I must say unapologetically, that almost the entire read was frustrating. While it would seem likely that this is due to overly complicated character relationships, I do not believe this is the only reason. Simply put, the entire thing was both predictable, and yet incalculable at the same time.
The general tone at the beginning of this section is one of oppression and despair. One hardly believes that anything positive could ever happen for anyone who is forced, and I mean literally forced, to be among Heathcliff. As dreary as it sounds, it was actually encouraging to me that the text seemed to acknowledge that while we all have hopes and dreams, if we are not in power we cannot achieve these things except at the mercy of forces we cannot tame.
I seem to be upset about some sort of inconsistency, and yet as I reflect it seems to remain consistent in a profoundly upsetting way. The happy ending achieved is consistent with what I believed was being said about forces beyond our control determining the outcome. Heathcliff is a prominent force, but there are things which even he cannot fend off, namely love and death. His obsessive love eventually makes the other character's situations less oppressive, and his fortuitous death allows for their liberation.
As I mentioned, the ending is both predictable and incalculable. Predictable in the sense that "they lived happily ever after" is a sort of expectation, and incalculable in the sense that the oppressed characters themselves should have no reason to expect this outcome. It seems to reward a naive sense of idealism, while at the same time acknowledging the constraints of human nature. I still wonder if perhaps I'm missing something, and admit I am eager to hear other opinions. It seems that I have changed mine in the course of this post, so I must assume that there is more to be considered.
Good point concerning the "liberation" of other characters through Heathcliff's death. I hadn't put it together myself that that was the reason everyone/thing else seemed to feel relief at his passing. I even felt relieved when he died, mostly because I knew it would happen and was sort of waiting for it, but also because I felt it would be a relief to him from the strain of life.
ReplyDeleteYou are right about all of the other characters despondent situations looking hopeful when compared to Heathcliff. That seemed to be the only redeeming aspect of the end for me.
ReplyDeleteI find it interesting that you would mention the forces beyond the character's control. At first I felt that too and in reading you argument here I can see why that holds true. Still, I feel that the situations were never really beyond the character's controls, and only the character's own lack to take control of their situation is what makes them unhappy and trapped in their circumstances.
ReplyDeleteLiberation, in my view, is more of an understatement. I agree that everyone becomes happy about his passing, but it is not just the death of Heathcliff or the happiness of the other characters that changes. When Heathcliff passes, the surroundings seem to lighten up. The gloom that had swallowed Wuthering Heights seems to vanish. The flowers, the conversation, and the all round joy that is seen by Lockwood is proof to this. The other characters seemed to be able to live now, unlike when Heathcliff was weighing down upon them.
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