Well after struggling through the first three chapters I broke down and bought the Coles Notes. I felt stupid buying it because it means that I wasn't smart enough to make it through the actual book, but now I am so happy I did. It had a plot summary which gave me huge insight into what the whole book was about. Before reading it, I felt like I was watching a movie without seeing the preview first. Reading the Coles version of the chapter after I've read the actual chapter has helped to cement in my mind what went on. This was more important for the first three chapter when I was so confused but as I get into the love story between Catherine and Heathcliff I could understand through only Emily's words. I don't know if I'm just getting used to the aged writing style or that the Coles Notes are really working.
I really began to love the Heathcliff/Catherine relationship when Catherines's father died and the two of them consoled each other and talked of what Heaven was like. That scene was so touching and so pure that it brought a tear to my eye. Their bond seems to be so strong and I love how they always have each other's back.
I said in my first Wuthering Heights post that I couldn't understand why Heathcliff was such a romantic hero. This is because at that time (pre-Coles Notes) I wasn't aware that the love story had already unfolded. Now I can see the charm in Heathcliff that Catherine undoubtedly saw as well. Mischievous, strong, beautiful, fun, and always up for an adventure. I am fascinated by how strong his love for Catherine is. The flip side of that is that as hard as he loves, he hates just the same. He is a passionate man and his emotions are always severe.
The one thing in the book that I will NEVER understand is what the hell Joseph is saying. Even when I read out loud I cannot understand anything that comes out of his mouth. So I just skip it and hope that it wasn't very important.
A character that I have great sympathy for is Isabella, Edgar's sister. I feel like she is a good person but is so second rate. Never the star, never too exciting. always just accepting what she can get. I actually feel sorry for all of the Isabellas of the world that will never be somebody's first choice. It just makes me really sad.
The Coles Notes also had a big section on the life of Emily Bronte which made me want to read Wuthering Heights even more than I had. Learning about what a strong-willed, passionate, brilliant woman she was completely intrigued me and made me want to read every word she wrote out of respect for who she was. She seems like someone who was ahead of her times and some that I would have liked to have known.
I'm not going to do any vocab for this book as it seems quite outdated and I'm sure if I tried using those words in my day to day life people wound think I was out of my mind.
So far I am completely obsessed with this book. I can't get enough of it and I am overly excited to get home from work tonight, pour a glass of wine and dive right back in!
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