Wuthering Heights Group

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rheap95
rheap95
Student
High School - 9th Grade

What impression does Mr. Lockwood form of Mr. Heathcliff when he first sees him?

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Posted by rheap95 on Sunday May 3, 2009 at 12:40 AM and tagged with heathcliff, literature.

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  1. accessteacher
    accessteacher Teacher
    High School - 10th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    The first chapter introduces us to our overall narrator, Mr. Lockwood, and also introduces us to the world of the moors, Wuthering Heights and Heathcliff. His first meeting with Heathcliff was favourable according to Lockwood, despite every hint suggesting otherwise to the reader. He describes Heathcliff as "A capital fellow!" Lockwood notes Heathcliff is incredibly reserved and seems to do everything he can to shun human contact, yet this is something that spurs Lockwood on to try and get to know Heathcliff more:

    I felt interested in a man who seemed more exaggeratedly reserved than myself.

    What follows is a description of the house, Wuthering Heights, and then more curious musings on Heathcliff and how he doesn't seem to fit in with his surroundings:

    But Mr. Heathcliff forms a singular contrast to his abode and style of living. He is a dark-skinned gypsy in aspect, in dress and manners a gentleman...

    Thus we are introduced to an unreliable narrator in Lockwood who misreads Heathcliff but also creates a mystery to engage the reader concerning the identity of Heathcliff and how he came to be where he is.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/wuthering-heights/chapter-1-summary...

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    Posted by accessteacher on Thursday August 13, 2009 at 1:55 PM