Welcome to Wuthering Heights Wednesday! I’m hosting a read-along of this classic novel, and we’re reading (and posting about) 3 chapters a week. Joining me in this adventure are:
- Literate Housewife
- Vivienne( Serendipidy)
- Messy Karen
- Victoria
- Jenny (Take Me Away)
- Ti (Book Chatter)
- Lisa – Lit And Life
- Dar@ Peeking Between the Pages
- J.C. Montgomery (The Biblio Blogazine)
- Whitney
- JoAnn (Lakeside Musing)
- Gentle Reader (Shelf Life)
- Amy at New Century Reading
- Geri at One More Foggy Notion
- Rob at Books are Like Candy Corn
- Trish at Love, Laughter and a Touch of Insanity
Each week I’ll be posting a synopsis (which could contain spoilers, so fair warning) and my thoughts. Here we go…
Chapters 5-7 (of Volume II)
My synopsis:
The first two chapters in this trio were very short. To summarize, Isabella dies and Edgar brings Linton home to Thrushcross Grange. This is short-lived, however, as Heathcliff exercises his parental rights and demands Linton come to live at Wuthering Heights. Linton sniffles and whines, and everyone tells him to buck up…his father’s a good chap and loves him very much. Basically, they all lied to his face. I’d feel sorry for the poor guy if he wasn’t such a whiny little brat.
In Chapter 8, Catherine II goes for a walk on the moors and runs into Heathcliff, who convinces her to stop by for a neighborly visit, much to Nelly’s disgust. At Wuthering Heights she meets Linton (again) who has grown up to be not so peevish looking (although he is still whiny). Here’s a hilarious description of both Linton and Catherine II:
“Catherine had reached her full height; her figure was both plump and slender (??), elastic as steel (????), and her whole aspect sparkling with health and spirits (she sounds like champagne). Linton’s looks and movements were very languid, and his form extremely slight; but there was grace in his manner that mitigated these defects, and rendered him not unpleasing.” p. 220
Evidently, it was love at first sight and the two start sending love letters to each other. Even Nelly, when she discovered their hijinks, was doubtful that they could fall in love over a few meetings.
My thoughts:
Things are starting to heat up again! Heathcliff, that conniver, has hopes for a marriage between his son and Catherine II. Edgar would be appalled if he knew. I’m surprised no one is concerned about the possible effects of inbreeding…after all, they are cousins.
Not sure if they thought about inbreeding back then–wasn’t it common for even royals to marry first cousins?
hahahaha concerned about the affects on inbreeding! That’s a good one. Even if they had any idea I doubt Heathcliff would care. In fact, it would probably make his revenge that much sweeter!
.-= Victoria´s last blog ..Wuthering Heights Wednesdays Volume 2 Chapters 5-7 =-.
I love that: plump AND slender? elastic as STEEL? Well, I guess we can say she has it all…
At this point I don’t think anyone gives a damn about the children’s welfare, they all seem to be in it for themselves. I agree with you about the inbreeding, it just seems wrong. Unfortunately, I don’t think family trees mattered much here.
.-= Whitney´s last blog ..Wuthering Heights Wednesday Week 7 =-.
The more I read these recap reviews, the more I want to read this book again and more carefully. I had a hard time with Heathcliff the first time around ( not to mention Cathy), but I am wondering if I was really being fair, or just jumping on the bandwagon. I think it’s true that Heathcliff had a less than stellar childhood, and maybe if I can read with an eye to not forgetting that, his actions later on will make more sense. Great synopsis, by the way!
.-= zibilee´s last blog ..Wish Her Safe at Home by Stephen Benetar – 240 pgs =-.
I don’t think we’ll get to see the third generation (although not sure if there is one–hope not!!), but can you imagine how crazy they’d be from the inbreeding? Don’t these people venture out of the neighborhood at all?
.-= Trish´s last blog ..Wuthering Heights Wednesday: Vol II 1-7 (15-21) =-.
I love how “not un-pleasing” is supposed to be a compliment.
Cathy and her effervescent self needs to get a grip. Having an affair with Joseph would be more appealing than getting it on with your COUSIN.
.-= Ti´s last blog ..Review & Book Tour: Let the Great World Spin =-.
Loved that “plump and slender” description! Things are starting to get interesting again…
.-= JoAnn´s last blog ..Wuthering Heights Wednesday: Week 7 =-.
The cousins thing bothered me too, at first, until I realized that it really wasn’t that big a deal at the time. But … trying to set up your hated son with the daughter of the woman you really loved? That’s just weird. I would’ve thought that maybe Mini-Cathy would be the one he would try to be nice to. (Also, I secretly wonder if maybe Mini-Cathy is really Heathcliff’s, and Mini-Linton is really Edgar’s. That would explain their very different attitudes.
My thoughts are here!
Wanted you to know I have an award for you at my blog!
.-= Julie´s last blog ..Winning Wednesday 2 =-.
This is so much more enjoyable than when I read it myself back in 2005.
.-= bybee´s last blog ..Challenge Check =-.