he was saying, but after a while I just got so sick of Wuthering Heights altogether that I stopped trying to read what he said, then missed a shit load of stuff. IMPORTANT: Actually read what Joseph says.
Overall, I feel like I should love this book because it is a classic and by a Bronte sister, but I don't. Quite the opposite really. I can honestly say, and will thoroughly enjoy debating my reasons behind why, that I hate. No despise this book. I literally would not have finished reading this in three days, unless 1) I enjoyed reading it or 2) wanted to finish it faster so I never had to read it again. The latter is my reason behind finishing it quickly. The really sad part is, I am going to have to read this again during my 19th Century Literature course this semester. Oh boy, will my class hate me and my forceful words of hate behind this book.
Happy reading!
How anyone could ever have read and fallen in love with Heathcliff astonishes me. I found him a hateful man and wished at times that he would curl over and die. However, I instantly felt for him when he was a young boy and overheard Catherine telling Nelly that she is going to marry Edgar for his money. That all disappeared though when he showed up three years later and ended up killing Catherine! Ah! I honestly at that point just wished that Heathcliff hadn't came back, because Catherine would have had a chance living a normal happy life. However, to be honest ,both Catherines to me at first, seemed just as hateful.
I'll start with Catherine Earnshaw, the original. I thought at times that Catherine and Heathcliff would be perfect together, if only this book didn't surround them and their relationship, or should I say "friendship". When Heathcliff leaves, I must say that I enjoyed Catherine a lot more, mainly because she went crazy, then suddenly became normal. When she died, I was constantly wishing that Heathcliff would just throw himself into her grave and die right then and there. But no, the book had to continue on with his schemes.
The second Catherine, deemed Cathy, was much more enjoyable as a child. I hated her at first, mainly because I didn't understand why she could be so hateful and mean to everyone at Wuthering Heights. However, like Mr. Lockwood (the one the story is being told too) my affection for her grew as I learned her story. I felt as though Heathcliff had planned keeping her locked up and marrying his son as soon as he found out he had one. I did start to enjoy the novel at the end, with learning about Cathy and Hareton and how there relationship had taken a change. I really wanted them to end up together after reading their first meeting. I knew at that point that Hareton had a thing for his cousin, but it would take a strong headed girl, like Cathy, a while longer to fall in love with him.
I really have nothing to say about Linton, Heathcliff's son. I found that I could of liked him, but he was just so self centered that I didn't care for him. I felt that Heathcliff tried to do right by him (strangely I know), but still ended up just hating him like he hated everyone else. After Lintons death I was quite more willing to read the rest of the novel.
Out of the minor characters, Nelly was my favorite. Now I know that she was the one narrating the story so she should be considered one of main characters, however most of it was what she had learned second hand through Cathy and others. So I will stick behind my saying that she is a minor character. I mean, if you had picked up this novel and the first four chapters had been ripped out, you wouldn't have known that Nelly was the narrator until later on in the novel when she takes a break.
Now, like I said in the paragraph above, how anyone could fall in love with Heathcliff astonishes me. For example, Isabella. How stupid are you!!! After how many people warned you of him, after watching him as a child abuse your brother, and after everything!! why must you fall in love with his brute face? And after the first realization that this would be a miserable marriage, why the hell would you still sleep with him? Unless he forced you, then that's a different story. But still! Urg! (Yes. I just talked to a fictional character in a book. I do that sometimes.)
The next I will talk about Edgar and Hindley at the same time. They are both very similar, in being that they doted on their wives constantly, while they were alive. However, after their wives death (both ending up with a child) only one was able to truly look past the death, and that was Edgar. I believe that it was because Cathy was born a girl that he was able to get past the death of his wife, even though he had wished for a son. Weird I know. But I believe that only because he doted on her most of the time, except when he was in mourning for his wife. Which incidentally was Cathys birthday. It is Hindley that I was most frustrated with. If your wife had a child and survived for a while longer, then passed away, how is it that you still lay blame on him. I know that it was not stated but I felt as though he was constantly blaming Hareton for his misery after his wifes death. The drinking and brandy was a way for him to get away. When Hindley found out that Nelly hadn't killed Hareton, he had been drinking and tried to kill him. It was either that he lay blame on him for his wifes death, or that he didnt want the constant reminder of his wife around his house.
Joseph. I could barely understand. I mean most of the time I really had to try hard to read what he was saying, but after a while I just got so sick of Wuthering Heights altogether that I stopped trying to read what he said, then missed a shit load of stuff. IMPORTANT: Actually read what Joseph says.
Overall, I feel like I should love this book because it is a classic and by a Bronte sister, but I don't. Quite the opposite really. I can honestly say, and will thoroughly enjoy debating my reasons behind why, that I hate. No despise this book. I literally would not have finished reading this in three days, unless 1) I enjoyed reading it or 2) wanted to finish it faster so I never had to read it again. The latter is my reason behind finishing it quickly. The really sad part is, I am going to have to read this again during my 19th Century Literature course this semester. Oh boy, will my class hate me and my forceful words of hate behind this book.
Happy reading!
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