Emily Brontë’s novel Wuthering Heights is one of the “greatest works of art” (Kettle 1974, 130) and also “one of the 19 th century’s most evocative novels” (Tibbetts/Welsh 1998, 469).
Emily Brontë is perhaps the greatest writer of the three Brontë sisters. She published only one novel, Wuthering Heights (1847), a story of doomed love and revenge. But that single work has its place among the masterpieces of English literature.
After its release, a lot of reviewers were shocked, mystified and puzzled, though some also expressed admiration for the strange power of the novel. Wilson, Schlueter and Schlueter (1997, 63) point out that “even modern critics have difficulty dealing with the novel, tending either toward a stress on its eccentricity or concentration on very small sections.”
A lot of books and articles have been written about Emily Brontë’s only novel - and there are also a couple of films dealing with the story or with parts of the story.
In my study I will concentrate on the question if there are differences between Emily Bront ë’s novel and the film adaptation by William Wyler (published in 1939). Therefore I am going to describe the most important diversities in detail and give possible reasons for the changes.
But before starting with this I would first like to introduce Emily Bront ë’s biography and a summary of her famous novel Wuthering Heights.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Biography of Emily Brontë
- Summary of Wuthering Heights
- Wyler's Film (1939) in Comparison with the Book
- Background Information on the Film
- Differences Between the Novel and the Film
- Changes of the characters
- Heathcliff
- Catherine
- Isabella
- Changes in the course story
- Deletion of the second part of the story
- Death scenes
- Penistone Crag as a symbol
- Time
- Narration
- Dialect
- Topic
- Changes of the characters
- Reasons for the Changes
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This study aims to compare Emily Brontë's novel Wuthering Heights with William Wyler's 1939 film adaptation, identifying and analyzing significant differences between the two versions. The analysis will detail these divergences and explore potential reasons for the changes made in the film adaptation.
- The impact of adaptation choices on character portrayal.
- The alteration of narrative structure and plot points in the film.
- The significance of symbolic elements and their treatment in both versions.
- The influence of time and narration on the overall experience.
- The reasons behind the discrepancies between the novel and its film adaptation.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Introduction: This chapter introduces Wuthering Heights as a significant work of 19th-century literature, noting its enduring power and critical reception, both past and present. It highlights the existing scholarly debate surrounding the novel and its complexities, while establishing the study's focus on comparing the novel to Wyler's 1939 film adaptation. The introduction lays the groundwork for the subsequent analysis by establishing the novel's status and the study's objective.
Biography of Emily Brontë: This chapter provides biographical context for understanding Emily Brontë's life and its potential influence on her writing. It details her family life, her upbringing in the Yorkshire moors, her education, and her close relationships with her siblings, emphasizing the impact of loss and hardship on her development as a writer. The chapter highlights the importance of her personal experiences in shaping her unique literary voice and the themes explored in Wuthering Heights. The narrative touches upon the family's collaborative creative endeavors and Emily's ultimate literary success.
Summary of Wuthering Heights: This chapter presents a concise overview of the plot of Emily Brontë's novel Wuthering Heights. It summarizes the key events and relationships, providing a necessary context for understanding the subsequent analysis of the film adaptation. This summary establishes the narrative framework for comparing and contrasting the novel with the cinematic version. The chapter sets the stage for the detailed analysis of the differences in character portrayal, plot points, and themes presented between the book and its adaptation.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Emily Brontë, Wuthering Heights, William Wyler, film adaptation, character analysis, narrative structure, literary adaptation, symbolism, themes of love and revenge, gothic novel.
Wuthering Heights: Film Adaptation vs. Novel - FAQ
What is this document about?
This document provides a comprehensive preview of a comparative analysis between Emily Brontë's novel "Wuthering Heights" and William Wyler's 1939 film adaptation. It includes a table of contents, objectives, key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords.
What are the main objectives of this analysis?
The analysis aims to identify and analyze significant differences between the novel and the film adaptation, focusing on the impact of adaptation choices on character portrayal, narrative structure, symbolic elements, the influence of time and narration, and the reasons behind the discrepancies.
What aspects of the film adaptation are compared to the novel?
The comparison covers various aspects, including changes in character portrayals (Heathcliff, Catherine, Isabella), alterations to the narrative structure and plot points (deletion of parts, death scenes, time, narration, dialect, topic), the treatment of symbolic elements (Penistone Crag), and the overall impact of these changes.
What are the key themes explored in the analysis?
The key themes include the impact of adaptation choices on character portrayal, the alteration of narrative structure and plot points, the significance of symbolic elements and their treatment in both versions, the influence of time and narration on the overall experience, and the reasons behind the discrepancies between the novel and its film adaptation.
What does the document include besides the comparison?
Besides the comparison, the document includes an introduction to "Wuthering Heights," a biography of Emily Brontë, a summary of the novel's plot, and a list of keywords relevant to the analysis.
What is the purpose of the chapter summarizing Emily Brontë's biography?
The biographical chapter provides context for understanding Emily Brontë's life and its potential influence on her writing, emphasizing the impact of her personal experiences on her literary voice and the themes in "Wuthering Heights."
How does the document summarize the novel's plot?
The summary of "Wuthering Heights" provides a concise overview of the key events and relationships, establishing the narrative framework for comparing and contrasting the novel with the film adaptation.
What are some keywords associated with this analysis?
Keywords include Emily Brontë, Wuthering Heights, William Wyler, film adaptation, character analysis, narrative structure, literary adaptation, symbolism, themes of love and revenge, and gothic novel.
What is the overall goal of this document?
The overall goal is to provide a structured and professional analysis of the differences between Emily Brontë's novel and its 1939 film adaptation, examining the choices made in the adaptation process and their impact on the overall work.
- Quote paper
- Jessica Schulze (Author), 2004, Emily Brontë's novel Wuthering Heights in comparison with a film adaption, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/35420
