Observation

This question requires the candidates to discuss the significance of Thrushcross Grange, the home of the Lintons, in the novel.

Candidates were expected to discuss the following:

• Statement of the themes of love and vengeance, marriage, etc.
• Description of Thrushcross Grange.
• Major incidents at the Grange: Mr. Lockwood rents and occupies it for its cool atmosphere. Catherine is bitten by Linton’s dog. Catherine recuperates and gains refinement at the Grange. Heathcliff returns from his sojourn and visits Catherine, now Mrs. Edgar Linton. Young Cathy is born and groomed at the Grange. Heathcliff visits the Grange after the death of Edgar and lures Cathy to Wuthering Heights to marry his ailing son, Young Linton. Hareton and Catherine marry and return to reclaim the Grange.
• The qualities of Thrushcross Grange: it ‘is a place of liberty’ thus symbolizing convalescence and freedom. It is ‘removed from the stir of society’, thereby providing tranquility and relative peace to its occupants. Thrushcross Grange is portrayed as being of humane ambience.
• The significance of Thrushcross Grange: the families of the Heights and Grange are brought together through Catherine’s visit to the Grange. Heathcliff’s focus on the Grange results in the tragedy in the novel. The Grange provides the setting for the resolution of the plot. The Grange provides the setting that contrasts with Wuthering Heights.

Candidates’ performance was good.