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CHAPTER I ( text and explanation)
‘’1801. - I have just returned from a visit to my landlord - the solitary neighbour that I shall be
troubled with. This is certainly a beautiful country! In all England, I do not believe that I could
have fixed on a situation so completely removed from the stir of society. A perfect
misanthropist's heaven: and Mr. Heathcliff and I are such a suitable pair to divide the desolation
between us. A capital fellow! He little imagined how my heart warmed towards him when I
beheld his black eyes withdraw so suspiciously under their brows, as I rode up, and when his
fingers sheltered themselves, with a jealous resolution, still further in his waistcoat, as I
announced my name.
'Mr. Heathcliff?' I said. A nod was the answer.
'Mr. Lockwood, your new tenant, sir. I do myself the honour of calling as soon as possible after
my arrival, to express the hope that I have not inconvenienced you by my perseverance in
soliciting the occupation of Thrushcross Grange: I heard yesterday you had had some thoughts –
' 'Thrushcross Grange is my own, sir,' he interrupted, wincing. 'I should not allow any one to
inconvenience me, if I could hinder it - walk in!'
The 'walk in' was uttered with closed teeth, and expressed the sentiment, 'Go to the Deuce:'
even the gate over which he leant manifested no sympathising movement to the words; and I
think that circumstance determined me to accept the invitation: I felt interested in a man who
seemed more exaggeratedly reserved than myself.
When he saw my horse's breast fairly pushing the barrier, he did put out his hand to unchain it,
and then sullenly preceded me up the causeway, calling, as we entered the court, - 'Joseph, take
Mr. Lockwood's horse; and bring up some wine.’’'
This is the very first paragraph of the novel, and it’s dripping with irony. Lockwood, the
narrator, is trying to sound sophisticated and "cool," but he is completely misreading the
situation.
Lockwood has moved to the Yorkshire moors to get away from people. He calls the area a
"misanthropist's heaven" (a perfect place for someone who hates humanity). He is delighted
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that the area is "completely removed from the stir of society," meaning there are no annoying
neighbors, no parties, and no city noise.
Lockwood thinks he has found a kindred spirit in Heathcliff.
"A capital fellow!": He calls Heathcliff a great guy, which is hilarious because Heathcliff is
actually being incredibly rude.
"A suitable pair": Lockwood imagines that he and Heathcliff are two of a kind—both dark,
moody, and solitary. In reality, Lockwood is just a lonely city guy playing at being a "loner,"
while Heathcliff is the real deal.
Misinterpreting Hostility as Shyness
Lockwood describes Heathcliff’s body language, but he doesn't realize it’s a warning:
The "Black Eyes": When Heathcliff glares at him suspiciously, Lockwood thinks it’s just
"reserve" or shyness.
The Waistcoat: Heathcliff refuses to shake Lockwood’s hand, instead burying his fingers
deeper into his vest ("jealous resolution"). Lockwood interprets this as a quirky, manly habit
rather than what it actually is: pure contempt.
Summary
Lockwood is the definition of an unreliable narrator here. He thinks he’s entering a peaceful,
quiet retreat with a cool, moody neighbor. He describes the setting as "beautiful," but the
words he uses—"desolation" and "suspiciously"—tell the reader that this place is actually
dangerous and unwelcoming. He thinks he’s found a friend; the reader knows he’s walked
into a lion's den.
We learn that Heathcliff is the owner of Thrushcross Grange. He strikes ... He expresses a
'peevish displeasure' and shows a 'sour' expression on his ;
The “walk in” was uttered with closed teeth and expressed the sentiment, “Go to the Deuce!”
Even the gate over which he leant manifested no sympathizing ...
He abruptly interrupts the visiting gentleman, saying, ''I should not allow any one to
inconvenience me, if I could hinder it - walk in!'' Here, Heathcliff ...
CHAPTER I ( text and explanation)
‘’1801. - I have just returned from a visit to my landlord - the solitary neighbour that I shall be
troubled with. This is certainly a beautiful country! In all England, I do not believe that I could
have fixed on a situation so completely removed from the stir of society. A perfect
misanthropist's heaven: and Mr. Heathcliff and I are such a suitable pair to divide the desolation
between us. A capital fellow! He little imagined how my heart warmed towards him when I
beheld his black eyes withdraw so suspiciously under their brows, as I rode up, and when his
fingers sheltered themselves, with a jealous resolution, still further in his waistcoat, as I
announced my name.
'Mr. Heathcliff?' I said. A nod was the answer.
'Mr. Lockwood, your new tenant, sir. I do myself the honour of calling as soon as possible after
my arrival, to express the hope that I have not inconvenienced you by my perseverance in
soliciting the occupation of Thrushcross Grange: I heard yesterday you had had some thoughts –
' 'Thrushcross Grange is my own, sir,' he interrupted, wincing. 'I should not allow any one to
inconvenience me, if I could hinder it - walk in!'
The 'walk in' was uttered with closed teeth, and expressed the sentiment, 'Go to the Deuce:'
even the gate over which he leant manifested no sympathising movement to the words; and I
think that circumstance determined me to accept the invitation: I felt interested in a man who
seemed more exaggeratedly reserved than myself.
When he saw my horse's breast fairly pushing the barrier, he did put out his hand to unchain it,
and then sullenly preceded me up the causeway, calling, as we entered the court, - 'Joseph, take
Mr. Lockwood's horse; and bring up some wine.’’'
This is the very first paragraph of the novel, and it’s dripping with irony. Lockwood, the
narrator, is trying to sound sophisticated and "cool," but he is completely misreading the
situation.
Lockwood has moved to the Yorkshire moors to get away from people. He calls the area a
"misanthropist's heaven" (a perfect place for someone who hates humanity). He is delighted
, 2
that the area is "completely removed from the stir of society," meaning there are no annoying
neighbors, no parties, and no city noise.
Lockwood thinks he has found a kindred spirit in Heathcliff.
"A capital fellow!": He calls Heathcliff a great guy, which is hilarious because Heathcliff is
actually being incredibly rude.
"A suitable pair": Lockwood imagines that he and Heathcliff are two of a kind—both dark,
moody, and solitary. In reality, Lockwood is just a lonely city guy playing at being a "loner,"
while Heathcliff is the real deal.
Misinterpreting Hostility as Shyness
Lockwood describes Heathcliff’s body language, but he doesn't realize it’s a warning:
The "Black Eyes": When Heathcliff glares at him suspiciously, Lockwood thinks it’s just
"reserve" or shyness.
The Waistcoat: Heathcliff refuses to shake Lockwood’s hand, instead burying his fingers
deeper into his vest ("jealous resolution"). Lockwood interprets this as a quirky, manly habit
rather than what it actually is: pure contempt.
Summary
Lockwood is the definition of an unreliable narrator here. He thinks he’s entering a peaceful,
quiet retreat with a cool, moody neighbor. He describes the setting as "beautiful," but the
words he uses—"desolation" and "suspiciously"—tell the reader that this place is actually
dangerous and unwelcoming. He thinks he’s found a friend; the reader knows he’s walked
into a lion's den.
We learn that Heathcliff is the owner of Thrushcross Grange. He strikes ... He expresses a
'peevish displeasure' and shows a 'sour' expression on his ;
The “walk in” was uttered with closed teeth and expressed the sentiment, “Go to the Deuce!”
Even the gate over which he leant manifested no sympathizing ...
He abruptly interrupts the visiting gentleman, saying, ''I should not allow any one to
inconvenience me, if I could hinder it - walk in!'' Here, Heathcliff ...
