Comments on: Question of the Week ~ Wuthering Heights

By: David Barkley

David Barkley — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 00:20:42 +0000

I’m putting on my Real Estate Profit Coach hat and working deals in Nashville for Panera Properties this week, in adding to my possess deals.

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By: Chrystallyn

Chrystallyn — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 01:10:22 +0000

I haven’t read Wuthering Heights however I have read the Twilight Saga and I must disagree on some of your points. For one thing, I don’t think Edward was controlling. Of course, there was the issue with visiting Jacob, but that was within good reason. Look at Emily. Sam loved her with all of his heart and he still almost killed her because she just HAPPENED to be standing too close. Given Bella’s accident prone history, Edward was frantic with the thought of her getting hurt. As many situations where Bella is in the wrong place at the wrong time (i.e. walking down the street in Seattle in Twilight) you would think that when actual danger was there she would be the first to go. He did not understand Bella’s insistence on going but Bella knew Jacob better than he did. I don’t remember the exact quote but I THINK it was in Eclipse while Edward and Bella spent the night together in his room. She told Edward that she didn’t think he could hurt her. Not that he wasn’t physically able to, but that psychologically he loved her so much that he would automatically stop himself before he caused her actual harm. (serious paraphrase) An example would be in Twilight when Edward didn’t think he could stop drinking her blood, but he did. Edward did not understand that the same concept applied for Jacob, but Bella did. Edward’s train of thought was Jacob = Wolf = No Self Control. He wasn’t controlling her, he was trying his best to protect her and even protect her from herself if need be.
Another point that I disagree with would be that Edward and Bella were weaker than Catherine and Heathcliff. Bella’s psyche was not necessarily weak, she was simply ripped out of an environment and did not know how to react. Humans are social creatures, but Bella didn’t want to associate with anyone once Edward was gone. It’s common knowledge that the mind will start to deteriorate if it is put through the kind of seclusion as Bella was when she went through her “numb” era. You must remember, Bella had not been alone for more than half an hour since she started socializing with Edward. He stayed with her while she slept, every moment she was alone at home (save for the bathroom), every moment at school and her weekends were spent with him in the woods (I think you catch my drift). Bella was strong in that she did not think to kill herself. A testament to her vague, if distant, consideration for her human/wolf loved ones if any was present during that time. Edward, also was not weak when he decided to kill himself. Unlike Heathcliff, he had the rest of eternity to live without Bella. Perhaps if he had a couple of decades, like Heathcliff, he would have just struggled through it but FOREVER? I feel a bit argumentative at the moment, but I felt like the Twilight Saga at least was wrongly talked about. I admit, the books aren’t epically written, but especially through a few reads I think you should be able to admit that it is less about the way it is written than the depth that the characters have.

By: Miss Murder

Miss Murder — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 21:15:24 +0000

Catherine wasn’t stupid. She was selfish, but not stupid. She knew exactly what she was doing, she knew how badly it would hurt Heathcliff, and she knew how badly she COULD hurt Edgar. She had her reasons. If you’d paid more attention to the book than it’s attribution to Twilight, you’d have realized that. She was getting revenge. Edgar was no innocent victim. He knew she loved Heathcliff, and he didn’t care. He wanted to possess Cathy. What he didn’t count on was that Cathy could play the game, too. But After Heathcliff, came back, there was a new player. Heathcliff seduced Edgar’s sister, and tormented her just to hurt the Lintons. Hurt Cathy by being with someone else, and hurt Edgar by abusing his sister. Cathy’s marriage to Edgar didn’t mean anything to either Cathy or Heathcliff. They never stopped loving each other, just because a piece of paper said that she belonged to someone else. She belonged to no one and she made that clear. She used the marriage as an excuse for why she wouldn’t be with Heathcliff, but – again – you shoud know that.

She wasn’t making some kind of dumb, spur of the moment decision, she was carefully torturing everyone around her. And Heathcliff wouldn’t have had it any other way. They were villains. Monsters, who hated everything, but loved each other. They ripped each other’s hearts to shreds, and then wouldn’t let anything come between them. Most people wouldn’t want something like that, because they’re afraid of it. No one wants to be tormented. But there’s the other part, too; we all want to love someone so deeply that they’re the air we breathe, and the the blood that flows through our veins. That’s the point of Wuthering Heights. A love that’s not for the faint of heart. “Nothing could keep them together; no one could tear them apart.”

By: Miss Murder

Miss Murder — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 20:52:53 +0000

And Heathcliff does not kill Edgar. Where are you getting this from?

By: Miss Murder

Miss Murder — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 20:51:50 +0000

Um… you’ve never read Wuthering Heights, have you? The central conflict that was the catalyst for Cathy and Heathcliff’s trouble was that old man Earnshaw loved Heathcliff better than any of his kids. That’s why he took him in, and treated him as his favorite. Which is why, when the old man died, Hindly made Heathcliff a servent.

People, please read both books before you comment.

By: Madeleine

Madeleine — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 02:48:04 +0000

First, I’d like to point out that there are altogether far too many similarities between the two novels, and it causes one to believe that Meyer’s creativity was tried while she wrote this. I have read the entire Twilight series, and I actually took a class on pop culture and popular literature at my school where we analyzed Twilight, and I’ll admit, the books are extremely interesting, but once you reread them, and start to really look at the characters you will find a lot of ugly that was not intentional, and you will also find that the writing was very poor.
In Wuthering Heights (which I did a project on in the beginning of this past school year, where for the project I had to present an essay analayzing a character and acting by a script, which I wrote myself based on different passages in the novel) one of the first relations you could pick out that was common with Twilight was the lack of a stable adult figure in the protagonist’s early life who was able to guide them wisely through struggles (Catherine’s mother is dead, her father dies, and Bella’s mother is an absent character in most of the Twilight series, while her father doesn’t quite understand how far he should take his role). This lack of guidance is only the beginning to the plot, and not quite so noticeable.
Next, as many of you have mentioned above, there is Heathcliff/and Edward’s choosing to leave. The largest difference is that Heathcliff left not only because he thought Cathy did not love him so much, and that she (unknowingly perhaps) urged him to go. While Heathcliff may have felt a bit cast out, Edward left of his own accord because he probably thought it was the ‘right’ thing to do, and that he would be protecting the one he loved. Both learned how at fault they each were when upon returning, the women they adored were half-broken down. (I could go on about this, but I believe it would become too boring for anyone to read).
Third, when both girls are apart from their ‘masters’ (I believe Edward was extremely controlling over Bella, as was Heathcliff over Cathy, and both girls [perhaps unconsiously] were proud to follow and listen in many ways to what their men wanted from them and both had hidden agendas, hoping they could themselves achieve their own goals in going along with their partner’s wishes) it was proven who was the stronger, mentally. Bella has an astoundingly weak natural pysche, seeing hallucinations and having frightening nightmares constantly (which is not healthy, and it is actually really bizarre when Charlie tells her she should move back with her mom [since when do pyschiatrists not exist?] and tries to get rid of his own problems), and while Cathy is pregnant she is delusional as well and suffers from nightmares. Both girls also attempt to seek out their men when apart.
Now I know this may sound extremely odd, but I actually believe that the healthier couple IS Catherine and Heathcliff, mostly because the two have stronger personalities as seperate, and although dependant on eachother, when they were apart in death Heathcliff did not try to kill himself. Yes, he sought out Cathy in scary ways, (just as Bella did with Edward with her hallucinations and addiction to danger) but he did not give up when he lost all reason. I believe the stronger soul is the person who is capable of living while suffering, even if it does drive that one to madness. There is something admirable about desiring a peace of mind though, as Edward wants, but Heathcliff is much more brave for dealing until his own death with the absence of himself. As Cathy said, “I am Heahtcliff.”
To me though, Edward is far more similar to Edgar. He is weak and entirely dependant on others, he believes in what is his more than anything else. Heathcliff and Jacob are both more wild, more okay on their own, and both have (actually, Edward as well) ridiculously horrible tempers.
Bah, I’m too tired to write more, so that’s all I’ll say. :/

By: Lydia Askeland

Lydia Askeland — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 02:26:17 +0000

“And there you see the distinction between our feelings: had he been in my place and I in his, though I hated him with a hatred that turned my life to gall, I never would have raised a hand against him. You may look incredulous, if you please! I never would have banished him from her society as long as she desired his. The moment her regard ceased, I could have torn his heart out, and drank his blood! But till then–if you don’t believe me, you don’t know me–till then, I would have died by inches before I touched a single hair of his head!”

Weirdly enough i can actually relate to Heathcliff/Edward in saying you care too much for your partner to cause her/him any grief.

By: Madison

Madison — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 12:15:25 +0000

Vienna- Alera: try getting the names of characters in Wuthering Heights right if you wish to form a coherent statement. I am a fan of the classics but it is important to judge literature on what it is. The Twilight saga is easy to read, introduces many teens to reading (when they may feel they have better things to do) and classics are referenced in the Twilight saga which encourages teens to do further reading. For that, I am truly thankful to Stephenie Meyer.

By: AES

AES — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 02:14:23 +0000

The comparison between Wuthering Heights and the Twilight saga is because of the addictive and dependent relationships present in both. Just as Catherine and Heathcliff can’t live without eachother, Catherine literally says ‘I am Heathcliff’, Edward and Bella share such a strong bond that to separate them would be the end of the world. The addictive love that these stories present are defined by the lovers’ need to possess the other being, regardless of the effect this might have. Both pairs want to love eachother without holding back but there are things in their way that stop that.
Also the idea of another lover that the woman loves just the same is present in both stories through Edgar and Jacob. Catherine does love Edgar but she feels a psychological connection dependency on Heathcliff that she can’t leave him. This is the same for Bella; she truly loves Jacob, but the love she has for Edward is so beyond the natural that she can never break that bond.
Both leading ladies are stuck in the conflict of supernatural love versus safe love. They can’t even really choose which way to go because of their extraordinary connections to Heathcilff and Edward.

By: Vienna- Alera

Vienna- Alera — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 15:04:02 +0000

I’ve read Wuthering Heights many, many times. I’ve also grunted my way through the Twilight series, and I’ve got to say that comparing the two books as if they were equal is an insult to Emily Bronte’s memory.
Hate me if you want, but Wuthering Heights was a work of art. It was a vivid portrayal of the deepest kind of love, the love that tears you apart and puts you back together. A love that can withstand time, and space, and death, and the fact that the lovers where the last people on earth who could or would be together.
Twilight isn’t even in the same ionosphere of literature. It’s a souped-up fan fiction about an abusive jerk, and a spineless brat. The vampire thing is just the sugar-coated topping. And for those of you who are basing Wuthering Heights purely on the description Bella gives it in the book; her entire summary was wrong!
Catherine and Heathcliffe were soul mates. As much as they both hated it. Cathy wasn’t any less or more evil than Heathcliffe, they were equal. The whole thing was a game to the two. Cathy wanted to prove that her love for Heathcliffe wasn’t going to stop her from doing what she wanted with her life. Heathcliffe was trying to prove that Cathy, no matter how strong-willed she was, could not deny her own heart.
Everyone who got hurt because of them, the Earnshaws, the Lintons, the Heathcliffes, were all pawns in this game of two hearts that refused to be together, but could never be apart.

So yeah, saying that Edward and Bella hold a candle to Heathcliffe and Catherine is ignorant. Wuthering Heights has stood the test of time for over a century, I’d be shocked if Twilight lasted the next three years.

By: Janet

Janet — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 18:04:49 +0000

I find it pretty clear – and now I understand why I, a 26 year old wife, mother, and teacher, love Twilight so much. Wuthering Heights is my favorite book, even my comfort book, strange as that may be, and Twilight has come to join it, now. Wuthering Heights was the greatest love story of its time, and I think that Twilight is taking its own place in that niche for us today. Maybe it’s a “tween” book, and maybe it’s about vampires, but it is a brilliant love story. I’m thinking of writing a scholarly article on it, but haven’t considered it long enough to find a proper publishing place. I think it’s a fabulous connection, and I think Stephenie Meyer for the gift of my favorite novel in a more modern and infinitely happier form.

By: Celia

Celia — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 16:39:18 +0000

I have many opinions on this matter. But mainly I think that Jacob and Edward are both part Heathcliff and part Edgar. There are many reasons for this, but it would take too long to list them so you can figure them out on your own. =) And of course, Bella is Cathy.

As for what story Breaking Dawn will be based on, I have an amazing theory. I won’t say it yet, because it might partially spoil the book for you. But I’ll say this much: it’s a comedy, not a tragedy. Though I’m not so sure BD will follow suite regarding the mood…

By: Joyce

Joyce — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 06:24:51 +0000

To me Bella is far from bland. She is normal, she is average, she is someone everyone can relate to. I teach high school English and I can find at least a couple of girls in each one of my classes who could be Bella. That’s the genius of Stephanie Meyer: her characterization is so perfect that we feel we know Bella. We see “Bella” in our schools and neighborhoods.
In so many ways Eclipse is a coming-of-age book. Bella grows up and finally realizes in the end that it’s not all about her. Strong adult emotions have adult consequences and, just like anyone who has lived past the age of 30, she realizes is responsible for the pain and joy she gives others. She has to face the fact that by turning to Jacob in her hour of greatest need and pain, she produced feelings in him, like it or not. By facing the consequences of those feelings, she grows up and becomes an adult.
I question whether Catherine and Heathcliff ever manage to do this. While their love may be their only redeeming quality, their love is an odd sort of selfish love where no one mattered but the two of them. Bella recognizes her attachments and obligations to other people at the end of the book. As she says, “I want to do this right.” All that did was just endear her to me more. You go girl!

By: Addie

Addie — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 03:21:42 +0000

My friend was telling me earlier how she lieks the premise of the Twilight series, but hates Bella’s character. She says that Bella is so bland and inconsiderate at times. And that got me thinking.

At one point, Edward and Bella discuss Wuthering Heights, and how the characters seemingly “only redeeming quality” is their love. At points in time, we can see this ring true with Bella and Edward. When everything else about themselves may be against them, their love is the only thing that makes their struggles worthwhile.

By: Karen

Karen — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 20:22:47 +0000

I am so grateful to have found this site to read the comments. I am a latecomer to the series, having just finished the first three books, but they have impacted me deeply and strongly. I am so glad that I am not the only one who feels so strongly about these characters (and that I’m not the only thirty-something to be so deeply impacted). I honestly have to say that I have been consumed with fear since realizing the Wuthering Heights parallels and am desperately hoping (like Caroline’s comment below) that the parallels don’t foreshadow a tragic ending. I am a bit embarrassed that I am so deeply involved with these characters that I am fearful for what the author will do with them, fearful that she won’t honor them in the way I think they should be honored. I have never been so consumed with characters, and I have been a voracious reader my whole life (favorite: Jane Eyre). I know these are her characters, her creations, and yet I desperately fear what she will do with them. There are some things I just couldn’t bear and all I can do is hope that I can live with the direction the stories take (and how they resolve).

By: Savannah

Savannah — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 15:47:12 +0000

I read wuthering heights right after finishing eclipse.
I think Heathcliff and Edward are very alike. with Heathcliff’s hate of Catherine’s other man, and with Heathcliffs somewhat dangerous atmosphere just like Edward. But like the book said there is no way that Edward or Bella could be that evil. Catherine and Bella don’t seem alike to me in anyway except maybe for the fact that Catherine does anything to hold on to Heathcliff.

By: Carley

Carley — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 20:46:07 +0000

Ok, I just want to say that I’m 13 so my answer may not be as educated or as literate as others. I have read Wuthering Heights about 3 times and I would have to say that Bella does act like Cathy. Cathy is selfish, she chooses Edgar because he has money, power, and property. Which could also transfer into Edward, because he has all the things that Edgar has. Omigod, because of this (and within the fact that Cathy makes it fairly vocal to both men that her true love is Heathcliff) Bella could end up choosing Jacob! But Bella knows that she loves Edward to the ends of the earth, but she loves Jacob too. When SM compares the books she makes to sound that Edward is Edgar and Jacob is Heathcliff (for obvious reasons) but maybe its the other way around! Edward is Heathcliff with money and Jacob is a poor Edgar. Well my answer may have made zero sence but that what I got out of this. By the by I ♥ Kassie! She is my Idol! I also ♥ Kallie, but she’s too motherly for my taste!

By: Daniela

Daniela — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 02:58:36 +0000

I listened to your last podcast and I came up with something:
What if Laurent was trying to kill Bella because Irina(denali) ask him the favor.
Maybe she is in love with Edward and she hates Bella.
So now the denali clan and volturi will get together to destroy Carlisle clan on the one condition that Edward and Alice are not killed.
Or maybe Irina did love Laurent and now she’s plannig to kill Bella and Jacob’s pack.
So I think that volturi ans Denali clan Vs. Cullens and Jacob’s pack.
what do you guys think?