WAEC Literature in English 2022 Theory — Question 7

Model answer

Points to develop: i. Relation to theme; ii. Character identification; iii. Lockwood's experience on his visit; iv. The presence of the supernatural in the novel; v. Contribution of the visit to the development of plot. The novel Wuthering Heights deals with the upheavals within the upper middle class English society due to internal and external forces. These generate sub-themes like marriage, revenge, poverty, ownership, among other themes. The theme of class conflict is also seen in the struggle to attain the ownership of Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange by Heathcliff due to maltreatment from Hindley Earnshaw and Edgar Linton. Lockwood is Heathcliff's tenant at Thrushcross Grange. Lockwood is a narrator in the novel. Lockwood is a commentator who provides a perspective to the narration. He is in Wuthering Heights to introduce himself to his landlord, Mr. Heathcliff. Lockwood is portrayed as a naïve narrator who is prone to making vain and amusing mistakes. He mistakes Cathy for Mrs. Heathcliff even though it is clear to him that 'there was too great disparity between the ages of the parties to make it likely that they were man and wife'. He spends the night at Wuthering Heights. Lockwood narrates his conversation with the ghost of Catherine. He observes that Heathcliff's torment over the loss of Catherine Earnshaw is unnatural. In fact, Heathcliff pines over Catherine; he is violent in matters concerning Catherine. Lockwood's visit introduces the reader to the power play or conflict in the household of Wuthering Heights. Heathcliff has control over Cathy and he disdains Hareton with passion. Hareton is portrayed as being aggressive and uncouth because of his sensibility to his status. The visit shows the unfriendly nature of both Wuthering Heights and its occupants.