Considering the use of motifs in Bronte's 'Wuthering Heights'
I can explain and analyse Brontë’s use of the window motif in 'Wuthering Heights'.
Considering the use of motifs in Bronte's 'Wuthering Heights'
I can explain and analyse Brontë’s use of the window motif in 'Wuthering Heights'.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Brontë uses a window motif throughout 'Wuthering Heights'.
- Windows are a threshold space that might represent ideas of confinement, exclusion and distance.
- Arguably, Brontë uses window motifs throughout 'Wuthering Heights' in order to represent social divisions.
- She may also use windows in order to foreshadow how Heathcliff and Cathy are separated.
Keywords
Motif - an object, image, sound or phrase that is repeated throughout a story that relates to the themes
Threshold - a point of departure or transition
Confinement - the situation in which a person or animal is kept somewhere
Exclusion - an instance of leaving something or someone out
Common misconception
That a recurring image happens by accident - especially if it's an everyday object then it's likely to be meaningless.
Images are often symbols for deeper meaning in literature - especially everyday, domestic objects and then can represent ideas about the central theme of a text.
To help you plan your year 11 english lesson on: Considering the use of motifs in Bronte's 'Wuthering Heights', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 11 english lesson on: Considering the use of motifs in Bronte's 'Wuthering Heights', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 english lessons from the Fiction: books that changed my world unit, dive into the full secondary english curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
You will need a copy of extracts from Chapters 3 and 6 of 'Wuthering Heights' which are available in the additional materials.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
Loading...
