Wuthering Heights

[Smiley]

I have recently read Wuthering Height, and I'll be studying it next year at University. I'm just a little bit confused, as it is described as a great love story. I think Cathy and Heathcliff never actually got to properly love each other, or see each other much, and the story seems to be more about who Ellen was looking after, and about illness. Am I missing something??

[andy hughes]

'Wuthering Heights' is one of the greatest love stories ever written because their love between Cathy and Heathcliffe is doomed never to make them happy together. The novel is complex in construction, following the story from the perspective of various characters within it. The underlying passion they feel for each other is the heart of the story, and against all odds and circumatnces, it consumes them both to the point of death, and beyond. Try reading the novel again, and concentrate on the aspects of the Cathy -Heathcliffe access, which ias actually the heart and narative thrust of the novel. Hope you enjoy it more next time round.

[j8dyw]

I studied this for A Level and struggled with it as well. I bought a modern study guide which didn't help. I then found an old study guide in a second hand bookshop that was brilliant. I found great books for Shakespeare plays as well. Not sure why the older ones are better, but it worked well for me

[Lyn]

Try reading it again putting yrself in Cathy's or as I did, in Heathcliff's shoes(always my heart went out to the underdog), and u will slowly see why it is such a powerful story. I first read it when i was about 13and went silent for weeks 'cos my head was in it totally. I never tire of watching it on film, so many versions have been made by now. Try getting one of these on video, the older ones are more true to the novel. It is partly the time that the story is set and the characters themselves that make it a timeless classic bye.

[firefly]

But calling it a love story muddles the water somewhat, as Cathy is dead through most of the novel. It is more about Heathcliff's reaction to not being able to have Cathy.