When we hear the term “narrator,” we often think of an all-knowing, reliable source of information. But in Emily Bronte’s classic novel “Wuthering Heights,” there’s one particular character who proves to be anything but trustworthy. That’s right – Nelly Dean, the seemingly innocent servant, is not the reliable narrator we’ve been led to believe. In fact, there are several reasons why we should take what she says with a grain of salt.
Firstly, Nelly is not an impartial observer. She is heavily involved in the story and has her biases, which she makes clear throughout the narrative. Her relationship with the primary characters, Heathcliff and Catherine, makes it difficult for her to give an objective account of their actions and motivations. Furthermore, Nelly often leaves out or twists key pieces of information to suit her own purpose. It’s not that Nelly is necessarily lying, it’s just that she has her own agenda – one that doesn’t always align with what’s best for the reader.
Secondly, Nelly is not a professional storyteller. She’s a servant, and though she’s clever and insightful at times, she’s not trained to give an accurate, complete account of the events that take place at Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange. Her memory is often faulty, and she occasionally gets her facts mixed up – which, of course, makes it even harder to trust her version of events. All in all, Nelly’s reliability as a narrator is highly suspect, and we should be wary of taking everything she says at face value.
Literary devices used in narrative voice
One of the main reasons Nelly is not a reliable narrator is due to the various literary devices used in her narrative voice. These devices can create bias, cloud judgment, and influence the reader’s perception of events.
- Metaphors and similes: Nelly often uses metaphors and similes to describe characters and their actions, which can influence the reader’s perception of their intentions and personalities. For example, when Nelly describes Heathcliff’s love for Catherine as “a wild, wicked slip,” she is shaping the reader’s understanding of his character and motives.
- Irony: Nelly’s use of irony can also be misleading, as it portrays events and characters in a way that is opposite to their true nature. For instance, when she praises Edgar Linton for his kind-heartedness and generosity, while condemning Heathcliff as a monster, the reader is led to believe in a false dichotomy that misrepresents the complex relationships between the characters.
- Unreliable narration: Nelly’s retrospective account of the events in Wuthering Heights is colored by her own biases and prejudices, as well as the limitations of her perspective. As a servant who is often excluded from the inner workings of the estate, she can only report on what she sees and hears, which is not always the whole truth. This unreliability further undermines her credibility as a narrator and makes it difficult for the reader to trust her account.
In short, the use of literary devices in Nelly’s narrative voice contributes to the ambiguity, complexity, and unreliability of the story, which makes it a challenging and fascinating read for literary scholars and enthusiasts.
Characteristics of an unreliable narrator
As readers, we rely on the narrator to give us truthful and accurate information about the story being told. However, not all narrators are reliable. In fact, some narrators intentionally or unintentionally provide misleading or inaccurate information, making them unreliable. Here are some common characteristics of an unreliable narrator:
- Memory distortion: Unreliable narrators often have faulty memories, either due to a mental illness or because they are purposely lying. They may remember events incorrectly or selectively to support their narrative.
- Subjectivity: Unreliable narrators often have a subjective perspective, seeing events through their own biases and prejudices. They may interpret events in a way that is favorable to them or their point of view, distorting the truth in the process.
- Lies and deceit: Some unreliable narrators lie or deceit to intentionally mislead the reader. They may hide important information or present false information to further their own agenda and keep the reader from discovering the truth.
Nelly as an unreliable narrator
In Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights, Nelly Dean is the primary narrator of the story. However, as a servant and a close companion to the characters, Nelly has her own perspectives and biases that make her an unreliable narrator. Her memory is often faulty, and she frequently interprets events in a way that supports her own opinions.
For example, in her narration of Catherine’s illness, Nelly only tells the parts of the story that support her belief that Catherine is acting foolishly. She leaves out important details about Heathcliff’s role in the situation, giving readers an incomplete picture of the events. Additionally, Nelly frequently takes on the role of judge and jury, condemning characters for their actions without providing a complete understanding of their motivations or intentions.
| Unreliable Narrator | Example |
|---|---|
| Memory Distortion | Nelly’s faulty memory |
| Subjectivity | Nelly’s biased perspective |
| Lies and Deceit | Nelly’s withheld information |
Overall, Nelly’s characteristics as a narrator make her unreliable, showing readers the importance of questioning the perspective of the narrator in a story.
Nelly’s biased perspective on the characters and events
As the narrator of Emily Bronte’s “Wuthering Heights,” Nelly often presents a one-sided and biased perspective on the characters and events in the novel. While her narration allows readers to gain insight into the characters and their motivations, her prejudice clouds her interpretation of events and influences the readers’ understanding of the story.
- Nelly’s favoritism towards the Earnshaw family is evident throughout the novel. She often portrays the family members in a positive light, while demonizing the Linton family who she deems as inferior. Nelly’s narration suggests a class bias, which in turn influences the readers’ perception of the characters.
- Nelly’s subjective interpretation of events is another example of her unreliability. Her narration is not always a true depiction of what actually happens, but rather her perception of the events. For instance, when Heathcliff returns to Wuthering Heights as a wealthy man, Nelly is repulsed by him, and her interpretation of his actions is often negative.
- Nelly’s tendency to gossip and spread rumors taints her reliability further. Her narration is often based on what she has heard rather than what she has witnessed herself, and she is not beyond adding her own interpretations to the rumors. Her tendency to embellish the facts contributes to readers’ distrust in her version of events.
Overall, Nelly’s biased perspective on the characters and events in “Wuthering Heights” makes her an unreliable narrator. Her favoritism towards the Earnshaws, subjective interpretation of events, and tendency to gossip and spread rumors cast doubt on her credibility as a narrator and challenge readers to question her account of events.
Role of Foreshadowing in Creating an Unreliable Narrator
One of the key literary devices that authors use to create unreliable narrators is foreshadowing. This involves dropping subtle hints throughout the text that suggest the narrator’s version of events may not be entirely accurate. In the case of Nelly in Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights, foreshadowing plays a crucial role in undermining her reliability as a narrator.
- Early on in the novel, Nelly reveals her disdain for Heathcliff and her preference for Edgar Linton. This bias suggests that her account of events may be skewed in favor of Edgar and against Heathcliff.
- Nelly also has a habit of interpreting events in a way that supports her own version of events. For example, when Catherine expresses her love for Heathcliff, Nelly interprets this as a symptom of Catherine’s illness, rather than a genuine expression of feeling.
- As the novel progresses, Nelly becomes increasingly involved in the events she is narrating. This blurs the line between objective observer and active participant, making it difficult to separate fact from fiction.
However, it is through foreshadowing that Bronte truly cements Nelly’s unreliability as a narrator. One of the most significant instances of this is when Nelly overhears Catherine and Heathcliff’s conversation through the window. Initially, Nelly only hears Catherine’s half of the conversation, and assumes that she is talking to herself. However, she later discovers the truth and realizes that Heathcliff was actually present. By withholding this information from the reader initially, Bronte casts doubt on Nelly’s reliability and creates a sense of uncertainty around her account of events.
| Examples of Foreshadowing in Wuthering Heights |
|---|
| “She was much too fond of Heathcliff.” – Nelly’s early warning about Catherine’s attachment to Heathcliff foreshadows the tumultuous relationship that will develop between them. |
| “I divined, from this account, that utter lack of sympathy the master had never experienced.” – Nelly’s interpretation of Edgar’s reaction to Catherine’s illness foreshadows the conflict that will arise between Edgar and Heathcliff. |
| “I heard distinctly the gusty wind and the driving of the snow.” – Nelly’s description of the weather when Catherine becomes ill foreshadows the bleak and stormy events that will follow. |
In conclusion, foreshadowing is a powerful tool for creating unreliable narrators like Nelly in Wuthering Heights. By dropping subtle hints and withholding information, authors can cast doubt on the accuracy of their narrators’ accounts, leaving readers to question the true nature of events.
Nelly’s Personal Stakes in the Story
Nelly, the narrator in Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights, is not a reliable narrator due to her personal stakes in the story. As a character in the novel, Nelly is directly involved in the events that occur and has a deep emotional investment in the outcome of the story. This emotional involvement often affects her perception of events and her ability to tell the story objectively.
- Nelly is deeply loyal to the Earnshaw family, particularly Catherine, which causes her to skew the story in their favor.
- She is also loyal to Heathcliff, but her loyalty to him is often in conflict with her loyalty to the Earnshaws, which further complicates her ability to tell an unbiased story.
- Additionally, Nelly is a servant in the story, which means her position in society is dependent on the actions of her masters. This dependence on the Earnshaws and Heathcliff makes it difficult for her to tell the whole truth, especially when their actions may be seen as negative or harmful.
Overall, Nelly’s personal investment in the story and the characters involved makes her an unreliable narrator. Her loyalty to certain characters and her dependence on them for her livelihood prevent her from telling the whole truth and nothing but the truth. As readers, it is important to keep this in mind when interpreting the events of the novel.
The impact of multiple narrators in Wuthering Heights
Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights is a complex novel and is often noted for its intricate narrative structure. The novel is narrated by multiple characters, each of whose perspectives is valuable, but also inherently biased. The differences in these perspectives often create ambiguity and uncertainty in the storyline. Nelly Dean, one of the narrators, is a prime example of an unreliable narrator.
Why is Nelly Dean not a reliable narrator?
- Nelly’s perspective is influenced by her own biases and personal opinions, which may overshadow or distort the facts of the story. For instance, her loyalty towards the Earnshaw family makes her dislike Heathcliff from the very beginning, and this dislike is evident in her narration.
- Nelly often presents vague information or omits crucial details, which may affect the reader’s understanding of certain events. For example, she does not explicitly reveal how Catherine’s window is left open, leading readers to draw their conclusions.
- Nelly is prone to exaggeration and melodrama, which may result in the reader questioning the authenticity of her account. Her penchant for drama is evident when she narrates Catherine’s ghostly visit to Lockwood.
These factors make Nelly Dean an unreliable narrator, weakening the credibility of the events she describes and affecting the reader’s perception of the characters.
The role of multiple narrators in the novel
The use of multiple narrators in Wuthering Heights offers a unique perspective on the story, complicating the idea of a reliable truth. The different narrators provide various viewpoints, each with their version of the truth. This creates a sense of ambiguity and uncertainty that keeps the reader constantly questioning and analyzing the story.
Moreover, the use of multiple narrators allows Emily Bronte to portray the different perspectives of the characters. The novel explores themes such as love, revenge, jealousy, and societal class through a range of characters, each with their motivations and personal biases. The use of multiple narrators allows the reader to access these different perspectives, creating a richer narrative experience.
The importance of critical reading
Wuthering Heights is known for its intricate narrative structure, and the use of multiple narrators is a fundamental aspect of this structure. However, the novel is also known for its ambiguity and uncertainty, which may be influenced by the bias and unreliability of the narrators. Therefore, it is essential to read the novel with a critical eye, taking into account the different perspectives and biases presented in the novel to create a more complete understanding of the story.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The use of multiple narrators allows for a diverse range of perspectives. | The ambiguity created by unreliable narrators may lead to confusion. |
| Provides a richer narrative experience by exploring themes from multiple angles. | May lead to a lack of trust in the narrative and the characters. |
| Allows Emily Bronte to portray the different perspectives of the characters effectively. | The different narrators may slow down the pacing of the story. |
In conclusion, Wuthering Heights is a novel that challenges traditional notions of the reliable narrator. The use of multiple narrators creates ambiguity and uncertainty, which adds to the complexity of the story. Nelly Dean’s personal biases and opinions make her an unreliable narrator, but the use of multiple narrators as a whole is a deliberate narrative strategy that allows for the exploration of different perspectives and themes, creating a richer narrative experience.
Comparing Nelly’s narrative to other unreliable narrators in literature
Unreliable narrators are a common theme in literature, and Nelly Dean from Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights is often cited as one such example. However, how does Nelly’s narrative compare to other unreliable narrators in literature? Let’s explore this topic further:
- Huck Finn from The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn: Like Nelly, Huck is a character who is not entirely reliable as a narrator. He often lies and exaggerates to protect himself and others. However, unlike Nelly, Huck is aware of his own dishonesty and acknowledges it to the reader.
- Holden Caulfield from The Catcher in the Rye: Holden is another example of an unreliable narrator who is aware of his own unreliability. He often contradicts himself and lies to others, but he is also honest about his own mental instability and emotional problems.
- Edgar Allan Poe’s narrators: Poe’s narrators are notoriously unreliable, often due to their mental or emotional instability. They may see things that aren’t there, or experience delusions that blur the line between reality and fiction. Nelly, in comparison, is a more grounded character.
So, where does Nelly fit into this spectrum of unreliable narrators? While she may not be as extreme as some of the other examples mentioned, she still exhibits some troubling traits. For example, she often alters the story to fit her own biases and prejudices, such as when she portrays Heathcliff in a negative light due to her own jealousy. Additionally, she frequently fails to understand the motives and actions of other characters, leading to a distorted and incomplete narrative.
Overall, while Nelly may not be the most unreliable narrator in literature, she is still far from a completely trustworthy one. Her biases and limited perspective make her narrative a complex and challenging one to interpret.
7 FAQs: Why is Nelly not a reliable narrator?
1. What is unreliable narration?
Unreliable narration is when the narrator is not reliable, meaning that their story may contain falsehoods, biased perspectives, omissions, or even hallucinations.
2. Why is Nelly an unreliable narrator?
Nelly, the narrator in Emily Bronte’s “Wuthering Heights,” is unreliable because she is emotionally involved in the story and has her own biases and opinions that influence her storytelling.
3. How does Nelly’s emotional involvement affect her storytelling?
Nelly is emotionally invested in the story, which makes her susceptible to having a biased perspective and omitting key details that contradict her views.
4. Does Nelly manipulate the story to her advantage?
Yes, Nelly manipulates the story to her advantage by omitting certain events or twisting the truth to align with her own beliefs and dislikes.
5. Can readers trust Nelly’s retelling of events?
Readers cannot fully trust Nelly’s retelling of events. They need to view the story from different perspectives to get a clear understanding of the events.
6. What are some examples of Nelly’s unreliable narration?
One example of Nelly’s unreliable narration is how she portrays Heathcliff as being an evil character when, in reality, he is a victim of society’s prejudice and cruelty.
7. How does Nelly’s unreliable narration affect the overall story?
Nelly’s unreliable narration affects the overall story by distorting the reader’s perception of the characters and their motivations. It makes it harder for the reader to perceive the story objectively and empathize with the characters.
Closing Thoughts
In conclusion, Nelly is an unreliable narrator due to her emotional involvement in the story and her tendency to manipulate the story for her own benefit. Her biased perspective distorts the reader’s perception of the characters and affects their understanding of the story. So, while Nelly’s narration is an essential part of “Wuthering Heights,” readers should view the story from different perspectives and keep in mind that her retelling may be unreliable. Thank you for reading, and we hope to see you again soon.