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Students in AG/Honors English IV
Dr. Brooks
Summer Reading
May 2013
Your summer reading assignment is Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. It was
published in 1847 under the (male) pseudonym Ellis Bell. "Wuthering" was a local term in the
north of England describing the fierce and wild winds that blow during storms on the moors. In
the novel, the house was named Wuthering Heights, because it was exposed to the moor's harsh
weather. Likewise, we will "wuther" this novel together. The book provides a good story with
strong characterization; I hope you like it. We will have a reading test the first day back.
We have copies in our media center, you may purchase a copy, or locate one yourself.
Several seniors may still have copies they would gladly pass on to you. The book is available at
any bookstore, or you can find it for a good price used online at www.amazon.com or
www.barnesandnoble.com. Be sure you get the unabridged version. If you have difficulty
finding a copy, let me know.
Below are vocabulary words that you will encounter as you read Wuthering Heights.
These words have appeared on previous versions of the SAT, as well. We will have three
vocabulary quizzes (one on each set) during the first two weeks of school. You will already
know some of the words, will figure some out by context clues, and may need to look some of
them up. At any rate you need to be ready to show me you know them well when school starts. I
know it is a lot of vocabulary, but knowing these words will help you understand the book better.
Students often use resources like Quizlet.com to help review. Do what works best for you.
I would also like for you to read one other book of your choice this summer. One
place to look for high interest books is The New York Times Bestseller List. You can find the
top fiction and non-fiction books at: http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller/ The
Wilkes County Public Library often has copies of the books on this list. They keep an updated
list at the check-out desk with the books they have on hand highlighted. Let me know if you need
suggestions or e-mail me if you want to know if I think a particular title is appropriate. Be
prepared to talk about your books when school starts. We will do some writing related to them,
as well. The important thing is that you read this summer.
Because you do not know whether you are scheduled to have Honors English in fall or
spring semester, you should read the book over the summer.
I am looking forward to our English class. I hope you enjoy your summer break. Email
me if you have questions: brooksj@wilkes.k12.nc.us
Vocabulary
Wuthering Heights
by Emily Brontë
Chapters I-X:
desolation, resolution, soliloquize, stunted, abode, slovenly, squire, impertinence,
attribute, parry, inhospitable, churlish, pigeon-cote, peat, ferocious, countenance, venture,
conjecture, condole, listless, morsel, sobriety, preposterous, endeavor, suppress, kindle,
blubber, compel, interloper, wheedle, grievously, curate, plague, threshold, degradation,
reprimand, vociferous, throttle, expostulate, flog, fiend, prognosticate, infernal, coquette,
poignant, fidget, quiver, wretch, perdition, imprecation, annihilate, delirium, esteem,
munificent, concession, degradation, aversion, obstinate, covetousness, deplorable,
avarice, feign, discourse, saucy
Chapters XI-XX:
infernal, propriety, acquiesce, elicit, pertinacious, apathetic, derangement, fret,
presumptuous, doleful, audible, sneer, adjuration, abhorrence, venomous, epistle,
incredulous, paltry, saunter, diabolical, bereavement, aversion, confound, sullen, taunt,
gallows, judicious, gaunt, quench, ponder, deportment, gusto, ruddy, interpose, assertion,
physiognomy, culpable, peevish, sanctimonious, sanguine, trepidation
Chapters XXI-XXXIV:
parlor, sally, irresolute, mortification, evince, ardor, obstinate, disposition, folly, entreat,
compunction, peruse, jubilee, reconcile, buoyant, lamentation, asunder, moors, haggard,
pettishness, scruple, wan, reproach, supplicate, trifling, spurn, vexation, grovel,
ostensible, perish, injunction, repulse, cunning, feebleness, pacify, acquiesce, farthing,
destitute, sulky, soliloquy, vile, preclude, devastate, fortnight, skirmish, ingenuity,
morose, obdurate, perversity, reprovingly, paragon, disparagement, antipathy, potent,
shun, admonition, contemptuous, hue, incarnate, compliance, sexton, dismal,
expostulation
This Reading Guide is meant to help you as you read. It is not an additional
assignment.
I.
Narrative Frames and Wuthering Heights Narrators:
Wuthering Heights is a frame story. One part of the frame story involves the
"narrative present"--i.e. the present time frame of Lockwood being the new tenant
at Thrushcross Grange, located in the north of England. The first voice is that of
Lockwood. Lockwood is shocked and intrigued by his visits to Wuthering
Heights, the home of his landlord, Heathcliff. Lockwood becomes very ill, and
during his recuperation at Thrushcross Grange, he invites his housekeeper Nelly
Dean to tell him the full history of the strange inhabitants of Wuthering Heights.
Thus, the second and main narrator of Wuthering Heights is introduced: Nelly
Dean, a participant in the "history". She will relate her story to Lockwood, and to
us, the readers of Wuthering Heights. Her story, of course, is the "narrative past."
II.
The following will help you understand the novel as you read it:
VOLUME I
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Chapters 1-3, and part of chapter 4, are narrated by Lockwood in the Narrative
Present. Nelly Dean begins her story in chapter 4 on page 35.
Don't worry too much in the first three chapters about names and relationships.
These will become clearer as you read.
Chapters 4-7: Narrative Past - narrated by Nelly Dean
Chapters 7-10: Narrative Past - narrated by Nelly Dean
Chapters 10-14: Narrative Past - narrated by Nelly Dean
VOLUME II
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Chapter 1: Narrative Present - (briefly--Lockwood's health) narrated by Lockwood
Chapters 1-3: Narrative Past - narrated by Nelly Dean
Chapters 4-11: Narrative Past - narrated by Nelly Dean
Chapter 11: Brief return to Narrative Present, in which Nelly Dean informs
Lockwood that "These things happened last winter." Lockwood vows to leave the
area.
Chapters 11-16: Narrative Past - narrated by Nelly Dean
Chapters 16-17: Return to Narrative Present: "Thus ended Mrs. Dean's story."
Lockwood has recovered and plans to leave the Grange and return to London. He
visits his landlord Heathcliff to tell him his plans.
Chapters 18-20: Narrative Present and Immediate Past - Nelly provides Lockwood
with the "sequel of Heathcliff's history." (Some time has passed.)
Chapter 20: Narrative Present and Conclusion - narrated by Lockwood
What does Lockwood wonder as he visits the graves of Edgar, Catherine, and
Heathcliff?
III.
As you can see, an understanding of how the narrators interact and form the frame
story is vital to the understanding of Wuthering Heights.
IV.
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Themes to be aware of as you read:
Theme: The Role of Social Class
Theme: The Significance of Setting (nature, weather, houses, etc.)
Theme: Effects of love on ideas of selfhood and identity
Theme: Physical and Emotional Boundaries