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.
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
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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