A variety of factors in texts can change or reinforce our initial impression of the general vision and viewpoint (2017)

#625Lab. Corrected by an experienced examiner, graded as 42/70 with feedback on how to improve below. You may also like: Leaving Cert English Complete Guide (€). 

I have studied ‘Wuthering Heights’ (WH) by Emily Brontë, and ‘A Doll’s House’ (ADH) by Henrik Ibsen. Throughout my study of the two texts, I have found that a variety of factors have helped to reinforce my initial vision and viewpoint, though in other instances my vision and viewpoint on certain aspects of the texts were completely altered.

Both texts explore the role of women, though in different ways. Despite the one hundred year gap between the settings of the two texts, we see the female characters being treated in similar negative ways in both, and it is clear that women did not hold the same status or power as men. In the early chapters of WH, we see Catherine living in the cold, stony Wuthering heights, completely under the control of Heathcliff. She is trapped in the house and has been denied any freedom. “They wouldn’t let me go to the end of the garden wall”. ADH, on the other hand, initially provides (L)more positive vision of the role of women. Though it is evident that Nora does not hold the same degree of power in her marriage as her husband (L) Torvald, she seems content in her situation playing the role of the submissive wife. She expresses her excitement over Torvald’s new promotion- (L)“we’re going to have heaps and heaps of money!”. This changes throughout the course of the play however- as Nora realises the true state of her marriage, Ibsen makes his vision and viewpoint on the role of women clear. He presents the vision that women are trapped and confined by marriage. Torvald sees Nora as a possession, “his property in a double sense”. We see Nora’s growth of character as she begins to question the societal norms and rules regarding women- “I cannot accept that such laws can be right.” Her situation is not unlike Isabella’s in WH. Isabella lives her days married to Heathcliff overwhelmed by fear as he makes her “Edgar’s proxy in suffering”. “A tiger, or a venomous serpent could not rouse terror in me equal to that which he wakens”. Brontë’s initial vision and viewpoint on the role of women is emphasized by Isabella’s terrible relationship with Heathcliff. I found the treatment of women in both WH and ADH to be very shocking and i(L) was left with a very negative view of the role of women during the 18th and 19th centuries. (The focus needs to be on GV&V, not view of women. How the view of women influences the GV&V should be the central point made in this section. Reference to Catherine seems lost or unfinished. The comparison is between Isabella and Nora, well made but needs to be brought back to the question.)

While both texts are centred around the theme of love, (I would always advise to avoid mentioning another mode, theme. It can hint at confusion.) the passion and drama featured in WH, perhaps the most epic love story ever written, contrasts drastically with the disappointing lack of true love between the Helmers in ADH.(L) though they initially appear to be quite happily married, my vision and viewpoint (Not a good choice of phrase as it is so close to GV&V) on Torvald and Nora’s relationship changes and the play progresses. Though Torvalds (L) sickeningly-sweet pet names for his wife may cause the audience to be overcome by a wave of second-hand embarrassment, the relationship initially appears to be a positive one. “Is that my skylark twittering out there?”. In a similar manner, Cathy and Heathcliff’s relationship is very positive from the beginning. The two struggled to be apart, even for a short period of time. “The greatest punishment we could invent for her was to keep her separate from him.” Heathcliff’s loyalty and love for Cathy is evident from early on in the novel and carries on throughout. “I resumed my situation as a spy, because, if Catherine had wished to return,(L) i intended shattering their great glass panes to a million pieces, unless they let her out.” (Jumps to another piece of evidence without drawing a conclusion in relation to question or showing how it follows on.) Nora often displays loyalty to her husband- “Mr Krogstad, I’ll trouble you to speak respectfully of my husband”- although she amuses herself by flirting with Torvald’s close friend, Dr Rank. “I suppose you can look a bit higher if you want to.” Torvald, on the other hand, cares more for his own reputation than for his wife. When Nora reveals her plans to commit suicide, he does not try to stop her, but only worries about how it would affect his image. “How would it help me if you were ‘gone from this world’ as you put it?”. This revelation of Torvald’s true opinion of his wife and marriage destroys any hope I had for their relationship and helps me to form a very negative view on the outcome of the Helmers’ marriage. There is a stark contrast between this relationship and Cathy and Heathcliff’s relationship. If there is one thing that exists between these true characters, it is true love. From my study of WH, it is clear to me that Brontë’s vision of a successful relationship relies heavily on true love. There is no doubt in the reader’s mind as the novel progresses that Heathcliff and Cathy love each other. “My love for Heathcliff resembles the eternal rocks beneath- a source of little visible delight, but necessary. Nelly, I am Heathcliff.” (L) this vision is reinforced by the ending of the novel- though the two tragically never get to be together on Earth, we know, from Brontë’s use of the supernatural, that their love continues on into the afterlife. “That old man by the kitchen fire affirms he has seen two on ‘em, looking out of his chamber window, on every night since his death.” Heathcliff and Torvald’s views on their relationships are extremely different- while Heathcliff’s dream is to be “sleeping the last sleep, by that sleeper, with my heart stopped, and my cheek frozen against hers,” Torvald only desires to have a wife who is obedient and makes him look good. “We must appear to be living together just as before. Only appear, of course.” this contrast emphasizes Ibsen’s negative vision and viewpoint on the relationship outcomes in the play, and my optimistic view of the relationships in WH. (Lots of great points and connections but they need to be in light of the question. How did this factor- love relationships – influence your view of GV&V in these texts? Did it change or reinforce your initial impression.)

Power and revenge are key themes (Avoid theme.) in WH and ADH, and are portrayed very negatively in both. Power is generally associated with the male characters in the texts- while Heathcliff and Torvald both regularly exert their power, we also see milder characters such as Edgar Linton take advantage of the status of men and their control over women at the time. From early on in WH we see Heathcliff use his power to create misery. Even as a child, he bullied Hindley into giving him what he wanted. “You must exchange horses with me, I don’t like mine, and if you wont I shall tell your father of the three thrashings you’ve given me this week.” though Torvald’s controlling nature is not initially quite as obvious, there is a sense of unease in the Helmer household. Nora is not even allowed to eat sweets. “Nora: (hiding the bag of macaroons) Shh! Shh!”. Edgar’s display of power, similarly, is subtle, but I found that it added to my negative view on the way power is abused in relationships in WH.(L) he grows jealous of Cathy and Heathcliff’s relationship, and forbids Cathy from seeing him. “I shall deny you, hereafter, admission into this house, and give notice, now, that I require your instant departure.” While this is the worst we see of Edgar abusing his power over Cathy, we see Krogstad take it to another level in ADH. He is fuelled by his desire for revenge, and blackmails Nora into doing what he wants. “If i (L)get thrown into the gutter for the second time, I shall take you with me”. (When making your comparison focus on whether this factor changed or reinforced your initial impression of GV&V?) This does not compare, however, to the extent Heathcliff goes to in order to carry out his revenge on Edgar. He marries Isabella, and both physically and emotionally abuses her in a twisted attempt to get back at the man who had married his soulmate. “He says he has married me on purpose to obtain power over him.” Heathcliff’s despicable treatment of Isabella- “she degenerates into a mere slut”- is comparable to Torvalds(L) psychological violence towards Nora. My negative vision and viewpoint on power in ADH is reinforced by Torvald’s reaction to Nora’s crime. He quickly decides that her actions allow him to exert even more power over her- “I shall be both your will and your conscience.” Brontë and Ibsen’s visions on power and revenge have shown me the negative impact that a power imbalance in a relationship can have, and have caused me to form a very pessimistic outlook on the role of men at the time the texts were written. (This section on power and it’s effect needs to be brought back to the question, did it change or reinforce your view of GV&V?)

Both ‘A Doll’s House’ and ‘Wuthering Heights’ have provided me with a variety of factors that have often either reinforced my vision and viewpoint on several key aspects of the texts.

Lots of positive in your answer, great textual knowledge, clear comparisons made, expressions is good. The question must be central, what was your initial impression of GV&V? This has to be established. Then how did your factors- women, love , power- change or reinforce this impression. Be clear on GV&V in each text. What is it? Does it change? ADH- negative in opening, reinforced throughout. WH- negative in opening, reinforced throughout. (My opinion, feel free to disagree.) All texts are expected in all comparative answers.

21-P-13

21-C-11

21-L- 11

7-M-7

42/70