Derivative Parallel Poems




Linton vs. Cathy

By Emily Davis


A pale, delicate, effeminate boy who had a sickly peevishness in his aspect (183-184).
Linton's pleasantest manner of spending a hot July day
was l y i n g from morning till evening on a bank of heath
in the middle of the moors,
with bees humming

d r e a m i l y

about among the bloom,
the larks singing high up over head, and the blue sky and bright sun shining steadily and cloudlessly.
He wanted to L
I
E in ectasy of peace (227).

"I'm ill tonight, Catherine, love" (229).

He was asleep in the corner..." (183).

Catherine was both

plump

and slender,
elastic as steel, and her whole aspect
sparkling
with health and spirits (198).
Cathy's pleasantest manner of spending a hot July day was rocking in a rustling green tree,
with a west wind b l o w i n g, and bright white clouds flitting rapidly above;
and not only larks, but throstles and blackbirds, and linnets, and cuckoos pouring out music on every side,
and the moors seen at a distance, broken into cool dusky dells;
but close by great swells of long grass u n d u l a t i n g in waves to the breeze and woods and sounding water,
and the whole world awake and wild with joy. She wanted all to
sparkle
, and dance in glorious jubilee (227).

"...I looked at the great room, and thought how nice it would be to play in..." (227).

"She ran, and returned and ran again many times before..." (183).


Annotation:

This poem demonstrates the exact opposing characteristics that Cathy and Linton each posses.

First Linton is sickly, thin, and pale. He talks of wanting to sleep all the time and lay down and of being sick. Catherine, however, is healthy and plump and beautiful. She talks of wanting to play and running to and fro everywhere.

Their most obvious difference comes from each of their description of paradise. Although practically the same scene, the subtle differences symbolize the opposing forces each child clings to. Cathy's ideals buzz with excitement and liveliness whereas Linton wants peace, quiet, somberness--almost like his approaching death will be like.





Catherine and Young Cathy

By Katy Brooks


As queen of the country side (59)
Catherine was a haughty, headstrong creature (59)
Her tongue always going,
She had the sweetest smile
and the lightest foot in the parish.
A wild, wicked slip who meant no harm
Spending her time behaving as badly as possible all day (37)
Catherine had a wondrous constancy to old attachments (59)
and grew up as rude as savages (37)
“I vexed her frequently by trying to bring down her arrogance” Nelly said (59).
She had no peer, but still a hold on her affections (59).

Young Cathy came with a sensitive heart
and lively to excess in its affections.
Her spirit was high, though not rough
With a capacity for intense attachments.
She was a real beauty in face
With handsome dark eyes and fair skin
Her small features went with her yellow curling hair.
However, she had faults to foil her gifts.
She was saucy
And had a perverse will,
but her anger was never furious,
And her love never fierce (173).

“My years with the lady were the happiest of my life” said Nelly (172-173).


Annotation:

This poem shows how much Catherine and her daughter, Young Cathy, differ. They have completely different personalities, yet, somewhat relate. Both are pretty and have saucy manners about them. However, Catherine is mean and wants her own way all the time. Young Cathy never had a furious manner and was always in high spirits. From Nelly’s comments about both of them, the reader sees how mother and daughter, while at the same time impacting her life, make completely opposite marks on her life.





Joseph and Nelly

By Mike Lewis


"Aw'd just slam't boards I' their faces all on ‘em, gentle and simple!
Shoo sits watching for ye I' t' kitchen, in at one door,
aht t' other, bonny behaviour! Lurking amang t' fields
after twelve ut' night, wi' that fahl, flaysome divil uf a gipsy.
Yah gooid fur nowt, slatternly witch!" (79)

"And yet, you have no scruples in completely ruining all hopes of her perfect restoration,
by thrusting yourself into her remembrance now,
when she has nearly forgotten you,
and involving you in a new tumult of discord and distress." (136)

"He's noan feard uh t' norther Paul, nur Peter,
nur John, nor Mathew, nor noan on ‘em, nut he!
He fair like's he langs tuh set his brazened face ‘em!
He can girn a laugh, as weel's onybody at a raight divil's jest.
This is t' way on ‘t - up at sun-dahn; dice,brandy, cloised shutters." (95)

"Hush, hush! He's a human being,
be more charitable:
there are worse men than he is yet!" (157)

"Yah desarve pining froo this tuh Churstmas,
flinging t' precius gifts uh God
under fooit I' yer flaysome rages!" (132)

Paths were rustling with moist, withered leaves,
and the cold, blue sky half ridden by clouds - dark grey streamers.
I requested my young lady to forgoe her ramble
I was certain of showers.
I unwillingly donned a cloak, and took my umbrella to accompany her. (211)

"Th' divil's harried off his soul.
Ech! What a wicked un he looks
girnning at death!" (306)

"I believe the dead are at peace,
but it is not right to speak of them with levity." (308)


Annotation:

This poem shows the different attitudes of Joseph and Nelly, while at the same time showcasing their consistency. They are the only two characters who have not gone through a dramatic personality change. Joseph's behavior tends to be quite radical in that he explosive and volitile. He doesn't really think before he opens his mouth. Nelly on the other hand, is more considerate of others. She tries to reason in her mind and she cares about how the other characters feel.