Nelly Dean, the Narrator of Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights

940 Words2 Pages

Wuthering Heights: Nelly the Narrator

Emily Bronte wrote the book Wuthering Heights from the narrative point of view of Nelly, a servant who lived most of her life with Catherine. Many have questioned why Bronte would do so. Why did she not choose someone with more knowledge? Why did she not choose a major character like Heathcliff or Catherine? The choice to make Nelly the narrator is what makes the book so great. She is one who qualifies most to be the narrator.

This book is very much about love and hate, and Nelly is the one who is totally un-opinionated about the characters. She was like a mother figure, always there for everybody, and listened to them. That is what made her a good narrator because she always knew how everyone felt. She lived At Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange all her life, and experienced the first and second generation, therefore she knew exactly what went on. If Heathcliff was the narrator, you would not know how Isabella or Edgar felt due to their lack of communication or friendship. Although Heathcliff's opinion’s are valuable, Nelly's knowledge is more valuable because she got along with and talked to everybody.

Nelly never really had a life of her own because she lived at Wuthering Heights all her life. Therefore, Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange were her life. Nelly was more than a servant, and had a personal relationship with most of the characters. This is why her story is so efficient, and her lack of knowledge not as important. S...

... middle of paper ...

...rst generation were left Thrushcross Grange.

In the end, we realize that Nelly was more than a servant. She was a part of their lives, and considerably a major character. Without the presence of Nelly, the book would not be the same. Catherine and Heathcliff would not have anyone to consult or look after them. There really was not a mother in the story, but Nelly is practically everyone's mother. It is very questionable, but Nelly could be more important than Heathcliff (who is

more likely favored to being the most important.)

NOTES

***SEVERAL TIMES SEMICOLONS WERE USED AFTER AN INTRODUCTORY CLAUSE WHEN COMMAS SHOULD HAVE BEEN USED***

***WATCH VERB TENSE! MAKE SURE IT STAYS CONSISTENT WHEN YOU ARE RECALLING THE EVENTS OF THE STORY!***

Open Document