Welcome to Wuthering Heights Wednesday! Softdrink is hosting a read-along of this classic novel, and we’re reading (and posting about) 3 chapters a week.
Chapters 4 through 6
My Synopsis:
As you may recall from last week’s post, Lockwood spent a very uncomfortable night amongst Catherine’s things and spent most of the night tossing and turning, so as soon as it was light enough to leave, he did. Upon his return home, he is met by Mrs. Dean, who after making Lockwood as comfortable as he can be, spends the evening gossiping about Mr. Heathcliff and the family that occupies his home.
Turns out that Heathcliff was found by the senior Earnshaw when he was just a young child. Mr. Earnshaw brought him home to his family and was surprised by how they reacted to him. Hindley, Earnshaw’s son by blood, detested Heathcliff from first glance. Young Catherine did not care for him at first, but they grow to be very close in a short amount of time. After the senior Earnshaw passes, Hindley goes away to school only to come back with a wife, which surprises everyone, Heathcliff included.
Mrs. Earnshaw is pretty agreeable and seems to get along well with the rest of the household, but with her moving in, the rest are asked to live in other parts of the house so that Hindley and his new wife can make a home for themselves. In no time at all, she expresses a dislike for Heathcliff which reminds Hindley just how much he despises the young man.
Young Catherine (Cathy) and Heathcliff take off for the moors for the day and end up getting themselves in quite a bit of trouble. They end up at Thrushcross Grange and Cathy is attacked and injured by Mr. Linton’s dog. When they discover who she is, they simply cannot fathom her being with such a gypsy as Heathcliff so they send him on his way, and cater to Cathy and her well-being. Heathcliff doesn’t want to leave Cathy there but has no choice, so he returns home and pays dearly for his lack of judgment.
My Thoughts:
It’s a tad hard keeping track of all the players. Their family names all seem to cross at some point (Linton & Earnshaw) so there are a couple of Mr. Earnshaws, and the use of first names and last but never together, you get the idea. I was surprised to hear Heathcliff’s background. I’m not sure what I expected but I didn’t expect him to be an orphan. Now the animosity within the family makes a bit more sense.
As confused as I am at times by their names and who they are referring to, I am really enjoying the story. Lockwood’s interest in them is sort of comical at times but with them being so mysterious it’s no wonder he has questions about them.
Reading along:
If this sounds like fun, why don’t you join us?
Book Chatter 