"Imperial Nostalgia and Wuthering Heights" by Nancy Armstrong

In her essay, “Imperial Nostalgia and Wuthering Heights,” Nancy Armstrong discusses the customs of English society during the nineteenth century. In addition, Armstrong correlates English cultural practices of the nineteenth century to some of the events that transpired in Wuthering Heights, written by Emily Brontë. In the essay, Armstrong describes Wuthering Heights, as “just the sort of text that exemplifies the symbolic practices most essential to the social group that produced and/or received it” (pg. 430). In this quote, Armstrong is explaining to literary critics that the purpose of Wuthering Heights was not to reflect English culture, but to depict an unconventional novel with an unconventional story, birthed from the creative mind of Brontë.

One cultural practice Brontë incorporates in Wuthering Heights is the existence of servants. It was not uncommon for the royal family and wealthy homeowners to possess a “help” staff. Usually, it was the job of the “help” to ensure the daily tasks of a household were completed, day in and day out. The one servant readers got to know the best was Nelly Dean. Nelly Dean was the housekeeper of Wuthering Heights who has grown up alongside the family in whom she works. In Wuthering Heights, some of Nelly Dean’s tasks included answering the doors (96), delivering messages to various members living within Wuthering Heights (130), and fetching keys for locked doors around the house (205).

Below, I have attached a picture of two, typical servant girls from the Victorian Era. One girl balances a plate with a cup filled with liquid in both hands, while the other holds a dusting broom in her left hand.

"The Women's Movement"

“The Women’s Movement” essay, by Lady Caroline Norton, of the “Cultural Documents and Illustrations” section in Wuthering Heights highlights the rights of English women during the nineteenth century. According to Norton, “A married woman. . .has no legal existence: her being is absorbed in that of her husband” (295). In addition, Norton informs readers that women were not allowed to defend themselves in court or compose their own wills later on in the essay (295-296). It was the primary job of a woman to tend to the needs and demands of her husband. For this reason, women did not possess legal rights, properties, or monetary funds. All possessions owned by a nineteenth century-English woman prior to marriage were defaulted to her husband once they were wed.

This is exemplified in chapter ten of Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë. In chapter ten, Heathcliff decides to marry Isabella, Catherine’s sister-in-law, in order to become the heir to Edgar’s, Isabella’s brother, property.  “. . .appalled by this fantastic preference. . .the possible fact that his [Edgar] property, in default of heirs male, might pass into such a one’s [Heathcliff’s] power, he had sense to comprehend Heathcliff’s disposition” Nelly explains in chapter ten (103). The “fantastic preference” Nelly is referring to in this quote is the shift of Heathcliff’s attention from Catherine, Edgar’s wife, to Isabella. This confirms Edgar’s suspicions of Heathcliff’s devious strategy to inherit the Linton properties. In accordance to  nineteenth century English law, once Isabella marries Heathcliff, the property she is to inherit following the death of Edgar, will be given to Heathcliff, along with any other possessions or inheritances she may acquire before and after the confirmation of the marriage.

First Impression of Heathcliff

In Wuthering Heights, by Emily Brontë, Mr. Lockwood chronicles the time he spends in England at Thrushcross Grange.  Thrushcross Grange is the name of the estate Lockwood rents from a man named Mr. Heathcliff—“a dark skinned gipsy” with a disdainful appearance (27). 

The first impression I developed of Heathcliff was one of uncertainty. I could not decide whether he was a timid or malevolent individual upon meeting him for the first time in chapter 1 of Wuthering Heights. When Lockwood introduces himself to Heathcliff in chapter 1, Heathcliff does not seem to take any interest to Lockwood right away. Initially, Heathcliff was very solemn and frigid throughout the conversation he has with Lockwood. In fact, Lockwood describes Heathcliff as talking “. . .with closed teeth. . .no sympathizing to the words. . . .” in chapter 1 of Wuthering Heights (25). This exemplifies Heathcliff’s unwillingness to converse with Lockwood at that particular moment. From his actions, I could not help to think Heathcliff was annoyed by Lockwood’s presence as well. Consequently, “Heathcliff’s [icy] countenance relaxed into a grin” (28) when witnessing his dogs lunge for Lockwood’s knees at the close of chapter 1. This suggests Heathcliff was amused by the sight of his dogs leaping toward Lockwood, viciously. When Heathcliff saw how flustered and frustrated Lockwood appeared to be after his close encounter with Heathcliff’s pack of dogs, Heathcliff’s whole demeanor changed for the better. For this reason, I found Heathcliff to be bipolar and mentally instable in the beginning of Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë.

"Stealing Books"

In A History of Reading, by Alberto Manguel, Manguel explains the value books possessed in the 1800s. According to Manguel, books were valued by all—both the elite and the poor classes. In most cases, books were traded amongst people in exchange for treasured goods. Rare books, on the other hand, were sold at prices as high as $30,000 (239). They were regarded as precious commodities so much so that people would go to extreme lengths in order to protect their books from thieves and library raiders. Tallemant des Réaux believed that everyone sought the “pleasure of holding a rare volume in one’s hands” (241).

I experienced a sense of amusement while reading the “Stealing Books” Chapter in A History of Reading. I found the information Manguel presents in this chapter amusing because of the differing attitudes society held about books from the 1800s and the new millennium. I cannot imagine people having to worry about guarding their books in their homes over heirlooms and other prized possessions. Nevertheless, the majority the population no longer value books in today’s society. It is apparent that reading is not considered a recreational activity by many. This is demonstrated through the closing of many of the Borders Bookstore locations, nationwide. Nowadays, people rather spend money on technological resources (iPods, iPads, and touch-screen cell phones) than spend money on the latest books.

My, my, my how times have changed. I, too, succumb to the enticement of technology over reading in my leisure time. When I was younger, I used to pick up a book whenever I was bored. I loved reading about the different adventures of the American Girl Dolls in the American Girl Doll Colllection. But now, whenever I have some free time, I log into Facebook and learn about the different adventures of my friends by viewing their pictures.

Living in a society where the inhabitants do not read as much as they ought to saddens me. We, as citizens, are not only hurting ourselves, but we are hurting the future generations to come. If we, as adults, cannot find the time to pick up a book and expand our knowledge, how do we expect the children to do the same? After all, they are the future; it is up to us to set a positive example for each and every one of them.