The need to understand the experiences of historical women has lead to a resurgence of female writer's text. Emily Bronte's "Wuthering Heights," being one of the most prolific female text, has been one of the most criticized and discussed.
At first glance, the introduction seemed a little long winded. From a guy's standpoint, while trying to discuss how "phallocentric" (p 452) our language is is understandable, the desire for the author to separate the negative idea from the people practicing it is necessary. The separation of the masculinity oppresses femininity idea only goes to incite anger in those males that do not agree or those that understand that to be true. Through much of the introduction I found myself shaking my head, rereading an argument, or writing questions in the margins stating "this is not true in one situation or another." With that stated, I feel I am part of the "phallus," and as such I am probably biased toward my own textual designations. However, even if that be the case, I feel it necessary to also attach the notion that we as males have little control in how to change the language.
In Lyn Pykett's text "Changing the Names: The Two Catherines," the primary suggestion is the "consequences of [a] socially sanctioned choice" that all females had to make during that time and how in doing so, in Catherine's instance, caused her eventual self destruction(469). Pykett speaks on the requirement of Catherine to lose her "wild, hatless little savage" side and become more socially acceptable as she matured (Bronte 64) (Which resulted to her going to the Grange and eventually separating from Heathcliff.)
Throughout Catherine and Cathy's entire life there is a sense of powerlessness that reverberates throughout both generations. Catherine's inability to choose with her heart, Healthcliff, and Cathy's inability to leave Heights is a representation of the subjectivity of women and for both instances were only truly resolved by death. A resolve that lead to Catherine's death and a resolve that truly ended with Heathcliff's death.
At first glance, the introduction seemed a little long winded. From a guy's standpoint, while trying to discuss how "phallocentric" (p 452) our language is is understandable, the desire for the author to separate the negative idea from the people practicing it is necessary. The separation of the masculinity oppresses femininity idea only goes to incite anger in those males that do not agree or those that understand that to be true. Through much of the introduction I found myself shaking my head, rereading an argument, or writing questions in the margins stating "this is not true in one situation or another." With that stated, I feel I am part of the "phallus," and as such I am probably biased toward my own textual designations. However, even if that be the case, I feel it necessary to also attach the notion that we as males have little control in how to change the language.
In Lyn Pykett's text "Changing the Names: The Two Catherines," the primary suggestion is the "consequences of [a] socially sanctioned choice" that all females had to make during that time and how in doing so, in Catherine's instance, caused her eventual self destruction(469). Pykett speaks on the requirement of Catherine to lose her "wild, hatless little savage" side and become more socially acceptable as she matured (Bronte 64) (Which resulted to her going to the Grange and eventually separating from Heathcliff.)
Throughout Catherine and Cathy's entire life there is a sense of powerlessness that reverberates throughout both generations. Catherine's inability to choose with her heart, Healthcliff, and Cathy's inability to leave Heights is a representation of the subjectivity of women and for both instances were only truly resolved by death. A resolve that lead to Catherine's death and a resolve that truly ended with Heathcliff's death.
I focused a lot on the "consequence of socially sanctioned choice" as well when I was reading. It seems like to just base a decision in what society would deem more acceptable never produces the more desirable outcome. Catherine's maturation meant the disappearance of her passion, which in my opinion is something you never want to lose.
ReplyDeleteI honestly did not view Catherine or Cathy as powerless. Although now thinking back on it I think that is the perfect word to describe them and it makes me wonder is that is how Emily Bronte felt.
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