Question

The two manors, Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange, symbolize various dichotomies that define the novel. Describe how the manors and their residents express and sustain this key dichotomy in the chapter that you read. Support your answer with quotes from the chapter.

Answer 1

Answer:

Wuthering Heights, a manor in the Yorkshire moors, is associated with all that is primeval, natural, passionate, and wild. it was beautiful—a splendid place carpeted with crimson, and crimson-covered chairs and tables, and a pure white ceiling bordered by gold, a shower of glass-drops hanging in silver chains from the centre, and shimmering with little soft tapers.

Explanation:

Answer 2

Wuthering Heights, a manor in the Yorkshire moors, is associated with all that is primeval, natural, passionate, and wild. The residents of this manor, the Earnshaws and Heathcliff, exhibit a similar ruggedness and wildness in their behavior. This manor, as Lockwood observes, looks more like the home of a northern farmer than that of a gentleman.

In contrast, Thrushcross Grange symbolizes the sophisticated, civilized world. The manor is opulent, manicured, and well maintained. Similarly, the Lintons represent the refined English gentry, who are conscious of their status and display proper social etiquette and behavior. We get a view of the residents of Thrushcross Grange from what Heathcliff tells Nelly in chapter 6:

The light came from thence; they had not put up the shutters, and the curtains were only half closed. Both of us were able to look in by standing on the basement, and clinging to the ledge, and we saw—ah! it was beautiful—a splendid place carpeted with crimson, and crimson-covered chairs and tables, and a pure white ceiling bordered by gold, a shower of glass-drops hanging in silver chains from the centre, and shimmering with little soft tapers. Old Mr. and Mrs. Linton were not there; Edgar and his sisters had it entirely to themselves.

Nelly’s comment in chapter 6 also conveys the civilized traits of the Lintons:

‘They are good children, no doubt, and don’t deserve the treatment you receive, for your bad conduct.’