
I was recently handed a book called, Wuthering Heights. I have heard of it, but only because I have seen others reading it. I know nothing about it except that it seems cringe-worthy. Wuthering Heights is the type of book that would make me bow my back and have a toddler-like tantrum, a book that is sufficient to convince whoever would listen that I have a strong distaste for even the look of the cover. It looks... well it looks like a harlequin novel. It's a trashy romance with no bearing on reality. But, after a lot of inward whining and grimacing I decided to try and read the first chapter, and it was okay! So, this is my synopsis of Wuthering Heights chapter one. At best reading the book will give me something to do indoors while the weather is bitterly cold. Strangely, the first paragraph reminded me of my sentiments about the Coteau des Prairie, and my house. The book was written by Emily Bronte, and published in 1847, so it is authentic English literature.
The story is narrated by Mr. Lockwood who- is renting an English cottage, Thrushcross Grange. The name sounds cool. He leases the Grange from a bad-tempered man named Mr. Heathcliff, who lives in Wuthering Heights. The story already wreaks of the English because, who, but the English name their cottages? The gothic drama begins with Mr Lockwood running over to Wuthering Heights to meet his landlord Mr. Heathcliff, a man described as "surly." He seemed more like a crusty and rude imp of a man. He lives in an old home made of solid rock, called Wuthering Heights. The house is named after the atmospheric tumult that it faces during storms. Heathcliff, hates Mr. Lockwood immediately, but who wouldn't as he comes over unannounced? Mr. Lockwood gives the reader a quick description of his disdainful personality, by explaining a previous summer where he made an embarrassment of himself in front of a lady who supposedly loved him. He admitted he was head over ears in love with her too, but he was a dweeb that had no social tactfulness and treated her coldly, and it ended in an uncomfortable disaster. Once inside the home, the two are surrounded by a pack of hunting dogs. The old grump warns Mr. Lockwood not to touch his dogs, and that they are there to guard the home, and not to be petted. Mr. Heathcliff's servant Joseph is summoned again by Mr. Heathcliff, but he doesn't respond, so Mr Heathcliff wanders off to the cellar to fetch a bottle of wine.
Meanwhile, while he is gone, Mr. Lockwood taunts the dog pack and gets attacked. He is saved by what is described as a lusty dam who works in the kitchen. She beats the dogs off with a frying pan. Mr. Heathcliff comes back full of spit and fire but seems pleased when he finds out the dogs attacked Mr. Lockwood, or so it seems to me. Heathcliff and Lockwood have a small spat, and then Mr. Heathcliff talks him into some wine, and they shoot the breeze. It is extremely awkward, but Mr. Lockwood believes they have a fine conversation and compliments the man, calling him intelligent. Rudely and true to himself, Mr. Lockwood invites himself back to Mr. Heathcliff's home, but it's obvious Mr. Heathcliff wants no part of another visit with him. His character seems to hate him, but he wants him as a tenant. Mr. Lockwood, at the end of the chapter, appears to be attracted to Mr. Heathcliff's lack of social graces and fancies himself as a social butterfly. He compares himself to the austere Mr. Heathcliff. At the end of chapter one, Lockwood thinks of the rude man, Heathcliff, and would like to have another jolly conversation with him soon. I liked a couple of things about chapter one. First, Mr. Heathcliff seems to want to be left alone, and he is grumpy. He has a nice pack of dogs for protection, and his home sounds lovely. He lives in a tempestuous area of his country, and it sounds like a great place to live, at least to me. But I do not like him personally. He seems like an angry human being. I suppose if I saw anything more or less likable about either character. I would take my chances with Mr. Heathcliff over Mr. Lockwood. I do not care for Lockwood; he sounds like a prig. Check back for my second chapter synopsis soon, and let me know your thoughts on the story. Or just silently read the ramblings of a prat and hope for the best! (Gotta use that English slang.) Meet me again next week. We will go back to that place, completely removed from the stir of society with Mr. Lockwood, Heathcliff, and the hound dogs.
I hope you enjoyed Wuthering Heights Synopsis Chapter One.
I read the first chapter and the scenery reminds me of how you describe Coteau Valley Farm. Maybe you should rename it Wuthering Heights. Great job, and I am looking forward to reading more!☺️
I can’t imagine that unless in order to balance the weights they are both incredibly handsome. Their attitudes make them monsters.
A nickel says they'll be fighting over a woman by the end of the novel.