Over the years of the Victoria Classics Book Club, our group has grown to encompass thousands of members connected by a love of reading. Below, find discussion questions for past volumes, which can be explored further on our Book Selections page. We also invite you to join the ongoing conversation on our Facebook page, where you will meet a delightful coterie of devoted readers.
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
Become immersed in this sweeping tale of romance and revenge. Amid the atmospheric setting of the moorlands of West Yorkshire in England, Emily Brontë details the family drama that unfolds across generations in Wuthering Heights. The relationship between Heathcliff and Catherine remains one of the most memorable in all of literature. The luxuriously illustrated edition available in our online shop is perfect for anyone who feels a connection to this enduring volume.
Emily Brontë’s tale of love and revenge that takes place at the turn of the nineteenth century. Is this the first time you’ve read this book, or was it required reading in school? If it is the former, what are your first impressions? If it is the latter, what new insights are you gleaning?
As we read along in Wuthering Heights, the setting is a character all on its own. By its very name— “wuthering” means “a strong wind with a roaring sound” in Northern England—Brönte’s prose evokes images of a desolate, windswept landscape. Do you think the storyline would work as well if the book was set in a cozy village in the Cotswolds? Why or why not?
We learn that although Heathcliff was treated badly in his younger life, his stepfather’s wealth allows him the opportunity to rise above it all. Instead, he chooses to focus all his efforts on revenge. Can you think of someone who had a similar rough start to life but instead opted to build a life based on gratitude and goodwill?
For a menu of classic British fare to savor during peaceful hours of reading Wuthering Heights, enjoy “Comforts from the Cottage Table.”
We are presented with plenty of evidence for both sides of the long-running debate: Is the overriding theme of Wuthering Heights deep, enduring love or all-consuming revenge? Which one do you think it is—and why?
As we near the final chapters, we have an appreciation for the writer’s impactful prose. Perhaps the book’s most memorable passage is when Catherine says, “He’s more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.” Have you ever met someone that seems to be your “soulmate,” whether it’s a spouse, a friend, or a family member?
We now reach the closing pages of Wuthering Heights—a tale which has summoned strong emotions and taught us much about the social mores of early nineteenth-century England. Did you enjoy reading this story? How do you think it compares with other books from this genre, such as Jane Eyre and Great Expectations?
Find Victoria Classics Book Club resources—including discussion questions, companion materials, and a reader forum—at Victorimag.com!