The happenings in the given excerpt from Wuthering Heights, written by Emily Brontë, bring about an important turn in the action of the novel.
It first describes a scene in Catherine Linton`s room at Thrushcross Grange. After a quarrel between Heathcliff, Edgar Linton and Catherine, Catherine drives herself extremely mad to the point where she becomes mentally and physically ill. Nelly Dean is the narrator of the passage, she both observes and is involved in the action herself. As she witnesses how helpless Edgar Linton is – uncertain of what to think or do for his wife, Nelly calls the doctor in the village.
As Nelly passes the garden to reach the road, she makes a terrifying discovery: Isabella Linton`s springer Fanny is hung on a bridle hook, almost “at its last gasp” (Brontë 1847: 144). Nelly releases Fanny, wondering who was capable of committing such a crime, and as she sets off to reach the doctor, she hears horses galloping in the distance.
Both the dog itself and the action of its hanging have a symbolic meaning. That the dog is a symbol reflecting Isabella Linton and that Fanny`s hanging represents Heathcliff`s diabolical hate and brutality, shall be focused on in my essay through having a closer look at the characters of Isabella Linton and Heathcliff and by interpreting the given excerpt. I will start by analysing the role of Nelly Dean before moving on to symbolism and the function the excerpt has in the frame of the whole story.
Table of Contents
1. The Function of Nelly Dean and the Dog in chapter 12 in Wuthering Heights
2. The happenings in the given excerpt
3. Nelly Dean leads the reader through the whole passage
4. In the given excerpt Nelly delivers an exact description of her discovery late at night
5. The short excerpt is also filled with various symbols
6. Isabella’s dog differs from other dogs described in the novel
7. Heathcliff’s passion turns into violence and immeasurable hatred
8. Further symbols, of minor importance however, are the handkerchief
9. All these events happen at a time when people normally sleep
10. The main function the excerpt has with regard to the whole story
Objectives and Themes
This essay examines the symbolic function of Nelly Dean's narration and the imagery of the dog in chapter 12 of Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights, focusing on how these elements foreshadow the introduction of evil into Thrushcross Grange.
- The narrative role and reliability of Nelly Dean as an observer.
- Symbolic interpretation of Isabella Linton's dog, Fanny.
- The portrayal of Heathcliff’s violence and his drive for revenge.
- The atmospheric shift and introduction of evil at Thrushcross Grange.
- The thematic importance of the chapter as a turning point in the novel.
Excerpt from the Book
The Function of Nelly Dean and the Dog in chapter 12 in Wuthering Heights
It first describes a scene in Catherine Linton`s room at Thrushcross Grange. After a quarrel between Heathcliff, Edgar Linton and Catherine, Catherine drives herself extremely mad to the point where she becomes mentally and physically ill. Nelly Dean is the narrator of the passage, she both observes and is involved in the action herself. As she witnesses how helpless Edgar Linton is – uncertain of what to think or do for his wife, Nelly calls the doctor in the village.
As Nelly passes the garden to reach the road, she makes a terrifying discovery: Isabella Linton`s springer Fanny is hung on a bridle hook, almost “at its last gasp” (Brontë 1847: 144). Nelly releases Fanny, wondering who was capable of committing such a crime, and as she sets off to reach the doctor, she hears horses galloping in the distance.
Both the dog itself and the action of its hanging have a symbolic meaning. That the dog is a symbol reflecting Isabella Linton and that Fanny`s hanging represents Heathcliff`s diabolical hate and brutality, shall be focused on in my essay through having a closer look at the characters of Isabella Linton and Heathcliff and by interpreting the given excerpt. I will start by analysing the role of Nelly Dean before moving on to symbolism and the function the excerpt has in the frame of the whole story.
Summary of Chapters
1. The Function of Nelly Dean and the Dog in chapter 12 in Wuthering Heights: This section serves as the introductory premise for the essay, setting the scope for the analysis of specific narrative elements in Brontë's work.
2. The happenings in the given excerpt: This chapter outlines the immediate events surrounding Catherine's breakdown and the discovery of the abused animal, establishing the context for the analysis.
3. Nelly Dean leads the reader through the whole passage: This part examines Nelly's narrative style, focusing on her objectivity and her position as an unreliable narrator.
4. In the given excerpt Nelly delivers an exact description of her discovery late at night: This section analyzes specific textual evidence from the excerpt to explore how Nelly’s reporting style colors the reader's perception.
5. The short excerpt is also filled with various symbols: This chapter shifts to the symbolic landscape of the text, specifically addressing the role of dogs as recurring motifs for violence.
6. Isabella’s dog differs from other dogs described in the novel: This section differentiates the characterization of Fanny from other canine figures and connects her treatment to Isabella’s own personality traits.
7. Heathcliff’s passion turns into violence and immeasurable hatred: This chapter analyzes Heathcliff's psychological motivations and his role as the harbinger of evil at Thrushcross Grange.
8. Further symbols, of minor importance however, are the handkerchief: This part investigates secondary symbols such as the handkerchief and soundscapes that contribute to the novel's gothic atmosphere.
9. All these events happen at a time when people normally sleep: This section discusses the environmental and temporal setting as a reflection of the disruption of the natural order.
10. The main function the excerpt has with regard to the whole story: This final analytical chapter evaluates the long-term impact of these events on the characters and the plot trajectory.
Keywords
Wuthering Heights, Emily Brontë, Nelly Dean, Heathcliff, Isabella Linton, Symbolism, Narrative, Violence, Chapter 12, Thrushcross Grange, Literature Analysis, Unreliable Narrator, Revenge, Gothic Novel, Character Study.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this academic essay?
The essay analyzes the symbolic significance of Nelly Dean’s narrative role and the imagery of the hanged dog in chapter 12 of Wuthering Heights.
What are the central themes discussed in the work?
The work focuses on narrative reliability, the symbolism of animals in literature, the manifestation of Heathcliff's violent nature, and the introduction of gothic elements into domestic spheres.
What is the author's main research objective?
The objective is to interpret how the events in the selected excerpt serve as a critical turning point for the characters and the overall narrative structure of the novel.
Which methodology is applied to the literary analysis?
The author uses a close reading approach, examining character dynamics, narrative perspective, and symbolic motifs within the text.
What is the primary subject matter of the main body?
The main body covers the analysis of Nelly Dean as a narrator, the symbolic representation of Isabella Linton through her dog, and the psychological roots of Heathcliff's brutality.
Which keywords define this analysis?
Key terms include Wuthering Heights, Symbolism, Heathcliff, Nelly Dean, Violence, and Narrative Perspective.
How does the author characterize Nelly Dean's narrative style?
Nelly is characterized as a meticulous observer who, despite her claims to objectivity, subtly influences the reader, acting at times as an unreliable narrator.
How does the hanging of the dog symbolize the change at Thrushcross Grange?
The hanging represents the introduction of external, diabolical forces from Wuthering Heights into the relatively stable environment of Thrushcross Grange, signaling a shift toward trauma and suffering.
What connection does the essay make between Isabella and her dog?
The essay argues that the treatment of the dog, Fanny, serves as a mirror for Isabella's own character traits—her egoism, cruelty, and her complicated relationships with those around her.
- Quote paper
- Beate Wilhelm (Author), 2004, The function of Nelly Dean and the Dog in chapter 12 in Wuthering Heights, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/65791
