ENGLISH IV AP SUMMER ASSIGNMENT
Wuthering Heights

Read Wuthering Heights over the summer. Be prepared for a reading quiz at the
beginning of school. Also, be prepared to discuss the novel with depth and
maturity befitting an AP student.

Complete the reading journal assignment as you read the novel.

Once you have finished the novel, complete the following assignments:
A. List some topics / questions (at least 10) that you would like to discuss.
B. From the AP question list (on my website), choose a question and write an
analytical essay over Wuthering Heights. Must be hand written.
C. Find a poem that in some way relates to the novel. Write a short paragraph or
list reasons why you chose the poem and how it correlates with the novel.
Identify specific passages from both for comparison. Retype the poem or
bring a copy with you to class.
D. Answer the discussion questions over the novel.

Complete an author profile of Emily Bronte. You may just list things about her
life and her work or you may complete something more creative. The goal is to
get to know her.
Research a Philosopher
 Research the philosopher you were assigned. Type a two-page paper with biographical
information, an explanation of major philosophic ideas with reference to writings, and
criticism of the ideas.
 Complete a 14” x 22” (half a poster board) poster delineating the most important aspects
of the philosopher.
Include (at least) the following on your poster:
* Biographical information with a picture
* Explanation of major philosophic ideas with quotes
* List of works
Be creative with the poster. I plan to hang these in the room so we can
refer to them as we discuss various novels and ideas.
Literary Terms:
Define the terms below:
Antithesis
Characters (Flat and Round)
Foil
Gothic Romance novel
Metaphor
Noble Savage
Picaresque
Satire
Tone
Archetype
Diction
Frame story
Imagery
Mood
Paradox
Primitivism
Syntax
Verisimilitude
Byronic hero
Figure of Speech
Genre
Irony (Verbal & Situational)
Motif
Parallelism
Prose
Symbol
Wuthering Heights Discussion Questions
1. Why do you think Emily Bronte chose to unfold the story through the secondary
sources of Ellen’s narrative, Mr. Lockwood’s visits, and Catherine’s diary? How
would the story have differed if it had been told chronologically? Do you trust
the narrators’ version of the events that took place? Or are they, from time to
time, a bit unreliable?
2. Compare Catherine’s love for Heathcliff with her love for Edgar. What are the
defining characteristics of each relationship? Do you think Catherine regrets her
choice of husband?
3. One critic stated that WH is “truly a novel without a hero or heroine.” What do
you think of this statement? Is Heathcliff a hero or a villain?
4. List the characteristics of Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange. How do
the descriptions reflect differences between the Earnshaws and the Lintons?
5. The love relationship of young Cathy and Hareton mirrors the love between
Catherine and Heathcliff. How do the younger characters resemble their older
counterparts? Then consider how the younger generation is different from their
“parents.” ( Heathcliff considers Hareton to be more his offspring than his own
son, Linton)
6. How does Bronte maintain our sympathy for Catherine and Heathcliff even when
their behavior becomes increasingly selfish and destructive?
7. List the antithetical elements found in WH.