As I struggled with this challenge, a male POV of 'She Loves Me, She Loves Me Not, She Loves Me,' Heathcliff started snarling into my ear in the sleepless early hours of the morning. Who better to ponder love? Did Cathy love him? Did she not? For those of you familiar with Wuthering Heights
, forgive me for the slight tweaking of plot. To those who haven't read this classic, go find it!
Let's listen to the moody, broody Heathcliff's monologue.
Cathy! How could you do this? You love me, I know you love me! We’ve loved each other since we were children. How could you desert me now? How could you give yourself to another man, if man indeed he is.
I see you now as I watch from my cold glass window. I see you and that loathsome crowd as you leave the house for the chapel. I’ll ignore their simpering ways. I’ll ignore how they press against you, touching your white cape and your beautiful hair. My eyes are for you alone.
My Cathy!
Do you love me?
I remember our days, carefree and wild, running on the moors like lambs in the springtime. How soft the grasses were as we collapsed in a heap of tangled arms and legs. How sweet the flowers were as I crushed you to myself, covering you with my cloak. How tender your body felt, as I caressed you through your soft gown. Oh Cathy! You did love me! Why couldn’t you wait?
I was penniless, a nobody. Well, I’ve made my fortune. I’ve come back for you, but too late! Was that dirty, ragged, black-haired gypsy not enough for you? Did you need the handsome, rich Mr Edgar Linton after all?
Cathy, you never loved me. To you I was just a wild child, someone to tame. After that visit to the Linton’s, you changed. You wanted the refined life, a life of silk frocks and fancy dinners. Not the life you’d have with Heathcliff, your savage!
Don’t think marrying Linton is the end of our story, Cathy.
I’ll be back to claim what is rightfully mine. You’re part of me. We’ll never be parted. Never!
You love me, not Edgar Linton!
I hope you enjoyed my story. 398 words. Please click here or on the Romantic Friday Writers badge on the top right of my sidebar to access more!
BTW, just read a great post on What Publishing will look like in 2021. Go here to read it. Do!
, forgive me for the slight tweaking of plot. To those who haven't read this classic, go find it!Let's listen to the moody, broody Heathcliff's monologue.
Can you hear how the wind blows in from the mountains? Can you see the grey glint of snow in the clouds? Can you feel the dry leaves rustling? No! Your thoughts are elsewhere!
Cathy! How could you do this? You love me, I know you love me! We’ve loved each other since we were children. How could you desert me now? How could you give yourself to another man, if man indeed he is.
I see you now as I watch from my cold glass window. I see you and that loathsome crowd as you leave the house for the chapel. I’ll ignore their simpering ways. I’ll ignore how they press against you, touching your white cape and your beautiful hair. My eyes are for you alone.
My Cathy!
Do you love me?
I remember our days, carefree and wild, running on the moors like lambs in the springtime. How soft the grasses were as we collapsed in a heap of tangled arms and legs. How sweet the flowers were as I crushed you to myself, covering you with my cloak. How tender your body felt, as I caressed you through your soft gown. Oh Cathy! You did love me! Why couldn’t you wait?
I was penniless, a nobody. Well, I’ve made my fortune. I’ve come back for you, but too late! Was that dirty, ragged, black-haired gypsy not enough for you? Did you need the handsome, rich Mr Edgar Linton after all?
Cathy, you never loved me. To you I was just a wild child, someone to tame. After that visit to the Linton’s, you changed. You wanted the refined life, a life of silk frocks and fancy dinners. Not the life you’d have with Heathcliff, your savage!
Don’t leave me Cathy!
Did I scream out loud? I see you turn towards my window. I see the fright in your eyes. Have you seen a ghost Cathy? Did you not think I’d return to claim you? I see your confusion. What a sight I must be. Some demented ghoul looking down on the wedding party. Someone who could tear you all apart in a moment. But I will bide my time.
Don’t think marrying Linton is the end of our story, Cathy.
I’ll be back to claim what is rightfully mine. You’re part of me. We’ll never be parted. Never!
You love me, not Edgar Linton!
©DeniseCovey2011
BTW, just read a great post on What Publishing will look like in 2021. Go here to read it. Do!
34 comments:
We did Wuthering Heights for O level (15+ exams)and I was never really sure why Cathy went off with Edgar - or why Heathcliff was still so bothered after she did. But then, there wouldn't really have been a story otherwise, would there?
I like what you've done with this.
Hi,
Always a morose devil was our Heathcliff. And Cathy, wanton little harlot, and fickle with it!
Lovely descriptive and anguished piece. Loved it. ;)
best
F
MorningAJ: Yes, sometimes a little hard to work it all out. Thanks for reading/commenting.
Francine: You've got the two of them sorted! Glad you like it.
Denise<3
Thought the movie was strange, but the book would be better. Finally read it this year, after many attempts to do so and getting frustrated. Hated the book, though certain scenes were great. Both characters annoyed the hell out of me - but I can appreciate YOUR Heathcliff, here. Nice job, I can truly feel his anguish and determination to win her back.
I've never been a fan of Wuthering Heights, but I liked your story. But when it comes to the work of the Bronte sisters, I always loved Jane Eyre best. Funny how those two stories gripped the world. Wish I could write something that people would still be talking about two hundred years later.
Wow! Very powerful Denise. Makes me want to go back and try reading the story again. That's right, I never finished Wuthering Heights...
Excellent rendition of Heathcliffs attachment to Cathy. So conflicted. I've downloaded the book to my Kindle, perhaps I should open it and at least browse the pages. I hear so much good and bad about the story.
I loved your take on Heathcliffs character though. Awesome.
So sorry I haven't be by before now; I'm kinda slow on blogging this summer.
Have a good weekend Denise.
........dhole
Hi, Denise...
What a perfect choice. This relationship is one of THE most turbulent in literary history.
Heathcliff's torment is vividly portrayed. Well done.
I need to reread this classic. It's one of my ALL time favorites. So is Jane Eyre.
I'm not much of a classics reader, but I saw a version of Wuthering Heights last year on Masterpiece Theatre (here in the US) which shows English period dramas, which I love. Heathcliff was indeed a moody character and I could never quite get the dynamics of the relationship between him & Cathy.
Your Heathcliff certainly has a lot more spunk!
If I had to describe this in one word, I'd use 'intense'. Well done!
Beverly: Thank you for your comments. No matter what, I love this book.
Doralynn: Thanks for visiting/commenting. Glad you liked it.
Deniz: I've always loved it, and Jane Eyre and others like it.
Donna: You need to be in the mood. Thanks for coming by.
Michael: I thought he was an obvious choice for this challenge.
Andy: I think if Emily Bronte was writing today, she'd give him more spunk too!
Joy: Yep. Intense. That's it. Heathcliff was a very intense guy, especially regarding Cathy!
Denise
Heights was never my favourite. Jane Eyer now then you're talking.
But I did enjoy your take on this.
Thanks Al. Looks like I'll have to do a Jane Eyre piece!
Gosh, such anguish and obsession! Well done, L'Aussie.
You made me shiver, Denise! Nothing like Heathcliff to give a girl the shivers, but that tragic certainty you ended with was so sad and disturbing. He really was a gothic stalker.
Jai
That was really well written. I mean, seriously, I was very drawn to his voice. Way to go! : D
Poetic, deep and very, very intense!! It's comforting to think that SOME men go through such anguish wondering just what the woman they love feels about them. I hope he gets her in the end!
Kiru: Yes to both!
Jai: Gothic stalker. I love it! So he was!
Clara: I'm glad his voice came through. One intense dude!
Babyrocka: Looks like when a man gets it bad, he really goes off his rocker!
Thanks all for your encouraging comments. Cheered me up no end!
Denise
I found your blog through REVERIES's blog!
WOW, I love your blog.
I 17, guess too young. I have taken you a novel writing challenge in November. A 50,000 word novel=D
I guess reading your wonderful blog would help my creativity=D
Nice blog
!!!
Hamza: Welcome to my blog. I will help you if I can. Creativity is what it is all about.
Glad you're joining NaNoWriMo in November. I can't wait!
Denise
I love the idea of a male POV in a romance; I already know (well, most of the time ...) what I think. What I need is what HE's thinking about. :) One of my favorite authors to switches between the female and male POV and manages to do it very successfully.
P.S. I've left a response to your comment on Bird's-eye View, http://michellefayard.blogspot.com/2011/07/getting-blog-comments-to-work-for-you.html.
*swoon*
Yep, this is Wuthering Heights groupie candy.
Great job!
good, good work!
Not long ago I re-watched the old black and white classic with Laurence Olivier and Merle Oberon. It always was melodramatic, but still it has power to touch me--and I love black and white films. I've only read snatches of the book. Books written back in that era tend to be a bit ponderous for the modern reader.
That said: I think you perfectly captured the emotional nuances of the story and characters in this beautifully written prose poem--a dramatic monologue. Not easy for a woman to get inside a male POV!
Ann Best, Author of In the Mirror, A Memoir of Shattered Secrets
What a wonderful twist to Whuthering Height and from a male POV at that!
Power to you!
Michelle: Thank you. I'll be over to see what you said.
Lydia: Ha ha...
j littlejohn: Thank you.
Ann: I don't know Ann. I love wallowing in those old classics. The films are pretty cool too! Thanks for your kind words.
Nas: Glad you liked it!
Denise
Oops typo as you knew I meant Jane Eyre.
Ha Al I knew!
Loved how you did this Denise. We did Wuthering Heights at school too and I agree with AJ. :O)
You tell her Heathcliff! Denise, I feel quite overcome after reading that, and if Cathy doesn't want him, he can have me!
Loved it.
You did a great capture of the prose and angst of the period, Denise. Have you read PRIDE AND PREJUDICE AND ZOMBIES? Yes, there is a book with that title. I haven't read it, but I have watched ABRAHAM LINCOLN, VAMPIRE HUNTER! Roland
Madeleine: Thank you. Yes, it is a bit hard to understand as AJ says, but, you know, the power of love!
Ellie: Yes, I used to feel the same way, and same with Jane and Mr Rochester. What's wrong with these women?
Roland: Yes, I've seen that book but haven't read it. I think I wouldn't enjoy it, but I suppose I should give it a go. Thanks for sweating it out in your apartment to send this off! Hope you cool down soon...
Denise
Heathcliff is one of my all time favorite fictional characters. He is a here and antihero all rolled into one. In other ones a normal human being with abnormal or should I say extraordinary passion.
Great piece. I've thought about Heathcliff's thoughts a lot too. What Emily Bronte reveals is only his passion, his expressions, his actions. We never do actually get to read his thoughts.
Kavita
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