Reflecting on the week

March 8, 2013
I'll be the first to admit, this post is not going to be all that exciting and not at all useful, but I'll do the best I can! If you're looking for something interesting, maybe you should try the Bodacious Braidhawk tutorial or the Butterbeer, or one of my favorites: Homemade Nutter Butters. Yummmm...
In an effort of self-betterment, I have included in my weekly plannings time for reading and time for service. The book? Wuthering Heights. The service? Judging Historical Exhibits.
Wuthering Heights is an anomaly. I was talking to Drew about it a couple of nights ago, explaining the characters and their relations with one another, the diabolical schemes of Heathcliff, the selfishness of Catherine, the wisdom and kindness of Nelly, etc. when Drew asked me, "Well, does it end happy?" I've never read the book before so I guess I'm not positive, but from the movies I've seen (the black and white one and the newer version with Tom Hardy), I answered, "No. I don't think there's a happy point in the entire book," to which he replied, "Then why are you reading it?"
I pondered over that question. Why is Wuthering Heights a classic? It is a tragedy of the worst kind. There is no happiness and Heathcliff really is the devil. Here are my conclusions:
I read it for the amazing way it is written. The book begins as a story about Mr. Lockwood, the newest resident of Thrushcross Grange (a nearby home to Wuthering Heights) who meets the residents of the Heights. After being surprised (to say the least) at the inhospitality of its occupants, the author, Emily Bronte, then takes you back to the Grange where you learn the entire history from Nelly, the housemaid. It is a unique perspective that I don't think I've read in any other book. The entire time I'm wondering, "What if this story was told from Heathcliff's point of view, or Catherine's?"
I think another reason this book is so enticing is partly because you want to know how far a man can sink! I'm convinced that there's not a more scheming or heartless man as Heathcliff in all literature. And yet, the moments he speaks of Catherine, its as if you've never heard of a love as deep as his. It drives me crazy because I can't understand why he would be so selfish and horrible to someone he loved so much. I'm trying to decide who is the worst villain. The terribly selfish, Catherine, or the devilish Heathcliff?
I could probably go on for a while longer about the book, but I'll stop right there and tell you, if you haven't read it, or at least given it a try, it would be worth your while.
Now. For the Historical Exhibit Judging. It was a pretty fun experience! I arrived at 8:15 A.M. to learn about what I needed to judge, how to judge, etc. then was released at 9:00 with a list of projects and names I was supposed to judge. I was surprised at the creativity and knowledge of these 5-8 graders. The theme of the year was "Turning Points." The students were supposed to pick an event in history that they believed was a major turning point in our world today. One of my favorites was a pair of boys who chose Atari (and pong) as a major turning point. Classic. I'm not sure who won, but it was a neat experience. It lasted until 12:00 and I was pretty tired by then, but at least we got free lunch! Good thing, too because I needed my strength to then run up four flights of stairs, across a land bridge, down a couple flights of stairs and down the platform to board the train. I'm glad I've been running.
Possibly the best part of this week was on Wednesday night when the family and I went to an elderly woman's home for dinner. She made us a genuine German dinner with Veal, potatoes, peas and corn, and concluded with German Cake. It was possibly the best dessert I have ever tasted, but better still was the talk we had with this wonderfully, kind woman. She told us about her life, how she had struggled in her marriage to her husband, eventually leading to divorce because he shirked his responsibilities (to say the least) as a husband and father, and how she overcame it and provided for herself and her family through various talents that she possesses. At one point, she even made and sold stuffed animals. What an example! Before we left, she even gave Chelsea a stuffed teddy bear that she had been playing with. When I'm an old woman, I want to be as kind and giving as this wonderful woman.
So there ya have it! That's what's been on my mind this week, for the most part. I'm sorry I don't have any good pictures for you today, but to make up for it, I'm working on a project that I think you'll really like! Hopefully I can get it done this weekend and up next week. I've also got a couple of new items from the store that I'd like to share. If I'm able to get pictures tomorrow, I'll post them ASAP! I'll see you next time I see you (if I didn't bore you to death with this novel)!

-Sue

2 comments

  1. I usually only like the happy ending kind of stories. But you have made me so courious I think that I just might have to read Wuthering Heights.

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    1. You really ought to read it! I finished it yesterday and it... Kind of has a happy ending... It's a weird kind of happy ending, but a good one. You do receive closure. Just read it.

      -Sue

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