(BLOCK-3) (UNIT-5) WUTHERING HEIGHTS: ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY YEARS LATER

1. Why do you think nineteenth century critics were engaged in locating a central moral or message in the novel?

Nineteenth-century literary criticism was heavily influenced by the moralistic and didactic views of the time. Critics believed that literature should have a clear moral message or lesson that could be imparted to readers. This view was particularly prevalent in the Victorian era, a time of social and cultural upheaval, where there was a strong emphasis on moral values and the importance of education.

In the case of "Wuthering Heights," nineteenth-century critics may have been motivated to locate a central moral or message in the novel due to its unconventional structure and themes. The novel was not a straightforward love story or moral tale, and its characters were often flawed and morally ambiguous. Critics may have felt the need to impose a clear moral or lesson onto the novel to make sense of its complex themes and characters.

Additionally, literary critics often functioned as gatekeepers of culture, shaping public opinion and influencing the reception of works of literature. By identifying a central moral or message in "Wuthering Heights," critics may have been attempting to legitimize the novel as a work of literature that could offer meaningful insights into the human condition.

2. What do you understand by the term New Criticism? What was its impact on the critical perspective to Wuthering Heights?

New Criticism is a critical approach to literature that emerged in the early 20th century, particularly in the United States. It focuses on close textual analysis and rejects extrinsic interpretations that draw on historical or biographical context. Instead, New Critics argue that the meaning of a literary work should be derived solely from its internal structure and language.

The impact of New Criticism on the critical perspective to Wuthering Heights was significant. New Critics, such as Cleanth Brooks and William K. Wimsatt, Jr., championed the novel as a work of great complexity and depth. They argued that the novel should be analyzed on its own terms, rather than being reduced to a simple love story or social commentary.

New Critics focused on the novel's use of narrative structure, symbolism, and language, arguing that these elements contributed to its overall meaning and significance. They paid close attention to the novel's themes of revenge, jealousy, and the destructive power of love, and argued that these themes were woven together in a complex and subtle way.

Overall, the New Criticism approach helped to elevate Wuthering Heights to a work of serious literary merit and brought attention to its innovative narrative structure and themes. It also paved the way for later critical approaches, such as feminist and psychoanalytic readings of the novel.

3. Do you think modem critical approaches make our understanding of the text more profound or do they simply confuse? Discuss.

Modem critical approaches can certainly deepen our understanding of a text by providing new insights, perspectives, and interpretations. However, whether or not they confuse depends on the individual reader's ability to engage with and evaluate these critical approaches.

On the one hand, modem critical approaches can provide valuable tools for analyzing a text, such as feminist or psychoanalytic lenses. These approaches can help to uncover previously overlooked themes, characters, and symbols, and provide a more nuanced understanding of the text's social and historical context.

On the other hand, these approaches can also be complex and require a deep understanding of the critical theory and methodology involved. If readers are unfamiliar with these critical approaches, they may find them confusing or even alienating, which can hinder their ability to fully engage with the text.

Ultimately, the value of modem critical approaches depends on how they are used and applied. When used thoughtfully and with care, they can enhance our understanding of a text and enrich our reading experience. However, if they are used without consideration for the text's actual content or if they are used solely to showcase the critic's expertise in a particular theoretical framework, they can be confusing and even misleading.

4. Do you think there is a 'central truth' in the novel ? Is there a need to arrive at a - central 'truth'?

Whether or not there is a 'central truth' in a novel is a matter of debate and interpretation. Some readers and critics may argue that there is a central truth or meaning to a particular work of literature, while others may see the text as more ambiguous and open to multiple interpretations.

In the case of Wuthering Heights, there are various interpretations and analyses of the novel's themes, characters, and narrative structure. Some readers may argue that there is a central truth to be found in the novel, such as the destructive power of unrequited love or the damaging effects of social class and hierarchy. Others may see the novel as more open-ended, with multiple layers of meaning and interpretation.

Whether or not there is a need to arrive at a central truth also depends on individual readers and their approach to literature. Some readers may find it satisfying to uncover a central truth or message in a novel, while others may appreciate the ambiguity and openness of the text. Ultimately, the value of a literary work lies in its ability to provoke thought, generate discussion, and offer different perspectives on the human experience.

5. Do you think Wuthering Heights is a classic? Give reasons for your answer.

Yes, Wuthering Heights is considered a classic of English literature. There are several reasons for this, including:

Timelessness: The themes of love, revenge, social class, and the conflict between nature and culture explored in Wuthering Heights are timeless and continue to resonate with readers today.

Influence: Wuthering Heights has had a significant influence on subsequent literature and popular culture. It has been adapted into numerous film, television, and stage productions, and its characters and themes have inspired other works of literature.

Literary merit: Wuthering Heights is a well-crafted work of literature, with intricate character development, complex narrative structure, and evocative language. It is a prime example of the Gothic novel, which was a popular genre in the 19th century.

Historical significance: Wuthering Heights is a product of its time, reflecting the social and cultural context of 19th-century England. It provides insight into the attitudes and values of the period, particularly with regards to gender roles, social class, and the conflict between tradition and modernity.

Enduring popularity: Wuthering Heights has remained popular with readers for over 150 years, demonstrating its lasting appeal and significance as a work of literature.

Overall, Wuthering Heights is widely regarded as a classic due to its timelessness, influence, literary merit, historical significance, and enduring popularity.

6. One of the major preoccupation of most early critics was to engage themselves in the search for a resolution or synthesis to the many contradictions that they encountered in the text. What do modem critics think about it? 

Modem critics tend to view the contradictions in the text as intentional and necessary aspects of the novel's complexity and depth. Rather than seeking a resolution or synthesis to these contradictions, modem critics focus on exploring and analyzing their implications and how they contribute to the overall meaning of the text.

Modem critics recognize that the contradictions and ambiguities in Wuthering Heights reflect the complexities and contradictions of human nature and relationships. They also acknowledge that the novel resists easy interpretation or reduction to a single message or moral, and that its power lies precisely in its ability to evoke multiple interpretations and provoke ongoing discussion and debate.

Overall, modem critics tend to value the novel's complexity, ambiguity, and resistance to easy interpretation, seeing it as a hallmark of its status as a literary classic.