An Experience with Wuthering Heights





7 thoughts on “An Experience with Wuthering Heights”

  1. Why do we feel guilty about showing the movie first? I have had exactly the same thoughts as you–that perhaps it would be better to show the movie first. I guess the only problem would be the fear that they wouldn't read the book because they think they know it. But then again, how can we know they'll read anything? I'm glad you had this experience.

  2. I've had a few students remark to me that it would be easier for them to understand books if I were to show the film version first. I was never taught that way, but…the more I think about it, that might be the perfect way to hook them in to the book. After having hardly ANY students read To Kill a Mockingbird this year (broke my heart), I've got to try SOMETHING different for next year. *sigh*

  3. And it can certainly be shown in pieces. Maybe show the beginning as a hook to get them into and comfortable with the reading. I ran out of time for Twelfth Night this year before winter break and scrambled to cover the end with the movie version. I'll have to check out your movie suggestion, as I don't love either film version that I have though I do show different scenes for comparisions (Laurence Olivier and Ralph Fiennes versions.)

    My students blogged in the voice of one character. If you have time (ha ha) you could have your students comment:

  4. I always hesitate to show the movie first unless it is very faithful to the book. I tend to find that I cannot enjoy a book as much as I would if I came to it fresh and unencumbered by pre-selected images and interpretations such as are imposed on you by a film. So I don't want to spoil it for a student. On the other hand I too run out of time and am battling with the instantaneous culture of a modern world where for many students the time is simply not available to read or they prefer to do other things. I work in New Zealand and I have to say I am very impressed by the wonderful things you seem to be doing with your classes. I have just discovered e-portfolios as a method of creating some individual reflection and responses by students. They may operate similarly to the interactive notebooks you mention.

    1. Sally, I agree, the images do impose themselves when we watch the film first. This particular version of Wuthering Heights was faithful to the book, but the majority of them aren't. It's a tough decision to make, and I'll have to think hard about it over the summer—I definitely want students to read the novel next year.

  5. I couldn't help but remember the MTV version of Wuthering Heights I accidentally picked up in Blockbuster a couple of years ago. I'll leave it at this: Heathcliff became a rock star.

    Also, concerning using video, I showed my (pretty weak, overall) ninth-graders the first piece of To Kill a Mockingbird first thing. Then, I read the first chapter to them and we discussed it and put it all in historical context. It was my first time using this strategy and worked really well.

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