Analysis Pages

Diction in Wuthering Heights

Diction Examples in Wuthering Heights:

Chapter II

🔒 4

"Aw wonder how yah can faishion to stand thear i' idleness un war, when all on 'ems goan out! Bud yah're a nowt, and it's no use talking—yah'll niver mend o'yer ill ways, but goa raight to t' divil, like yer mother afore ye..."   (Chapter II)

Loosely translated: "I wonder how you can stand there idle when everyone else has gone out [to work], but you are a nothing, and there's no use [trying to correct] because you are going to Hell just like your mother before you."

This, of course, is a startling comment to Heathcliff's daughter-in-law but is consistent with her treatment from others.

 

Subscribe to unlock »

"“Nor-ne me! I'll hae no hend wi't,”..."   (Chapter II)

That is, "Not me.  I won't have anything to do with it."

 

Subscribe to unlock »

"“There's nobbut t' missis; and shoo'll not oppen't an ye mak' yer flaysome dins till neeght.”..."   (Chapter II)

That is, "No one is home but the mistress [Heathcliff's wife, Cathy], and she won't open the door [even if] you make those terrible noises until nightfall."

 

Subscribe to unlock »

"“What are ye for?” he shouted. “T' maister's down i' t' fowld. Go round by th' end o' t' laith, if ye went to spake to him.”..."   (Chapter II)

Bronte accurately reflects Yorkshire dialect so skillfully that modern readers have a difficult time understanding it.  Loosely translated, Joseph says: "What do you want?  The master is down by the sheep pen.  Go around the corner of the barn if you want to speak with him."

 

Subscribe to unlock »

Analysis Pages