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O-LevelLiterature in EnglishProse2010/12 · Oct/Nov 2011 · Q2225 Marks

SECTION C: PROSE EMILY BRONTË: Wuthering Heights Read this extract, and then answer the question that follows it: 'Ah! you are come, are you, Edgar Linton?' she said with angry animation... 'You are one of those things that are ever found when least wanted, and when you are wanted, never! I suppose we shall have plenty of lamentations, now I see we shall but they can't keep me from my narrow home out yonder – My resting place where I'm bound before Spring is over! There it is, not among the Lintons, mind, under the chapel-roof; but in the open air with a head-stone, and you may please yourself, whether you go to them, or come to me!' 'Catherine, what have you done?' commenced the master. ‘Am I nothing to you, any more? Do you love that wretch, Heath –' 'Hush!' cried Mrs Linton. 'Hush, this moment! You mention that name and I end the matter, instantly, by a spring from the window! What you touch at present, you may have; but my soul will be on that hill-top before you lay hands on me again. I don't want you, Edgar; I'm past wanting you Return to your books I'm glad you possess a consolation, for all you had in me is gone.' 'Her mind wanders, sir,' I interposed. ‘She has been talking nonsense the whole evening; but, let her have quiet and proper attendance, and she'll rally ... Hereafter, we must be cautious how we vex her.’ 'I desire no further advice from you, answered Mr Linton. 'You knew your mistress's nature, and you encouraged me to harass her. And not to give me one hint of how she has been these three days! It was heartless! months of sickness could not cause such a change!' I began to defend myself, thinking it too bad to be blamed for another's wicked waywardness! 'I knew Mrs Linton's nature to be headstrong and domineering, cried I; 'but I didn't know that you wished to foster her fierce temper! I didn't know that, to humour her, I should wink at Mr Heathcliff. I performed the duty of a faithful servant in telling you, and I have got a faithful servant's wages! Well, it will teach me to be careful next time. Next time you may gather intelligence for yourself!' 'The next time you bring a tale to me, you shall quit my service, Ellen Dean,' he replied. 'You'd rather hear nothing about it, I suppose, then, Mr Linton?' said I. 'Heathcliff has your permission to come a courting to Miss and to drop in at every opportunity your absence offers, on purpose to poison the mistress against you?' Confused as Catherine was, her wits were alert at applying our conversation. 'Ah! Nelly has played traitor,' she exclaimed, passionately. 'Nelly is my hidden enemy – you witch! So you do seek elf-bolts to hurt us! Let me go, and I'll make her rue! I'll make her howl a recantation!' A maniac's fury kindled under her brows; she struggled desperately to disengage herself from Linton's arms. I felt no inclination to tarry the event; and resolving to seek medical aid on my own responsibility, I quitted the chamber.

  1. Explore how Brontë makes this such a vivid and revealing moment in the novel.[25]

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Topic
Prose, O-Level Literature in English (syllabus 2010). Structured question, 25 marks.
Source
O-Level Literature in English, Oct/Nov 2011 Paper 1 Variant 2, question 22.

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