This packet is a guide; it does not take the place of a close read of the novels. English III Honors

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1 Page 1 of 9 This packet contains the reading guides for both English III Honors summer reading novels: Silas Marner by George Eliot and Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. Use the questions as you read the novels. You do not have to print, but you may. SM is due the first week of school; WH is due at the end of the second week of school. In order to improve comprehension, students should read a couple of online biographies of the authors before beginning to read the novels. This packet is a guide; it does not take the place of a close read of the novels. Name English III Honors Finish reading the novel before the second day of the school year. On the second day of school, I will provide to each student a copy of the analysis that students must complete for a grade. The test on this novel is likely the first Friday of the school year. Silas Marner Reading Guide CHAPTER I 1. What is Silas Marner s vocation? 2. From what physical handicap does Silas Marner suffer? 3. How is Silas regarded by the people of Raveloe? What prompted this reaction? 4. What special talent do people believe Silas has? 5. How would you describe Silas? 6. Contrast Silas s life in Lantern Yard with that in Raveloe. 7. Recount the incident in Lantern Yard that changed Silas s life. 8. Who is William Dane? What kind of person is he? Describe his relationship with Silas. CHAPTER II 1. Why did Silas move to Raveloe? 2. How does Silas spend his time? Why? 3. In what ways do people cope with severe setbacks? 4. What did Silas do for Sally Oates? How do people respond to this act? What is the end result of Silas s helping Sally Oates? 5. Describe Silas s financial situation. 6. What is revealed about Silas s nature by the brown pot incident? 7. Up to this time how long has Silas lived in Raveloe? CHAPTER III 1. Describe the social structure of the community. 2. What means does Eliot employ to inform us about the various characters? 3. Describe each member of the Cass family. In particular, what weakness does Godfrey display? 4. Explain Godfrey s social situation. CHAPTER IV 1. What characteristics of Dunstan are brought out through the incidents in this chapter? 2. How does Dunstan justify stealing Silas s gold to himself? 3. How are the two plots starting to be brought together? CHAPTER V 1. What were Silas s actions and thoughts after finding his gold missing? 2. Compare Silas s actions and thoughts with any you have known when something terrible or dreaded has happened.

2 Page 2 of 9 3. To what does Silas turn for comfort? When had he sought comfort before from this same source? 4. What hope does Silas have? 5. What action does this hope lead him to take? CHAPTER VI 1. What kind of place is the Rainbow Inn? 2. What role does Mr. Snell, the landlord, take in discussions? 3. Identify and describe each person at the Rainbow Inn that evening. 4. What kinds of personalities are evident? 5. How is Raveloe like our neighborhood, community, town? Are there similar people? What place is like the Rainbow Inn? CHAPTER VIII 1. Describe how the story about the peddler grew. 2. What does the growth of this story reveal about the people of Raveloe? 3. Explain Godfrey s thinking as he contemplated telling his father about his situation. 4. To what extent were his thoughts and fears perfectly natural? CHAPTER IX 1. Characterize Squire Cass s relationship with his sons. 2. How different is the Squire from his sons? 3. To what extent might the state of the Cass home have been an influence on Godfrey and Dunstan s lives? In particular, on their current difficulties? 4. What hope does Godfrey have? 5. How has Godfrey s position changed? CHAPTER X 1. How is Dunstan s absence regarded? 2. What two theories about the robbery generally held? 3. Describe the change in the villagers perception of Silas. How might you account for this change? 4. In what ways has Silas changed? 5. How is Christmas spent by the Cass family? By Silas? 6. What event is being anticipate? What are Godfrey s feelings about this event? CHAPTER XI 1. Describe Nancy Lammeter s feelings toward Godfrey. 2. Characterize the thoughts and opinions held by the various ladies about each other. 3. Compare the two Miss Lammeters, both in appearance and in personality. 4. What are the respective roles of the upper and the lower social levels at the party? 5. Describe the talk among the men. 6. During the evening s festivities, how much progress does Godfrey make in winning Nancy s approval? 7. Does he have any right to try and win her approval? CHAPTER XII 1. What is Molly s plan? How does it end? 2. What is Silas s reaction upon finding the child? 3. What is the significance of Silas s mistaking the yellow curls for his gold? 4. What immediate change does the child bring about in Silas? 5. What discovery does Silas make at the end of the chapter? CHAPTER XIII 1. What effect does Silas have on the gathering at the party? On Godfrey? 2. What is Silas s reaction to suggestions that the child should be taken from his care? 3. What justification does Silas offer for wanting to keep the child? 4. What is Godfrey s reaction when he recognizes Molly? 5. With what feelings does Godfrey return to the party? 6. What is your opinion of Godfrey at this time?

3 CHAPTER XIV 1. How does Silas come to learn how to care for the child? 2. What does Silas name the child? How does he arrive at that name? 3. What effect does Eppie have on Silas s life? (Consider how he spent his time and what he valued.) 4. Describe Silas s efforts to discipline Eppie. CHAPTER XV 1. In what ways is Godfrey a changed person? 2. What are Godfrey s main interests now? What are his hopes? 3. What had been decided about Dunstan? CHAPTER XVI 1. Describe Eppie and the other major characters now that sixteen years have passed. 2. What changes are there in Silas s home? 3. What kind of person has Eppie grown to be? Cite evidence from the novel. 4. What are Eppie s plans for the future? CHAPTER XVII 1. Describe the changes that have taken place in the Red House. 2. What is Godfrey s great unfulfilled desire? 3. To what does he attribute this condition? 4. What is Nancy s reason for not agreeing to adopt a child? 5. Describe Nancy s personality and approach to life. 6. Overall, how successful do you believe Nancy and Godfrey s marriage has been? CHAPTER XVIII 1. What discovery is made? 2. Why does Godfrey now confess all to Nancy? 3. How does Nancy handle Godfrey s news? What does this reveal about her character? 4. How might such a confession be accepted today? 5. With what certainty can a reaction to such a confession be foretold? 6. What do Godfrey and Nancy decide to do? CHAPTER XIX 1. What are Godfrey s arguments for adopting Eppie? 2. Compare these arguments with those of Silas and Eppie. 3. What is it that Godfrey cannot understand? 4. Explain the mixture of feelings that Silas must have experienced. 5. How fully does Eppie comprehend the significance of her decision? 6. To what extent is Eppie s decision influenced by the social structure of Raveloe? CHAPTER XX 1. What decisions are made by Godfrey? 2. What reasons might he have for these decisions? 3. Describe the state of Nancy and Godfrey s relationship. 4. To what extent has Eppie s stand affected their relationship? 5. What changes are evident in Godfrey s character? What has he learned? CHAPTER XXI 1. What do Silas and Eppie find when they return to Lantern Yard? 2. What significance does this chapter have to the novel as a whole? 3. What statement does Silas make that clearly shows the change he has undergone? CONCLUSION 1. What contributions do Godfrey and Nancy make to Eppie s wedding? 2. Why do they not attend the festivities? 3. What sort of day do you suppose Eppie s wedding day is for Godfrey? Page 3 of 9

4 Page 4 of 9 Name English III Honors Wuthering Heights Reading Guide Wuthering Heights: Mr. and Mrs. Earnshaw, Hindley, Catherine, Heathcliff (adopted) Thrushcross Grange: Mr. and Mrs. Linton, Edgar, Isabella Third generation: Cathy, Hareton, Linton Other Characters: Mr. Lockwood, Nelly Dean (Ellen), Joseph, Zillah, Frances Chapter 1 1. Who is Lockwood? 2. Describe the atmosphere at Wuthering Heights. 3. Describe Heathcliff. Chapter 2 1. Whom does Lockwood go to visit in Chapter 2? What people does he meet on this visit? 2. What does Heathcliff reply when Lockwood asks if the sullen woman is his wife? 3. What happens as Lockwood attempts to leave the Heights? Chapter 3 1. To which room does Zillah take Lockwood in Chapter 3? 2. What names are carved into the window ledge? 3. What things are written in the book margins? By whom? 4. Describe Lockwood's first dream. 5. Describe his second dream. 6. When Heathcliff hears Lockwood's scream and comes to the room, what is his reaction to Lockwood's description of the second dream? 7. What does he do at the open window? 8. What does Lockwood think of Heathcliff's behavior? Chapter 4 1. Who is now the narrator of the main story? 2. How has Heathcliff treated Hareton? Why? 3. Summarize how Heathcliff got to Wuthering Heights in the first place and what others thought of this. 4. Which person continued to hate Heathcliff? Why? Did Heathcliff deserve this, do you think? 5. How does Heathcliff keep Hindley from triumphing completely before Mr. Earnshaw died? 6. Why do people begin to pamper Heathcliff? 7. Where is Hindley eventually sent? 8. Describe the character of Catherine Earnshaw. Chapter 5 1. What is "the worst punishment" anyone could inflict upon Catherine? 2. Describe the relationship of Catherine and Heathcliff as it is portrayed in Chapter 5. Chapter 6 1. Whom does Hindley bring home with him in Chapter 6? 2. Is Nelly Dean a reliable narrator? Should the reader take what she says at face value? Explain.

5 Page 5 of 9 3. What is Heathcliff's place in the household after Hindley's return? Why? 4. How does Catherine happen to come in contact with Thrushcross Grange? 5. What is the difference between the Lintons and the Earnshaws? 6. Why doesn t Heathcliff stay with Catherine at the Grange? 7. What is Heathcliff now forbidden to do? Chapter 7 1. How has Catherine changed during her stay with the Lintons? 2. How has Heathcliff changed since Catherine went away? Why has this happened? 3. Under what condition do the Lintons let their children come to Wuthering Heights? 4. How does Heathcliff react to Catherine s return? Why? 5. What advice does Nelly give Heathcliff? 6. What does Heathcliff vow to do after Hindley banishes him from the dinner? 7. What is Heathcliff's and Catherine s relationship like by the end of Chapter 7? Chapter 8 1. What happens to Frances? 2. In what way is Catherine now leading a "double life" of sorts? 3. How old are Catherine and Heathcliff now? 4. What is Heathcliff like now? 5. Describe what happens the day Hindley goes away for the afternoon. 6. What now is the relationship between Edgar Linton and Catherine Earnshaw? Should the reader view this in a positive or a negative light? Explain. Chapter 9 1. How does Hindley treat his son? 2. What almost happens to Hareton? Who saves him? Why? 3. What does Catherine confide to Nelly? 4. What is your opinion of Catherine at this point? 5. What reason does Catherine give for marrying Edgar Linton when it is obvious even to her that she belongs with Heathcliff? What does Nelly say to all this? 6. What happens to Heathcliff in Chapter 9? 7. What happens to Catherine (where does she go and such)? Why? 8. What is the symbolic significance of the coincidence of Catherine s visit to the Lintons and the deaths of the elder Lintons? 9. Why does Catherine waits three more years before marrying Linton? Chapter What does Heathcliff do and how does he change during these three years? 2. What is Edgar Linton's attitude towards Heathcliff? 3. What had Heathcliff originally planned to do immediately upon his return? Why? Why didn't he do so? 4. Where is Heathcliff staying now? Why? 5. What happens to Isabella in this chapter? 6. What does Catherine tell Isabella about Heathcliff? Does this seem odd coming from Catherine? Explain. 7. What does Heathcliff ask Catherine about Isabella? What is the significance of this question? (What is Heathcliff planning to do?) 8. Explain Nelly's appraisal of the situation at the end of Chapter 10. Chapter What is Heathcliff doing to Hareton?

6 Page 6 of 9 2. About what do Catherine and Heathcliff argue? 3. What happens between Heathcliff and Edgar? 4. What does Catherine threaten to do if she can't see Heathcliff? 5. What choice does Edgar demand Catherine make? What is her reaction? 6. What does Edgar tell Isabella? 7. Cite three misjudgments that Nelly Dean makes in Chapter 11. Chapter What does Nelly think of Catherine s illness? 2. What does Catherine imagine herself saying to Heathcliff? 3. On her way to get the doctor, what does Nelly find? Who probably did this? Why? (What early episode concerned a pet dog?) 4. Where has Isabella gone? What is Edgar's reaction? Chapter What does Edgar do for Catherine in Chapter 13? Why hadn't he done this when she was first ill? 2. What is Catherine s condition now? 3. What do Isabella's letters say? Chapter What reason does Nelly give for Linton's staying with Catherine? What does Heathcliff say to this? 2. What request does Heathcliff make of Nelly? 3. What contrasts does Heathcliff make between his feelings for Catherine and Edgar's feelings for her? 4. What is Nelly's behavior like during this visit? 5. How is Heathcliff treating Isabella? 6. Does Isabella deserve this treatment? Explain. 7. How is Heathcliff keeping Isabella from leaving him? 8. What does Heathcliff tell Nelly will happen if she does not grant his request? 9. What does Nelly agree to? Chapter Describe the visit of Heathcliff to Catherine. How is this behavior both unusual but typical of these characters? 2. How is Nelly behaving? How is this typical of her? Chapters What happens after Catherine gives birth to Cathy? 2. Who will now inherit the estate after Edgar's death? 3. How does Heathcliff react when Nelly comes out to the garden to speak with him? 4. Explain what happens with the locket. 5. Where is Catherine buried? Why is this appropriate? Chapter What does Isabella do in Chapter 17? Why? 2. What did Heathcliff do to Hindley? 3. Describe the scene as Isabella escaped from Wuthering Heights. How do Hareton's actions at the time recall a past incident? Who taught him to do this? 4. Who is Linton Heathcliff? 5. What happens to Edgar? To Hindley? 6. Why doesn't Edgar lay claim to his nephew, Hareton, now?

7 Page 7 of 9 7. What does Heathcliff intend to do with Hareton? Chapter What is young Cathy like? 2. What happens to Isabella? 3. Where does Edgar go for three weeks? 4. While he is gone, what experiences does Cathy have? 5. What does the argument between Cathy and Hareton recall? 6. What information does Cathy give Hareton? Why is this bad? (Why shouldn't people at the Heights know about this?) Chapter Which parent does Linton most take after? Explain. 2. How does Cathy react to Linton? 3. Who demands custody of Linton? 4. What could Edgar demand in return? Why wouldn't that be very practical at this time? Chapter What is Heathcliff's reaction to his son? Do you blame him for feeling this way? 2. What are Heathcliff's plans for Linton? 3. How does Linton like Wuthering Heights? Chapter What news does Nelly get about Linton in Chapter 21? 2. What happens when Cathy turns 16? 3. What are Heathcliff's plans for Cathy and Linton? 4. How does Cathy react to seeing Linton again? 5. How does Linton act? Who finally keeps Cathy company? 6. How does Heathcliff feel about Hareton? 7. What do Linton and Cathy make fun of? 8. Why is Cathy upset when Edgar forbids her to go to Wuthering Heights? 9. What does she continue to do? 10. How does the Linton- Cathy -Hareton situation recall the Edgar-Catherine-Heathcliff triangle? 11. In what ways are the two situations different? Chapter What happens to Edgar? 2. About what is Cathy upset? 3. What happens to Cathy when she tries to get a rose? Chapter What does Heathcliff say about Linton? Does this work? 2. What quality in Cathy is Heathcliff playing on to carry out his design? 3. What is the first the reader hears of Linton when they visit him the next day? 4. What (if anything) does Linton really seem to want with Cathy? 5. What do Linton and Cathy argue about? How does the argument end? 6. What does Cathy do while Nelly is ill? Chapter What did Linton and Cathy argue about one day?

8 Page 8 of 9 2. How does Cathy embarrass Hareton? 3. How does Hareton react? 4. What does Linton do? 5. What happens the next time that Cathy visits Linton? 6. When Linton apologizes, what does he say about the connection between his own behavior and how Heathcliff treats him? 7. Why does Cathy stop going to Wuthering Heights? 8. Does Edgar disapprove of Linton? Explain. Chapter According to Nelly, why aren't Linton's letters to Edgar filled with his usual whining and complaining? Chapter Why does Linton want Cathy to stay another half hour, even though he in clearly not enjoying their visit? 2. What does Nelly think is the cause of Linton's worsened condition? Is she right? Chapter How is Edgar Linton's health? What difference does this make to the plot of the novel (what will or will not happen because of this)? 2. How does Linton act during their meeting in Chapter 27? How does Catherine react to this? 3. What was the purpose of Linton's histrionics? 4. What sort of person does Linton turn out to be? How is this to be expected when we consider his parentage? 5. Why must Heathcliff force Cathy to marry Linton? (Explain how the inheritance works.) 6. How does Cathy react to Heathcliff's beating? How would her mother would have reacted in a similar situation? Chapter What does Edgar try to do before he dies? What prevents him from doing it? Chapter Where will Cathy now be living? Why? 2. How did Heathcliff punish Linton for his part in Cathy s escape? 3. How does Linton feel about Cathy now? Why? 4. What does Heathcliff tell Nelly about Catherine s ghost? 5. What did he do after her funeral (years ago)? 6. What did he do just before Edgar's funeral? How did this change his feelings about the ghost? 7. What does Heathcliff bribe the sexton to do? Chapter Why does Heathcliff not send for a doctor for Linton? 2. What does Heathcliff show Cathy? 3. How does Hareton feel about Cathy? Chapter Who is narrating the novel in Chapter 31? 2. What does Cathy think about Hareton? How does she treat him? 3. What does Heathcliff say about Hareton's face? What change does this mark in Heathcliff? Chapter When does Chapter 32 take place? How much time has passed since the opening of the novel? 2. What changes have taken place at the Heights since Lockwood was there?

9 Page 9 of 9 3. Who narrates Chapter 33? Chapter What is ironic about Heathcliff's threat to Hareton? 2. How does Hareton feel about Heathcliff? Is he foolish? Does Heathcliff deserve any sympathy? Explain. 3. What does Heathcliff tell Nelly? Chapter What mood is Heathcliff in during the days before his death? 2. What significance is there in Heathcliff's refusal to eat? 3. What is the significance to the location of Heathcliff's death and to the open window? 4. What actually caused Heathcliff's death? 5. What is rumored to take place now that Heathcliff is dead? 6. Does the novel have a happy ending or a tragic one? Explain.