I know all of you are aching to discuss the text in more detail. Since we just don't have enough time in class, you now have a chance to continue this discussion at home. Make sure to post and reply to your assigned group.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Group 4
4) Catherine is more a victim than a perpetrator of the love triangle between Edgar, Heathcliff, and herself.
Post by Monday before class and reply by Wednesday before class.
I believe that this statement is false. Catherine is not a victim. She is the person who married Edgar even though she knew that she loved Heathcliff. It is entirely her fault that this dilema was created and allowed to flourish. She could have told Heathcliff "I love you, but I'm married to Edgar now, so please go away" instead she told Edgar, "for my sake, you must be friends now" (pg.89) and when she was sick and Edgar was on his way home she told Heathcliff "You must not go!" (pg.153) She makes the triangle worse, aggrivating both men. She is far from a victim in this scenario.
Catherine is not a victim whatsoever, she is vain and causes this love triangle through her own selfishness and vanity. Despite the obvious emotional draw that Heathcliff has upon her she ignores her heart and sides with her wallet. "'And he will be rich, and I shall like to be the greatest woman of the neighbourhood, and I shall be proud of having such a husband.'"(pg 77.I have a different version of the book). She would only be a victim if she wanted to be with Heathcliff but was for some reason required to marry Edgar. She did this of her own accord and is therefore the sole perpetrator of the love triangle.
Catherine is a victim of the love triangle between Edgar, Heathcliff, and herself because of the mindset she has developed throughout the novel. It is apparent that Catherine sees nothing wrong with how she is handeling her involvement with both Edgar and Heathcliff. While talking to Nelly, Catherine says, "Nelly, I am Heathcliff! He's always, always in my mind...as my own being"(77). Catherine feels a inner connection to Heathcliff and for that reason believes she can marry Edgar and still have Heathcliff close to her. Catherine is not a perpetrator and is doing what she feels is right.
I agree with the notion that Catherine is a perpetrator instead of a victim. A bit earlier from Tim's quote when Catherine is talking to Nelly about Heathcliff, she says "If all else perished, and he remained, I should still continue to be; and if all else remained, and he were annihilated, the Universe would turn to a mighty stranger" (77). This idea that she is so in love with Heathcliff that she couldn't be able to function without him shows that she has brought the love triangle upon herself by marrying Edgar.
I completely agree with Liz when she says that she brought it uupon herself by not marrying the man that she was in love with. When Nelly asked her if she would love his if he weren't handsome she replied "No, to be sure not: I should only pity him-hate him, perhaps, if he were ugly, and a clown" (pg.73). When you compare this love, which is so fickle, to the love in the quotes provided by Tim and Liz, it clearly shows that she marries the wrong man knowingly, forcing the triangle into existence, not suffering from it as a victim.
The aspects we are overlooking is Heathcliff's and Catherine's motivation for their love as well as their personality regarding the love they have. Heathcliff only loves Catherine because she is an escape from the hatred that Hindley had bestowed upon Heathcliff throughout his childhood. I agree that Catherine has made a mistake marrying the man she does not love but she does not realize this. She refers to her love with Heathcliff as "a source of little delight"(77). Catherine has always been an ambitious woman and, as expressed in my quote in my last post, feels that she can be with both men. Edgar provides her with pleasure for a little while as evident by her description of their relationship as "a foliage in the woods"(77). Even though there is a love triangle in their lives, its existence was not created on purpose, meaning Catherine is not a perpetrator.
I believe that this statement is false. Catherine is not a victim. She is the person who married Edgar even though she knew that she loved Heathcliff. It is entirely her fault that this dilema was created and allowed to flourish. She could have told Heathcliff "I love you, but I'm married to Edgar now, so please go away" instead she told Edgar, "for my sake, you must be friends now" (pg.89) and when she was sick and Edgar was on his way home she told Heathcliff "You must not go!" (pg.153) She makes the triangle worse, aggrivating both men. She is far from a victim in this scenario.
ReplyDeleteCatherine is not a victim whatsoever, she is vain and causes this love triangle through her own selfishness and vanity. Despite the obvious emotional draw that Heathcliff has upon her she ignores her heart and sides with her wallet. "'And he will be rich, and I shall like to be the greatest woman of the neighbourhood, and I shall be proud of having such a husband.'"(pg 77.I have a different version of the book). She would only be a victim if she wanted to be with Heathcliff but was for some reason required to marry Edgar. She did this of her own accord and is therefore the sole perpetrator of the love triangle.
ReplyDeleteCatherine is a victim of the love triangle between Edgar, Heathcliff, and herself because of the mindset she has developed throughout the novel. It is apparent that Catherine sees nothing wrong with how she is handeling her involvement with both Edgar and Heathcliff. While talking to Nelly, Catherine says, "Nelly, I am Heathcliff! He's always, always in my mind...as my own being"(77). Catherine feels a inner connection to Heathcliff and for that reason believes she can marry Edgar and still have Heathcliff close to her. Catherine is not a perpetrator and is doing what she feels is right.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the notion that Catherine is a perpetrator instead of a victim. A bit earlier from Tim's quote when Catherine is talking to Nelly about Heathcliff, she says "If all else perished, and he remained, I should still continue to be; and if all else remained, and he were annihilated, the Universe would turn to a mighty stranger" (77). This idea that she is so in love with Heathcliff that she couldn't be able to function without him shows that she has brought the love triangle upon herself by marrying Edgar.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with Liz when she says that she brought it uupon herself by not marrying the man that she was in love with. When Nelly asked her if she would love his if he weren't handsome she replied "No, to be sure not: I should only pity him-hate him, perhaps, if he were ugly, and a clown" (pg.73). When you compare this love, which is so fickle, to the love in the quotes provided by Tim and Liz, it clearly shows that she marries the wrong man knowingly, forcing the triangle into existence, not suffering from it as a victim.
ReplyDeleteThe aspects we are overlooking is Heathcliff's and Catherine's motivation for their love as well as their personality regarding the love they have. Heathcliff only loves Catherine because she is an escape from the hatred that Hindley had bestowed upon Heathcliff throughout his childhood. I agree that Catherine has made a mistake marrying the man she does not love but she does not realize this. She refers to her love with Heathcliff as "a source of little delight"(77). Catherine has always been an ambitious woman and, as expressed in my quote in my last post, feels that she can be with both men. Edgar provides her with pleasure for a little while as evident by her description of their relationship as "a foliage in the woods"(77). Even though there is a love triangle in their lives, its existence was not created on purpose, meaning Catherine is not a perpetrator.
ReplyDelete