Literature-In-English Paper 2 WASSCE (SC), 2023

Question 7                  EMILY BRONTE: Wuthering Heights

Consider Heathcliff’s marriage to Isabella.

 

This question demands that the candidates discuss the marriage between Heathcliff and Isabella. The majority dwelt on plot summary.

Candidates were expected to discuss the following:

  • The theme of love and revenge.
  • The character identification of Heathcliff and Isabella.
  • The marriage: Isabella becomes infatuated with Heathcliff. She defies the warning and advice to stay away from Heathcliff given by her brother (Edgar), Catherine and Nelly. She elopes with Heathcliff and they get married. Edgar disowns her.
  • Heathcliff’s mistreatment of Isabella: he instils fear in Isabella by threatening her with physical abuse; verbally abuses her relentlessly and degrades her by eroding her self-esteem.
  • Isabella’s flight to London: she escapes to London after being mistreated by Heathcliff. She dies in misery in London. Heathcliff never bothers to look for her. Her flight to London gives Heathcliff the opportunity to claim Linton Junior as his legitimate son. Her flight to London concludes Heathcliff’s revenge.

Candidates’ performance was fair.