Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

Literature Lesson Plans - Sykalo Eugen 2024

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

Subject: English Literature

Grade Level: 10-12 (due to complexity and potentially mature themes)

Time Allotment: 4-6 weeks (depending on depth of study)

Learning Objectives:

  • Students will be able to analyze the Gothic elements and symbolic language used in "Wuthering Heights."
  • Students will be able to interpret the complex narrative structure and dual timelines.
  • Students will be analyze the characters' motivations, desires, and the destructive cycle of revenge and hatred that consumes them.
  • Students will be able to evaluate the themes of love, social class, nature vs. nurture, and the power of the past in the novel.
  • Students will be able to discuss the novel's unconventional portrayal of love and its enduring impact on literature.

Materials:

  • Copies of "Wuthering Heights" by Emily Brontë
  • Whiteboard/Projector
  • Markers/Pens
  • Chart paper or handout for note-taking
  • Family tree or timeline chart (optional)

Lesson Procedures:

Week 1: Introduction and Gothic Setting

  1. Brainstorming: Begin by asking students what they know about Gothic literature. Elicit responses and discuss key characteristics (e.g., suspense, mystery, supernatural elements, dark and brooding atmosphere).
  2. Setting the Stage: Introduce Emily Brontë and "Wuthering Heights" as a prime example of a Gothic novel. Discuss the importance of setting (Wuthering Heights vs. Thrushcross Grange) and how it contributes to the overall mood.

Weeks 2-3: Unraveling the Narrative

  1. Reading and Analyzing: Divide the novel into manageable sections, focusing on both past and present timelines. After each section, students engage in close reading activities, focusing on character development, plot progression, and symbolic language.
  2. Dual Timelines: Discuss the challenges and significance of the novel's dual timelines. How does the past influence the present lives of the characters? Consider creating a family tree or timeline chart (optional) to help students track relationships.
  3. Gothic Elements: Guide students to identify Gothic elements throughout the novel, such as ghosts, hauntings, storms, and dark secrets. How do these elements contribute to the suspense and atmosphere?

Week 4: Characters and Conflict

  1. Character Analysis: In small groups, students analyze specific characters (Heathcliff, Catherine Earnshaw, Cathy Linton, Hareton Earnshaw). Discuss their motivations, desires, and the ways they both perpetuate and are victims of the cycle of revenge.
  2. Love and Destruction: Facilitate a class discussion about the complex and destructive nature of love portrayed in the novel. How does Catherine's divided affections between Heathcliff and Edgar Linton set the stage for future conflict?

Week 5: Themes and Legacy

  1. Thematic Exploration: Analyze the central themes of the novel: love, social class, nature vs. nurture, and the power of the past. How does Brontë explore these themes through the characters' actions and choices?
  2. Unconventional Love: Discuss the unconventional portrayal of love in the novel, particularly Heathcliff's obsessive and destructive passion for Catherine. How does this differ from traditional romantic narratives?
  3. Enduring Impact: Explore the lasting impact of "Wuthering Heights" on literature. Discuss its influence on the Gothic genre and its contribution to complex portrayals of love and human relationships.

Week 6 (Optional):

  1. Creative Response: Students can choose a creative response activity, such as writing a diary entry from a character's perspective, creating a visual representation of a scene that emphasizes the Gothic elements, or composing a poem exploring a character's inner turmoil.
  2. Essay Writing: Students write an essay analyzing a specific theme or symbol in the novel and its significance. The essay should consider the Gothic elements, dual timelines, and the characters' motivations to support their analysis.

Differentiation:

  • Provide pre-reading activities, chapter summaries, or audiobooks for struggling readers.
  • Offer extension activities for advanced readers, such as researching the Brontë sisters and their historical context or comparing "Wuthering Heights" with other Gothic novels.
  • Modify assignments to cater to different learning styles (e.g., kinesthetic learners can act out a scene focusing on the characters' emotions)

Assessment:

  • Participation in class discussions and group activities
  • Quality of notes, presentations, and creative responses (if applicable)
  • Completion of family tree/timeline chart (if applicable)
  • Essay writing (if applicable)

Extension Activities:

  • Students can research the concept of Romanticism and its influence on Gothic literature.