About the Book
"Wuthering Heights" is a novel by Emily Brontë that has repeatedly been chosen as the most romantic novel in English literature. The story revolves around the intense love between a girl and a boy named Catherine and Heathcliff, which is transformed into a beautiful tale through delightful details provided by the author, as well as the obstacles thrown in the way of their relationship.
The book begins with Mr. Lockwood's arrival at Wuthering Heights. Lockwood, who intends to rent one of Mr. Heathcliff's estates, goes to greet the homeowner out of politeness but becomes somewhat disheartened by his rather unpleasant demeanor. He then meets and converses with Nelly Dean, the housekeeper, to gather information about Mr. Heathcliff and a lady named Catherine Earnshaw.
The narrator of the book, Nelly, begins her tale by explaining that Catherine's father brought a man named Heathcliff to Wuthering Heights, their home, and their acquaintance sets off a series of events. Meanwhile, the eldest son of the Earnshaw family, Hindley, disregarding the affectionate relationship between his sister and Mr. Heathcliff, begins to humiliate and torment him, continuing this behavior until Heathcliff harbors a deep grudge against him.
Hindley does not relent and forbids Catherine and Heathcliff from meeting. After the Earnshaw family becomes acquainted with the Linton family, Catherine marries Edgar Linton, a member of this aristocratic family. This event marks the beginning of a new chapter in which revenge plays a significant role, and various characters become involved in these affairs.
About the Author
Emily Brontë was a British writer and poet born on July 30, 1818, in Thornton, Yorkshire, England. During her short life, she experienced various failures and diverse experiences. She had three sisters (Charlotte, Anne, and Maria) and one brother (Branwell). Her father was a clergyman, and her mother passed away in her youth, leaving her eldest sister to care for the children. She also wrote poems that she published in a collection with her sisters Charlotte and Anne, and ultimately passed away from tuberculosis on December 19, 1848, at the age of 30.
Who should read this book?
This book is recommended for those interested in romantic stories, especially classic novels that feature thoughtful ups and downs as well as diverse characters.
Book Quotes
The spirit, regardless of its composition, shares the same essence as yours and mine.
He used to say that the best thing to do on a hot July day is to lie down from morning till night on a patch of grass in the middle of the thicket, while the bees buzz among the flowers, singing lullabies, skylarks sing overhead, the sky is blue and cloudless, and the sun shines continuously. This was his entire conception of heavenly happiness.
From his appearance, I could tell he had qualities better than his father's. Of course, virtues remain hidden among wild grasses because the thickness of the grass prevents us from seeing the healthy roots; however, healthy soil under suitable conditions will certainly yield a better harvest.
I don’t know if this feeling is unique to me, but when I look at a corpse in the room of death, it’s unlikely that any emotion other than happiness will come over me. In the dead, we see a tranquility that neither the earthly nor the heavenly disturbs, and I am reassured by an endless and luminous afterlife... an eternity to which the dead have gone... a place where life has no temporal boundaries, love has no limits of the heart, and joy knows no end.
You realize you have fallen in love when you find you don’t want to sleep because reality has become sweeter than your dreams.
Don’t forget that your kindness beautifies you and makes you appear lovely in the eyes of others, even if your complexion is dark.
But eventually, the day came when that pleasant and calm state came to an end. When two people who seem to be close and agreeable realize that they truly have contradictions in some respects, and what one loves does not please the other, their relationship will inevitably become strained.
Mr. Lockwood gradually realized that Heathcliff was not as eager to entertain guests as he had thought and did not particularly like strangers. However, he remained ambivalent between these two feelings and tried to conclude this acquaintance ceremony and return to his home and life.
I lingered for a while under the pleasant sky and wandered around there. I watched the butterflies fluttering among the bushes and spikes. I listened to the gentle sound of the wind rustling through the grass and thought about how one could imagine that those asleep in this soil are restless sleepers. I reflect: Oh wretched man, you too have a heart beating in your chest like other beings and nerves that react to sorrows and joys. Why do you futilely try to hide your heart's reaction to hearing news of this tragedy? Why do you wish to pretend that you haven’t lost your composure and calm? Your arrogance cannot deceive God.
But what I longed for was to swing from a green tree whose leaves rustle, with a westerly wind blowing and white clouds quickly passing overhead. Not only skylarks but also blackbirds, goldfinches, red-breasted robins, and cuckoos should sing from all sides. The thicket should be visible from afar, with shaded cool recesses nearby, and tall waves of grass swaying in the breeze, along with forests and the sound of water, while the whole world awakens and overflows with joy.
Do not have the demeanor of a stray dog that thinks every kick it receives is deserved and hates the world as much as the one who kicks it.
For a moment, I thought he was speaking to me, and while I was very angry, I approached this vile old man with the intention of kicking him out of the room. But Mrs. Heathcliff stopped me with her response. She said: “You detestable hypocritical old man! When you mention hell, don’t you fear that you might end up there too? I warn you to refrain from provoking me; otherwise, I will bring upon you a calamity that you will enjoy. Wait and see, Joseph; look.” While saying these last words, she took a dark book from the shelf and continued: “Now I will tell you how much I have advanced in witchcraft, and soon I will be able to do anything. That red cow didn’t die by chance; besides, your rheumatism has nothing to do with fate.”
The old man gasped: “Oh, wicked creature! May God protect me from evil! No, you corrupt and vile old man! You are lost in delusion. Get lost or you will see what calamity I will bring upon you. I will turn you into a statue of wax and clay, and anyone who dares interfere with my work—well, I won’t say what calamity will befall them; just wait and see. Get out; I swear I will begin my work.”
