Catherine and Cathy's Love: Different yet the Same (Summative Journal)

As I kept reading the novel Wuthering Heights, by Emily Bronte, I noticed how there were many similarities between the relationships held by Catherine Earnshaw and Young Catherine. Upon bringing this up with my group and looking deeper into their relationships, I noticed even more.

The similarity that first jumped out at me was how Cathy (Young Catherine) and Catherine (Old Catherine) both felt too superior for whom they truly would have loved if all formalities and statuses were cast aside. Heathcliff and Catherine had undeniable chemistry from their childhood, yet Catherine would not marry him for it "would degrade her" (82). Her daughter had the same issue with pride as she did. Cathy ridiculed Hareton Earnshaw from the moment she met him due to his ungentlemanly manner and uneducated mind, not even noticing his truly kind heart. As Heathcliff remarked, Hareton is “gold put to the use of paving stones”; sadly Cathy doesn’t take the time to find that sparkle hidden within him (211). She instead was attracted to whiny, incapable Young Linton,for he came across as more finished and cultured. Cathy convinced herself she was in love with him, despite how often he mistreated and manipulated her. Her mother also settled for marrying someone who, although she loved him, she knew she’d never love as much as she loved Heathcliff.

As much as there were many similarities in the love lives of Catherine and Cathy, they are also strikingly different. Catherine’s love with Heathcliff is based on the fact that they each believe they are one another. When Catherine uttered “I am Heathcliff”, it can be said she doesn’t feel like herself without him (84). In contrast, her daughter’s relationship with Hareton, although strong, is two individuals living together harmoniously. They grow, change, and are different, yet their love is still very strong.  

Before it was too late; however, both Catherine and Cathy caved to their true emotions and accepted loving whomever they were meant to be with: regardless of social hiatus. Realizing that love was far stronger than pride, both girls eventually succumbed to their true feelings, even if it was on their deathbed.

The issue of choosing between marrying for true love or for the sake of customs and tradition is everywhere on the globe and has been all throughout history. It seems to be getting less and less, yet there are many places where marrying for love is not a concern. Many people in certain cultures are accustomed to having a life partner picked out for them by their parents on a strictly materialistic basis. Money and family background are usually the basis of many choices. That is likely why this book is so engrossing: it plays on that controversial idea of marrying for love over custom.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My group continued to grow and challenge the themes of the novel this week. Many of my ideas on the similarities between Cathy and Catherine came from delving deep into the topic in our discussion. I asked a lot of questions and offered insight into others' questions as well. We each contributed examples to back up our arguments, which was great; however, I think if we could find actual quotes our arguments would be even stronger. 

Parallel Loves (Formative Journal, April 11th)

As I kept reading the novel Wuthering Heights, by Emily Bronte, I noticed how there were many similarities between the relationships of Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw, and Hareton Earnshaw and Young Catherine. Upon bringing this up with my group and looking deeper into their relationships, I noticed even more.

The similarity that first jumped out at me was how Cathy (Young Catherine) and Catherine (Old Catherine) both felt too superior for who they truly would have loved if all formalities and statuses were cast aside. Heathcliff and Catherine had undeniable chemistry from their childhood, yet Catherine would not marry him for it "would degrade her" (82). Her daughter had the same issue with pride as she did. Cathy ridiculed Hareton Earnshaw from the moment she met him due to his ungentlemanly manner and uneducated mind, not even noticing his truly kind heart. She instead was attracted to whiny, incapable Young Linton because he came across as more finished and cultured. Cathy convinced herself she was in love with him, despite how often he mistreated and manipulated her. Catherine did something of the same sort. Ruling out Heathcliff, Catherine settled for marrying Linton when deep inside her she knew she would never love him as much as she loved Heathcliff.

Before it was too late; however, both Catherine and Cathy caved to their true emotions and fell into true love with whom they were meant to be with. Their equally quick wittedness and vivacious personality attracted more than the classic cultured gentleman. Once each woman accepted her love for the less traditional choice, she felt content in her life.

The issue of marrying for true love or for the sake of customs and tradition is everywhere on the globe and has been all throughout history. It seems to be getting less and less, yet there are many places where marrying for love is not a concern. That is likely why this book is so engrossing: it plays on that controversial idea of marrying for love over custom.

This week my group did very well, with every member consistently contributing to the discussion. We are building on the eachother's ideas and pulling in rich examples to back up our own opinions--we don't always agree! It's a great tool to always be able to clarify and ask for feedback with my group, they are always able to deliver enlightening insight that enriches my ideas.         

Catherine's Love

[Summative Journal Entry: Journal Number 2 Revised with a t-t connection and better title,
I recopied the entire journal to make it flow and so i could tie it in, but the main difference is the third paragraph i added with my connection.]

I think this journal is improved because of the connection I made. It added another good insight into the plotline and the structure of the plot. I noticed a pattern happening and realized how both fabulous writers used around the same technique to draw the reader into the book.

As I progressed through the novel Wuthering Heights, by Emily Bronte this week, many more layers began unfolding. Depth that I wasn't yet aware of and twists that changed how I thought of characters were occurring as I kept reading. What I found the most surprising was how shallow Catherine really had become. I knew she had changed and was far from the free-spirited, rebellious child that ran through muddy fields alongside Heathcliff, but she struck a new low with me when she slapped Nelly for the very foolish reason of wanting her to leave the living room so Catherine could have privacy with Linton. Thank goodness he noticed and did not think very highly of it, yet, as Nelly put it: "there will be no saving him-he's doomed, and flies to his fate!"(74). Although Catherine is a foolish, shallow young woman, he was in love with her and she had utter control over him.

Just as I concluded to myself; however, that Cathering was going to forever be her new and obnoxiously petulant self, she did something that made me take another look. She asked Nelly if it was the right decision to marry Linton. She clearly wants to, and her new self that enjoys materialistic things would be forever satisfied. Despite this, you can tell she is struggling with her decision. Just by asking, I can tell she knows she is not making the decision for the right reasons. Ending the conversation by confessing her love for Heathcliff to Nelly, I saw a light in Catherine that I thought was extinguished long ago. Now I see hope for her, and I think she knows something needs to change too.

As I read, I could not help but think of how much Catherine's relationship with Heathcliff was beginning to look similar to Elizabeth's relationship with Mr. Darcy from the novel Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen. Both Heathcliff and Darcy are reserved, mysterious characters who intrigue the readers and who are deeply changed by their loved ones: Catherine and Elizabeth. In Pride and Prejudice, Mr. Darcy's first proposal, to his astonishment, is rejected by Elizabeth for she is digusted by his manner, and he goes into a bit of a depression. This slump; however, later turns around into his epiphany and great change of character. Heathcliff, much like Mr. Darcy, feels rejected when he hears Catherine say it would "degrade her to marry Heathcliff"(82). He leaves, and goes into a three-year period of misery where all he thinks about is Catherine. Coming back a slightly changed man, he also changes his life for her love. Although different in many aspects, these two novels are alike in that way.

My group did well this week. We got past the hump of a never-ending stream of introducing characters and relationships. It's much easier to read now and we can get to the issues that are behind the characters instead of trying to find out whats going on. We all participate and theres always questioning going on, especially around who Cathering really loves. We continue to delve deeper into the story and its only getting better!

Response

I like that you are seeing the deeper layers in the book. You are also supporting your writng. Now can you go beyound adn make a connection to some of the questions you are discussing and either tw tt ts. This will develop your writing even further and help addd insight to your writing. You are on the right path.

Journal #2

As I progressed through the novel Wuthering Heights, by Emily Bronte this week, many more layers began unfolding. Depth that I wasn't yet aware of and twists that changed how I thought of characters were occurring as I kept reading. What I found the most surprising was how shallow Catherine really had become. I knew she had changed and was far from the free-spirited, rebellious child that ran through muddy fields alongside Heathcliff, but she struck a new low with me when she slapped Nelly for the very foolish reason of wanting her to leave the living room so Catherine could have privacy with Linton. Thank goodness he noticed and did not think very highly of it, yet, as Nelly put it: "there will be no saving him-he's doomed, and flies to his fate!"(74). Although Catherine is a foolish, shallow young woman, he was in love with her and she had utter control over him.

Just as I concluded to myself; however, that Cathering was going to forever be her new and obnoxiously petulant self, she did something that made me take another look. She asked Nelly if it was the right decision to marry Linton. She clearly wants to, and her new self that enjoys materialistic things would be forever satisfied. Despite this, you can tell she is struggling with her decision. Just by asking, I can tell she knows she is not making the decision for the right reasons. Ending the conversation by confessing her love for Heathcliff to Nelly, I saw a light in Catherine that I thought was extinguished long ago. Now I see hope for her, and I think she knows something needs to change too.

My group did well this week. We got past the hump of a never-ending stream of introducing characters and relationships. It's much easier to read now and we can get to the issues that are behind the characters instead of trying to find out whats going on. We all participate and theres always questioning going on, especially around who Cathering really loves. We continue to delve deeper into the story and its only getting better!

response

You have discovered the benefits of working in a group when working through novels. I agree and warned you that your novel is challenging. Especially in the beginning. Yet having the group will help you work through it to see where they are coming from and wher you are at. Now as you respond and you mention your understanding of relationships and characters, try and bring in specific evidence to help support and back up what you are saying. How did you discover the flashback piece, how did you see the who was who etc. Give me details- what shed the light for you as you read- what line was it, what scent or moment clued you in, and how did you figure it out. Your meta cognition piece brings in the details nicely by the way. I think you have a good group.

Wuthering Heights - Formative Journal #1

This was my group's very first week of lit circles so we were just getting the feel for it. Wuthering Heights is a relatively difficult bok to read with a rather confusing beginning. Figuring out the characters and their relations took up a good deal of our discussions this week. The book also has flashbacks to a time many years earlier involving the same characters, so hammering out who was who and what they had done was pretty tough at the start.I think my group made great progress from our puzzled beginning to really starting to figure out the story.

I believe I did well in my lit circle this week. I, along with my entire group, was asking questions and trying to figure out the story at the beginning: something that has proven essential to enjoying this novel. Although my group members were a little confused at the start too, we each knew little things. Collectively, we managed a whole lot! I managed to understand the connection between Heathcliff and Hareton Earnshaw, as well as I am coming to understand the family tree.I have not had the need to pull anyone in my group in because they have all also been actively participating. My group has begun to discuss the issues arising, but since it is the beginning not many of these have come up yet. I sense, and know from my reading, that there will be much more to discuss in the following group discussions.