Before I began reading the essay “Marxist Criticism and Wuthering Heights” I couldn’t help but wonder why I was reading “Marxist Criticism and Wuthering Heights”. Then, comically enough, I am greeted with: “To the question ‘What is Marxist criticism?’ it may be tempting to respond with another question: ‘What does it matter?’” Let’s face it; this isn’t an essay most students would read out of curiosity or because of the sheer tempting nature of the title. I am not one for politics, so I probably procrastinated the reading further than most. When I was finished with the first essay I felt rather disappointed. I do not feel like the question: “What does it matter?” ever really was answered after my reading. The content seemed to consist heavily of power hungry men fighting to have their own personal views of literature claimed as correct. The way that some of them tried to structuralize literature and view writers as the product of the times bothered me. Life just isn’t that simple. Perhaps it was all a little over my head and the point got lost.
However, reading on to the second essay where the topic was narrowed down to cover Wuthering Heights, my mind heaved a sigh of relief and I felt more clarity and interest. I do wish that I had read Jane Eyre since both articles contrast the two novels repeatedly by labeling Charlotte’s work to be mythical in an ideological sense and Emily’s as mythical in a timeless “worldview” sense. The thought that really engages me is when Eagleton speaks of Cathy’s trying to live two lives after she knows that she has made the wrong decision to marry Edgar. She has indeed committed a “spiritual suicide and murder” that naturally causes her own life and those around her to spiral out of control. This is not to say that Heathcliff didn’t cause sorrow, because he most definitely did his best to make everyone miserable. But when you betray yourself and do not seek to make things right, the balance of life is upset and only tends to get worse. I never really looked at their situation in light of this important factor.
Catherine is not the only one who betrays herself. Heathcliffe becomes “contradiction incarnate” when he rises from oppressed to oppressor and a sort of dark comedy is the result when he must use his powers within the confines of the capitalist class and the culture that he hates. All of this contradiction and self betrayal is perhaps what makes the novel so difficult to get through, but it also makes it truthful. Life is full of contradictions and pain, and not only do our social and physical situations cause us sorrow, but so does our tendency to make choices that betray ourselves. More times than not, we bring about our own suffering.
Both character are a bit of conundrum in my opinion. Neither can seem to make up their minds on what they really want...security, love, revenge? However, I think like you said I never was really able to articulate that feeling until I read this essay which helped clear up a lot about the characters.
ReplyDeleteI think power-hungry men fighting to have their own views made correct is a pretty concise observation as to why Marxism failed!
ReplyDeleteWhile the idea about bringing on ones own suffering is certainly more than valid, I think this viewpoint seems to absolve Heathcliff of some of the blame that, really, is entirely his. Hindley may have been a catalyst but Heathcliff allowed himself to be affected. Catherine's emotional suicide is certainly more than truthful, but it cannot be allowed to take the blame for Heathcliff's rampage.
I have to applaud you when you said "we bring about our own suffering." This one statement brings light to Heathcliff and Catherine. After everything they have done to those around them and that Heathcliff is planning to do, they both deserved what they received. Like we said in class many time. Heathcliff is like an unnatural storm and in the end it is that storm that kills him.
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