Summative Journal - Conflict's Cost

            What defines conflict? Is it perpetual? Is it an aspect of chaos? Or an opportunity for growth? Why is it often labeled as a property of evil? These are the questions that I have finally resolved with the conclusion of Wuthering Heights.

In the novel’s final pages we learn of the demise of Heathcliff, a man who’s existence is within itself the a representation of conflict’s continuity, The fact that he was an orphan instilled within him a need to oppose society’s perception of him with the acknowledgement that with perseverance “his very [weaknesses would] sharpen his wits to find a substitute to strength” – pg 273. Unfortunately his substitution was the conflict of others, and the weapon he forged through it had a second blade as a handle, which with ever use, bled him of his sanity. Soon the loss became too great for his body to compensate and he died a restless death; “with a frightful, lifelike gaze of exultation [which] would not shut //[and] [sneered] at attempts //[with] parted lips and sharp white teeth” – Pg 318. The conflict so ubiquitous in his life not only drained him of his health, but also proceeded to contort his body, almost as if it buckled under the overbearing pressure of conflict’s presence.

I have come to believe this as the essence of conflict. It’s a drug like caffeine; in small doses it gives us the strength to persevere, but in large doses we become dependant on it and it begins to rule our lives. We search daily for a fix and refuse to operate without it; all the while it undermines our independence and manipulates our priorities and actions.

Beyond analyzing the overall effect of prolonged conflict, we also observed the different forms conflict presented itself in. The traditional physical aspect was present, however as was emotional conflict. Throughout the novel we learned of Linton’s condition. His position in society is alike Heathcliff, however his sickly stature prevents him from executing physical abuse so instead he torments those around him emotionally; “Linton had that distorted nature. He’ll never let his friends be at ease, and he’ll never be at ease himself.” – Pg 243 No one was more effected by this than Catherine.

Catherine’s character began as a timid young girl curious and open to the world, however her interactions with Linton changed that. “Catherine’s face [became] just like the landscape – shadows and sunshine flitting over it in rapid succession; but the shadows rested longer, and the sunshine was more transient; and her poor little heart reproached itself for even that passing forgetfulness of its cares” – Pg 253. As apposed to making her fearful and untrusting as physical conflict would, emotional conflict changed and hardened her, which ultimately was reflected in her appearance.  This has led us to believe conflict is a tool for growth, however the strength gained often undermines innocence and morality. Furthermore, conflicts lost both weaken us and undermines our moral compasses in further engagements. It is because of this that conflict acts as an aspect of chaos and darkness; despite the strengthening effect it can create.

Overall I feel this novel draws numerous parallels to society. Upon finishing the novel, I was given time to reflect upon the story as a whole. The novel connects to society on many levels; the harsher aspects of human nature, the struggles for power of varying levels we face each and every day, and even our perceptions on the former. For example, Heathcliff and satan's character in Milton's Paradise Lost are nearly identical in biography and appearance, and even more so in their reception. They also have similar derivation for their inner darkness; they both lost power in a place they once felt acceptance/in shelter; Heathcliff in the first days he was adopted, and satan in Heaven before being banished. 

I believe our group has worked quite effectively overall, however we didn’t have much discussion this week due to the fact that we finished the book and had many of our questions answered. The discussion we did have was in relation to conflict and violence and was quite rich. My goal for the next lit circle is to pick on of the words to focus our discussion on before we read, as I felt it was much easier to see the examples within the text and form opinions/interpretations and build upon each other’s understandings as apposed to trying to match our discussion to a word afterwards having it. 

Journal 4 - Conflict and Decay

            What defines conflict? Is it perpetual? Is it an aspect of chaos? Or an opportunity for growth? Why is it often labeled as a property of evil? These are the questions that I have finally resolved with the conclusion of Wuthering Heights.

In the novel’s final pages we learn of the demise of Heathcliff, a man who’s existence is within itself the a representation of conflict’s continuity, The fact that he was an orphan instilled within him a need to oppose society’s perception of him with the acknowledgement that with perseverance “his very [weaknesses would] sharpen his wits to find a substitute to strength” – pg 273. Unfortunately his substitution was the conflict of others, and the weapon he forged through it had a second blade as a handle, which with ever use, bled him of his sanity. Soon the loss became too great for his body to compensate and he died a restless death; “with a frightful, lifelike gaze of exultation [which] would not shut //[and] [sneered] at attempts //[with] parted lips and sharp white teeth” – Pg 318. The conflict so ubiquitous in his life not only drained him of his health, but also proceeded to contort his body, almost as if it buckled under the overbearing pressure of conflict’s presence.

I have come to believe this as the essence of conflict. It’s a drug like caffeine; in small doses it gives us the strength to persevere, but in large doses we become dependant on it and it begins to rule our lives. We search daily for a fix and refuse to operate without it; all the while it undermines our independence and manipulates our priorities and actions.

Beyond analyzing the overall effect of prolonged conflict, we also observed the different forms conflict presented itself in. The traditional physical aspect was present, however as was emotional conflict. Throughout the novel we learned of Linton’s condition. His position in society is alike Heathcliff, however his sickly stature prevents him from executing physical abuse so instead he torments those around him emotionally; “Linton had that distorted nature. He’ll never let his friends be at ease, and he’ll never be at ease himself.” – Pg 243 No one was more effected by this than Catherine.

Catherine’s character began as a timid young girl curious and open to the world, however her interactions with Linton changed that. “Catherine’s face [became] just like the landscape – shadows and sunshine flitting over it in rapid succession; but the shadows rested longer, and the sunshine was more transient; and her poor little heart reproached itself for even that passing forgetfulness of its cares” – Pg 253. As apposed to making her fearful and untrusting as physical conflict would, emotional conflict changed and hardened her, which ultimately was reflected in her appearance.  This has led us to believe conflict is a tool for growth, however the strength gained often undermines innocence and morality. Furthermore, conflicts lost both weaken us and undermines our moral compasses in further engagements. It is because of this that conflict acts as an aspect of chaos and darkness; despite the strengthening effect it can create.

I believe our group has worked quite effectively overall, however we didn’t have much discussion this week due to the fact that we finished the book and had many of our questions answered. The discussion we did have was in relation to conflict and violence and was quite rich. My goal for the next lit circle is to pick on of the words to focus our discussion on before we read, as I felt it was much easier to see the examples within the text and form opinions/interpretations and build upon each other’s understandings as apposed to trying to match our discussion to a word afterwards having it. 

Lit Circle Summative 1

Pain Glog

My glog is a representation of pain in both the literal sense and in the imagery used. I brought in my connection in the form of a pop culture music video from youtube(Grenade by Bruno Mars). For the section on growth, I brought in images of trees to represent two things. The first is how pain spreads to it's surroundings like wild fire, burning away all the nutrients for a nourished and comfortable life. The second is the way pain alters our needs. I placed the tree in a splotch of red (blood) to symbolize how Heathcliff feeds of the pain of others. He uses it for growth and survival to compensate for his social disadvantages. Finally i used quotes from various characters to emphasize the different ways pain can be received and interpreted. Although they are all similar, their ideas on how pain can be dealt with vary largely. The moving eyes in the title are an extended illustration of Heathcliff's quote in that they represent the mistrust and eternal inner conflict that arise as a result of pain felt from a young age.

Response

Well done you are on the right path! YOu have many great and insightful points which you have well supported. YOur discussion about your group is well done is well aussi. You also look at teh big picture by discussing by looking at humanity. I am not sure what else to tell you. You know what to do. You can try challenging yourself by trying a variety of connections in one journal. Keep up the good work.

Lit Circle Journal #2

This week our lit circle read up to chapter 18. This middle section of the book by far mitigates the darkness of the beginning. We have further investigated the past of Heathcliff and learned the extent of his evil nurturing. Rather, though, than empathize with his condition, we are nearly as desensitized from his pain as he is from his emotions. When we read of Catherine’s death we learned a frightful truth in his reaction. “I thought the very intensity of his gaze would bring tears to his eyes; but they burned with anguish, they did not melt” –P 155. Although he had lost the one thing he truly cared for in life, he couldn’t express his emotions. The pain had made him stereotypically strong in the masculine perception and allowed him to grow into a man indifferent to pain, but through the eyes of a human he was weak and destroyed. He became even more obsessed with preventing the loss of the little he had. He prayed that Catherine “not rest as long as [he is] living” - P 163. He was so lost that he wished her to “be with [him] always” and “not leave [him] in the abyss where [he] cannot find [her]” – P 163. Our group discussed this and debated the definition of love; is it always healthy, or is it an obsession we obtain with others that we must learn to balance? Is it because Heathcliff’s life is so out of order and lost that his love has taken this misguided form, or something deeper?

            As mentioned earlier, the novel also delves deeper into the divisions of class we assert upon ourselves and the distinction of man and animal. Heathcliff’s wife Isabella often asks “Is he a man? If so, is he mad? And if not, is he the devil?” P 134. Throughout the novel his apathy leads us to believe that he is more of a fiend than anything else. The reason for this can be found through his treatment of Isabella; “ [she] gave him [her] heart, and he took and pinched it to death, and flung it back to [her]. People feel with their hearts, and since he has destroyed [ours], [we] have not the power to feel for him” P 168.  The cruelty he has shown is short of barbaric, and as human we are hard stricken to forgive. Because of this both the characters and we have lost the ability to sympathize with him, which makes him appear all the more cruel. Our tendencies to label and categorize the world around us make us blind to the existence of multiple aspects to identity; instead of seeing a building with a multitude of varying infrastructures that allow it to exist cohesively, we see a single piece of plywood. Instead of realizing it is capable to fix a single structure and save the larger identity, we see a hole that must be patched. Normally our humanity to drive us attempt to patch it anyway, in Heathcliff however, the hole appears to outdo the value of workable material; he is to hard to patch.

            In conclusion our group decided that pain does bring growth, but in the way a muscle is strengthened. Pain destroys the weaker portions of us and allows our strengths to fill the gaps, however if the pain exceeds the capacity of the person, it takes away our strength as well. If we can find redirection or intervention it is possible to make a recovery over a period of time, if not the pain often consumes us. As if Heathcliff wasn’t enough proof, Hindley lives example; “Grief, and that, together transformed him into a complete hermit. When we have no where to turn, we often resort to the dark recesses of our humanity, we weave a shell of mistrust and hatred and don’t give others the chance to hurt us as we hide behind it.

            I feel our group was particularly effective this week with our discussions. We all contributed and challenged each other’s ideas, which allowed us to understand the essential questions to a deeper extent and see the different ways we interoperated the character’s identities. My goal for next week is to ask questions more closely related to the EQs as apposed to individual quotes and wording as I felt the best understanding came from analyzing the text in relation to a EQ.

response

Ok- I just typed in your comment and hit something and lost it. so here goes round two. Your analysis is insightful, well supported and so true. Why is it that he feels so much of an outsider? he is wanted yet he can't be accepted? will he ever be? Does society even today in certain circles accept those who are different.? heatcliff tries to belong but doea he ever fit in?
Could you also add to your reflection your metacognition piece. How you felt you contributed or were involved inthe discussion. Do you think you are doing ok adn actively grouwing from discussing the novel etc....

Overall, your analysis was very well done, I will have to sit and chat with your group because gthere is so much to discuss with your book and all the layers of what is occurring,.

Lit Circle Journal #1

This week we read the first 7 chapters of Wuthering Heights and began to analyze the setting and the difference/ similarities between Heathcliff and Lockwood. We noted that class seemed to be a defining attribute that Lockwood based his assumptions on, which tells not only of his character but the time of the novel. We focused on distinguishing factors between the two characters, such as Heathcliff being a "dark-skinned gypsy in aspect in dress and manners a gentleman..."- pg 11, a man who doesn’t conform to stereotypes, while Lockwood is more of the traditional image of class. Their appearances also somewhat reflect their identities; Heathcliff being a dark and mysteriously foreboding orphan. Lockwood on the other hand is a man very aware of his social standing and is willing to assert his perceived authority granted by class. As we delve deeper into the novel we learn of the twisted family tree that exists while we begin to question the concept of family. Although many of the characters are related, they often appear to be enemies who grieve at the presence of one another. It almost seems a warning of a dark past best not explored.

         We also explored the setting. It was dark and most foremost unwelcoming. Lockwood exists the prevailing cold and enters the mysterious house “without any introductory lobby or passage” – pg 11. He also notes that “in Wuthering heights the kitchen if forced to retreat” into the far corner of the house. – pg 10 This simple implication; the heart of this house is far hidden, and there is no welcome to be found here, further emphasizes how cold and desolate the scene is. The entire place screams outwardly against intrusion, and the quickening winds set an atmosphere of chaos and danger.

         As we read further we learned more of Heathcliff’s past, and questioned the connotations the book creates around darkness, pain and conflict. Our group concluded that each one of those reflections of Heathcliff was a result of the psychological and emotional suffering he experienced as a permanent outsider in a home that couldn’t accept him.