“Emily Brontë’s only novel is considered to be one of the most powerful and enigmatic works in English literature.” (Alexander/Smith 2003: 553)Wuthering Heights(first published in 1847) is indeed a very powerful novel which is to its greatest part achieved by its setting in the Yorkshire moors and the realistic representation of the local transactions. Emily Jane Brontë was born in 1818; at the age of two she moved with her family to Ha-worth, West Riding of Yorkshire. Except for a few short journeys, Emily Brontë stayed in Yorkshire all her life and could thus vividly describe her Yorkshire surroundings as the setting of her novel. Furthermore, the Yorkshire dialect (based on Haworth dialect) in the speech of some of her characters adds to the completeness of the novel’s setting (Waddin gton-Feather 2004: 1). Most characters in the novel use a dialect word or phrase every now and then; Joseph, however, speaks Yorkshire dialect almost exclusively.
Joseph is the old servant at Wuthering Heights (which is both, the name of the novel and that of the house). Joseph is very religious and loyal to whoever is his master at the time. Ac-cording to Ellen Dean, the housekeeper at Wuthering Heig hts, he is “the wearisomest, selfrighteous Pharisee that ever ransacked a Bible to rake the promises to himself and fling the curses on his neighbours.” (Brontë 1994: 48-49) Hence, Joseph is an ambiguous character in the mind of the reader: on the one hand, he is always grumpy, quite harsh and even mean at times; on the other hand, he is an old man who is always truthful and loyal ; it seems he is always as good a person as his respective master is.
Joseph’s use of dia lect reflects the roughness of Wuthering Heights and its surroundings. The old man speaks an old dialect and lives in the old farmhouse. The house is habitable but not comfortable and it is always exposed to stormy weather. The same holds true for Joseph’s dialect: it is intelligible but not easy to understand and it is constantly looked down upon by the higher classes. Joseph’s dialect sounds quite rough although there is a certain beauty in it, just like the Yorkshire moors are said to be rough but beautiful. Finally, it suggests a lack of education if a speaker uses dialect solely, as Joseph does. Nonetheless, Joseph and his dialect resist all the storms which approach throughout the novel.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Yorkshire Dialect in Victorian Fiction and Modern Reality
- 2.1. Joseph's Speech in Wuthering Heights
- 2.1.1. Spelling and Pronunciation
- 2.1.2. Grammar
- 2.1.3. Lexis
- 2.2. The Survey of English Dialects (SED)
- 2.1. Joseph's Speech in Wuthering Heights
- 3. Comparison between Joseph's Speech and Yorkshire Dialect in the SED
- 4. Conclusion
- 5. Works Cited
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper examines the Yorkshire dialect as depicted in Emily Brontë's *Wuthering Heights* and compares it to the Yorkshire dialect recorded in the Survey of English Dialects (SED). The primary objective is to analyze the author's representation of dialect, focusing on its role in characterizing Joseph, a key figure in the novel, and reflecting the social and historical context of 19th-century Yorkshire. The study also aims to explore the evolution of the dialect over time.
- Representation of dialect in 19th-century literature
- The use of dialect to characterize fictional figures
- Social and historical context of language use in Yorkshire
- Dialectal change and evolution
- Comparison of literary representation with linguistic surveys
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the paper by highlighting the significance of *Wuthering Heights* as a powerful work of English literature. It introduces Emily Brontë's life and her close connection to the Yorkshire moors, emphasizing the realistic representation of the local setting and dialect within the novel. The chapter focuses particularly on Joseph, an old servant whose speech is predominantly in the Yorkshire dialect, and its contribution to the novel's atmosphere and characterization. Joseph's ambiguous nature—a blend of grumpiness and loyalty—is presented as a reflection of the novel's rough yet beautiful setting.
2. Yorkshire Dialect in Victorian Fiction and Modern Reality: This chapter discusses the prevalence of spoken dialect in 19th-century Britain, except among the well-educated. It explores the use of dialect in literature as a means of characterizing characters regionally and socially, highlighting Emily Brontë's unique commitment to accurate dialect representation in *Wuthering Heights*. The chapter contrasts Brontë's approach with that of other novelists, emphasizing the challenges of conveying accurate speech through written language. It also touches upon the decline of Yorkshire dialect in modern times due to factors such as compulsory education and the influence of mass media.
2.1. Joseph's Speech in Wuthering Heights: This section delves into the specific details of Joseph's speech in *Wuthering Heights*. It acknowledges the alterations made by Charlotte Brontë to simplify the dialect for a broader readership but also emphasizes that the remaining dialectal features are still remarkably authentic. The chapter discusses the challenges readers face in determining the intended pronunciation from the spelling alone, providing examples from the text. It highlights Brontë's use of non-standard spelling, grammar, and lexis to create a realistic portrayal of Yorkshire dialect, acknowledging the inconsistencies typical of real-life dialect usage.
Wuthering Heights: Yorkshire Dialect - A Comprehensive FAQ
What is the main focus of this paper?
This paper examines the Yorkshire dialect as portrayed in Emily Brontë's *Wuthering Heights* and compares it to the Yorkshire dialect recorded in the Survey of English Dialects (SED). It analyzes the author's representation of dialect, focusing on its role in characterizing Joseph, a key figure in the novel, and reflecting the social and historical context of 19th-century Yorkshire. The study also explores the evolution of the dialect over time.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
The key themes include: representation of dialect in 19th-century literature; the use of dialect to characterize fictional figures; the social and historical context of language use in Yorkshire; dialectal change and evolution; and the comparison of literary representation with linguistic surveys.
What aspects of Joseph's speech are analyzed?
The paper analyzes Joseph's speech in *Wuthering Heights*, focusing on spelling and pronunciation, grammar, and lexis. It acknowledges the alterations made by Charlotte Brontë but emphasizes the remaining dialectal features' authenticity. The analysis highlights the challenges readers face in understanding the intended pronunciation from the spelling and discusses Brontë's use of non-standard features to create a realistic portrayal.
How does the paper compare Joseph's speech to the Survey of English Dialects (SED)?
The paper compares the Yorkshire dialect as represented in Joseph's speech to the data collected by the Survey of English Dialects (SED). This comparison allows for an assessment of the accuracy and representativeness of Brontë's portrayal of the dialect and reveals how the dialect has evolved over time.
What is the significance of the introductory chapter?
The introduction sets the scene, highlighting the importance of *Wuthering Heights* and Emily Brontë's connection to the Yorkshire moors. It introduces Joseph and his role in the novel, emphasizing the importance of his Yorkshire dialect in contributing to the novel's atmosphere and characterization.
What does the chapter on Yorkshire dialect in Victorian fiction and modern reality discuss?
This chapter discusses the use of dialect in 19th-century literature, contrasting Brontë's approach with that of other novelists. It explores the challenges of representing dialect accurately in writing and examines the decline of Yorkshire dialect in modern times due to factors like compulsory education and mass media.
What sources are cited in the paper?
The paper includes a dedicated "Works Cited" section, listing all the sources used in the research and analysis. While the provided preview doesn't list these sources, their inclusion indicates a commitment to academic rigor and proper attribution.
What is the overall conclusion of the paper?
The preview doesn't explicitly state the conclusion, but based on the objectives and themes, it is likely to summarize the findings of the comparison between Joseph's speech and the SED data, offering insights into Brontë's representation of dialect and its evolution.
What is the structure of the paper?
The paper is structured with an introduction, a chapter focusing on Yorkshire dialect in Victorian fiction and modern reality (including a sub-section on Joseph's speech), a chapter comparing Joseph's speech to the SED, a conclusion, and a works cited section. This structured approach facilitates a clear and logical flow of information.
- Quote paper
- Kirsten Nath (Author), 2005, Yorkshire Dialect in 19th Century Fiction and 20 th Century Reality. A Study of Dialectal Change with the Example of Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights and the Survey of English Dialects, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/45274