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Reading Questions on Wuthering Heights

Chapters 1-3

Dr. Freeman

 

Chapter I

 

  1. Why has Lockwood come to reside at Thrushcross Grange?  Be as specific as possible  in addressing his background causes.  What do his reasons reveal about his character.

 

  1. Lockwood says that he and Heathcliff are a “suitable pair” to share the solitude of the Yorkshire moors; how correct do you thing he is in this assertion?  How much does he seem to share with Heathcliff? 

 

  1. Note the meaning of “wuthering” that Lockwood provides; how do you suppose living in such an environment would affect the lives of its inhabitants?

 

  1. What do you think about Lockwood’s intention to revisit Wuthering Heights so soon after his first disastrous attempt?  What does his behavior while at the Heights and his choice to return “soon” reveal about his character?

 

Chapter II

 

  1. Do we learn any significant about  Lockwood’s personality in chapter III?

 

  1. Why do you think “Mrs. Heathcliff” is so surly toward Lockwood (and so bitter about life in general?).

 

  1. What do you think of Hareton Earnshaw, taking particular note of his name?

 

Chapter III

 

NOTE:  This chapter is more complicated structurally than the previous two.  Beginning with Lockwood being escorted to spend the night in a bedchamber that is somehow “secret”—the inhabitation of which “the Master” may not approve of, it goes on to recount Lockwood’s perusal of a diary kept by one “Catherine Earnshaw” and soon moves to a dream Lockwood has.

 

  1. Lockwood’s dream seems to contain some elements of his experience during the previous couple of days.  What particular influence can you detect on his dream-images?

 

  1. What do you make of the ghostly manifestation of the young lady outside the window?  Who do you suppose it is?  Are we supposed to believe it is part of Lockwood’s dream or a real phenomenon?  Why?

 

  1. What is the significance of Heathcliff’s reaction to discovering Lockwood in this “secret chamber”?  Why is he so upset about  what Lockwood tells him about his “dream” vision?

 

  1. On page 27, how would attempt to explain Heathcliff’s behavior?

 

  1. Not how far distant Thrushcross Grange is from Wuthering Heights; this may be significant later. . . .