Wuthering Heights

Context:

Wuthering Heights is written between 1845 and 1846 by Emily Brontë', and was published in 1847. It was Emily’s only novel and under her pseudonym "Ellis Bell"; Emily died the following year in the age of 30. It is widely debated that whether Wuthering Heights should be regarded as a classic English literature. There are controversial opinions since the depiction of physical cruelty and mental torture were not common elements of an idealistic Victorian day. The English poet and painter Dante Gabriel Rossetti described it as "A fiend of a book – an incredible monster ... The action is laid in hell, – only it seems places and people have English names there."

The story is told between Lockwood’s narrative and Nelly’s narrative. The book tells the story mainly by the flashbacks. However, there are enough clues inside the book that enable the readers to form a reconstruction of its chronology. Many people, who might have not read the book before, consider Wuthering Heights as an intense and crazy love story. However, this is not true. The focus is on revenge. It tells how Heathcliff was first favored in his adopted family and then abused after the death of his adoptive father, and how he first ran away after Catherine, the girl he loves, decides to marry someone else, and later returned, rich and educated, to seek a revenge on the both families.

What is the author communicating and how?

The major two themes are obvious: love and marriage, and revenge.

• Love and marriage

Emily put a sharp emphasize on the theme of love and marriage: The love between Catherine and Heathcliff, the love between Catherine and Edgar Linton, who she later married with, and the love between Heathcliff and Isabella Linton, who Heathcliff later married with. The entire story is triggered by the unchangeable love between Catherine and Heathcliff. There is one scene in the book that is very contagious is when Mr. Lockwood visited Heathcliff’s house for the first time and stayed in the room that Catherine used to stay. He saw the ghost of Catherine outside of the window. He screamed and Heathcliff rushed into the room: “He got on to the bed, and wrenched open the lattice, bursting, as he pulled at it, into a uncontrollable passion of tears.

‘Come in! Come in!’ he sobbed. ‘Cathy, do come. Oh do- once more! Oh! My heart’s darling, here me this time- Catherine, at last!’ ” The quote by Heathcliff is after the death of Catherine. It described the struggle and pain of loosing the beloved one. There are many other quotes about the love such as this.

• Revenge

Revenge is much highlighted throughout the entire novel. It is often connected with the love and marriage. Heathcliff went back and married Edgar’s sister Isabella, and he tortured Hindley’s son and Catherine’s daughter. He was blinded by his obsession on revenge and did not think about winning Catherine back instead. The novel includes many quotes on the revenge such as: "I'm trying to settle how I shall pay Hindley back. I don't care how long I wait, if I can only do it at last. I hope he will not die before I do" (7.69).

Why do I find it beautiful?

Many people have said that Wuthering Heights is a very dark and heavy novel. It sure is. There are many abuses, physically and mentally.

However, I love how the story was set up. The revenge Heathcliff started is because of the love between him and Catherine. It is because he loves her but cannot have her that he turned into revenge and hopes to ruin the two families, which leads to his misery. He abused Isabella and their child; he tortured Hindley’s son Hareton because Hindley abused him when he was young. However, the revenge also ended because of love. Heathcliff once was overwhelmed by anger, but in the end, he realized that the revenge was pointless. He saw the eyes of Hareton and Cathy, who’s the daughter of Catherine and Edgar, and that reminded him the love between him and Catherine. He was tired and lonely and awake from the craziness. He ended his life with suicide.

Heathcliff is hateful because he ruined the life of two families. But he is also a poor soul. He suffered all the abuses in his childhood and lost the girl that means everything to him. He only realized the most important thing after all the messes he had done. But Heathcliff is also a hero in someway. His faithful love to Catherine is a brave rebellion towards the old society full with stereotypes. Even although his resistance in negative and powerless, their love finally conquered death and reach another level.

The Great Wall

Context:

The Great Wall of China is one of the greatest wonders of the world. It was listed as a World Heritage by UNESCO in 1987. Like a giant dragon, it winds across all different parts of China from east to west: mountains, deserts, grasslands, and highlands. It is about 13,170 miles (21,196 kilometers). It has a history of more than 2,000 years. Some sections are no longer complete or have disappeared. However, with its architectural techniques and historical significance, it is still one of the most attractive architecture worldwide.

The Great Wall was first built, or started, in the Zhou Dynasty, which is the very first dynasty in the Chinese History. Later during this dynasty, states split and built up their own walls as the lines of defense. This is now referred as the earliest version of the Great Wall. Later as the new Dynasty Qin emerged after Zhou, the pieces of the Great Wall were then first united and constructed into a cohesive architecture. As recorded, Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of Qin, used about five percent population of the entire nation in this project. However, as dynasty changed, the Great Wall was also constructed continuously. The Great Wall appears today was mainly built during the Ming Dynasty, which lasted from 1368 to 1620. Therefore, the construction of the Great Wall had lasted for approximately 2000 years.

What is the artist communicating and how?

• The main purpose: serve as a defense. 

1. First it appears on the composition and location of the Great Wall. Qin Shi Huang came up with the main principal of building the Great Wall—build it on the precipitous terrain. And the following constructions all followed this key. Most of the Wall was built on ridge with a very sheer ramp towards out and a relatively gentle ramp inner side. This technique adds difficulties for the intruders to invade the country.
2. There are castles and beacon towers constructed along the wall. Beacons were used broadly as for getting the signal across. It is the oldest but most effective method at that time. The border will alarm the signals when they encounter the enemy. Smoke, called "beacon", is used during the day, and fire, called "flint", is lit at night. The amount of the smoke burned or the fire lit varies depends on the size of the army coming. Beacon Tower is generally about 10 miles apart; there are towers about 5 miles as well in the Ming dynasty. Beacon distribution is also very important. The key is to arrange them on the steep and alpine mountains, or somewhere twists and turns. Also, the three beacons next to each other should be in the vision of each other, in order to deliver the message instantly.

• The symbol for power, courage, and dignity. 

It is a huge project at that time. Not only it provides as a physical barrier for invaders, but also as a psychological deterrence. The enemies were shocked by the power of the country, and the intelligence of the people.

Why do I find it beautiful?

The Great Wall is a symbol for China. It is astounding to consider that such miracle was built in ancient China with no advanced technology. It is a true masterpiece. As a Chinese, I am so proud to introduce it to others and share my experience with this miracle. The Great Wall has many components, and each has a different style. The Wall itself is raw, natural and even a little rough. People simply used all the stones that without refining or other carving. And the majority is on the ridge of the mountain. Between the mountain and the wall, the power of nature is expressed fully. Toughness can also be sensed through this design. But for castles, it is just the opposite. The gates are elaborated and the stones are sophisticated and really well carved. This is because castles are not only for defense, but are also places for the passengers and officers to stay or take a break from the long journey. Compare to the western architectures, the Great Wall is not that fancy or delicate. But that doesn’t affect people’s appreciation for its beauty. It represents toughness, solemnity, and inviolability. As a Chinese, I am very proud of this masterpiece.

Braveheart

Context:

Brave heart is a historical drama war epic film directed by Mel Gibson in 1995. The film is starred mainly by Mel Gibson as William Wallace, Sophie Marceau as Isabella of France, and Patrick McGoohan as the King of England—Edward "Longshanks”. The movie is based on the epic poem “The Actes and Deidis of the Illustre and Vallyeant Campioun Schir William Wallace” by Blind Harry. It is about a young man named William Wallace and his life fighting for Scotland’s freedom.

In 1280, King Edward "Longshanks" invaded and conquered Scotland after the death of the King Alexander III, since the king left no heir to the throne. Young William Wallace survives the deaths of his family is taken abroad by his uncle on a pilgrimage for education. Years later, Wallace came back to his hometown in Scotland and falls in love with Murron, his childhood friend. He gets into a fight with the English soldiers because he tries to recue Murron from getting rapped. Murron is captured and publicly executed. In retribution, Wallace leads the people in his hometown to fight back and gradually becomes the leader of the Scotches.

In the movie, Wallace influenced thousands of Scotches, and Isabella of the France with his courage and passion. Even after his death, there are Scotches still, inspired by him, fighting for the freedom of their homeland.

This film was nominated for ten Academy Awards, and won the Best Picture, Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Sound Editing awards, and Best Makeup On the 68th Academy Awards in 1996.

What is the artist communicating and how?

•        How—the use of beautiful scenery

The film is about freedom, patriotism, and courage. The film includes all the beautiful scenery of Scotland to express the beauty of the land. Meanwhile, these beautiful sights give the audiences visions of the homeland that Wallace is fighting for which make them sympathize more with William’s patriotism. There are controversies considering the story took place in Scotland, but many of the scenes were actually shot in Ireland. However, most of the shots took in Ireland are on castles. The actual natural beauty of Scotland is mostly taken from the Scottish Highlands: Glencoe, Scotland, and Loch Leven, Scotland. The landscapes are just like Wallace, really wild, tough, but with beauty and awe.

The village Wallace grows up and later falls in love with Murron was filmed in the Glen Nevis Valley at the foot of the highest mountain peak in Britain—Ben Nevis. After Wallace’s revenges on the nobles who betrayed him, he took a trek along the magnificent mountain path, which was filmed on the Mamores, which are all ten mountains linked by a slender ridge between Loch Leven and Glen Nevis. The astounding beauty of natural provokes audiences’ love for the land as well.

•      How—the power of speech

“Wallace: Sons of Scotland, I am William Wallace. (Young soldier: William Wallace is 7 feet tall.) Yes, I've heard. Kills men by the hundreds, and if he were here he'd consume the English with fireballs from his eyes and bolts of lightning from his arse. I AM William Wallace. And I see a whole army of my countrymen here in defiance of tyranny. You have come to fight as free men, and free men you are. What would you do without freedom? Will you fight? (Veteran soldier: Fight? Against that? No, we will run; and we will live.) Wallace: Aye, fight and you may die. Run and you'll live—at least a while. And dying in your beds many years from now, would you be willing to trade all the days from this day to that for one chance, just one chance to come back here and tell our enemies that they may take our lives, but they'll never take our freedom!!!

Wallace and Soldiers: Alba gu bra! (Scotland forever!)

This speech is made before the battle with England when the Scotch army is out numbered. Using the speech, Wallace encouraged everyone in the army that everyman dies, and they should die for something meaning for. The enemies can take their lives away, but not their dignities, nor the freedom of the land.

Why do I find it beautiful?--The perfect combination of music, plot and the scenery

The film was almost 3 hours long but I wasn’t bored at all. The movie combined the music and the plot perfectly. Bagpipe is the traditional Scottish instrument that is intensively used in the movie. It is used in many pieces to create the atmosphere.

The bagpipes can be used to portray many different kinds of atmospheres. It can be happy and romantic, just like when Wallace returns to the village and meet Murron at the dance; it can be wild and rapid, just like when Wallace takes Murron for the horse ride; it can also be solemn and has a sense of mission in “the legend spreads”. For orchestra music, the Original Sound Track: “Betrayal & desolation” is shocking and stirring. It appeared when Wallace finds out that the nobles and his friend Rob betray him. The OST “freedom” for Wallace’s final execution created a sense of solemn and stirring. First by a horn repeatedly playing the same progressive three tone melodies with the band constantly harmonizing in the background to depict the theme of the magnificent scenery; then the bagpipes in a high-pitched tone started the theme of the hero. With awe and sadness, we will remember the last cry of Wallace during the execution with all his strength: Freedom! Then the music back to the Hero Theme with two themes intertwines with each other. A chorus joins later in the melody, slowly and gracefully, for the praise to the noblest love. This seven minutes finale gives an overview of the film and a powerful end as well. I love all the OST for this movie, because they bring such a heavy sense of culture, and I can visualize the scene even without the pictures.

Winged Victory of Samothrace

Context:

The Winged Victory of Samothrace is a marble sculpture that portrays the Greek goddess Nike, as known as the Goddess of Victory. The sculptor is unknown. Discovered in 1863, the statue was created in approximately 2nd-century BC. It got the name because of the location it was first discovered: the island of Samothrace, which was then part of the Ottoman Empire.

The Winged Victory of Samothrace is a classic representation for The Hellenistic Period, which is often considered a period of transition. The Hellenistic arts are known for its diversity in subject matters and styles. The artwork turned from idealistic and flawless figures to realistic and natural figures with depiction of emotion and character. The Winged Victory of Samothrace depicts the Goddess in a female human shape with a pair of wings. With numerous details, such as the curvy lines, the statue successfully expresses the senses of beauty, power, and movement.

The Hellenistic period is also characterized by the numerous naval battles. These battles were generally between the kingdoms as they fought to control the Aegean Sea. Therefore, massive amount of statues were built as monuments for victory. In fact, Samothrace was an important sanctuary for the Hellenistic Macedonian kings. The most likely battle commemorated by this monument is, perhaps, the Battle of Cos in 255 BC, in which Antigonus II Gonatas of Macedonia won over the fleet of Ptolemy II of Egypt.

What is the artist communicating?

The messenger goddess Victory is depicted in a winged female figure with a base in the ship prow shape. The monument was not only created to honor Nike, the goddess, but also to celebrate the victory in the sea battle. It expresses a sense of motion and triumph through the delicate drapery and pose.

How: The use of Drapery to create the motion and the power of wind

According to the statue, The Victory is wearing a tunic, a dress beneath, and a cloak, which falls smoothly and folds to her feet. The chiton is held in place by the belt placed beneath the breasts. Generating folds over the hips shortens the cloth. The flowing lines of the cloth are depicted with great virtuosity. The composition of the chiton over the left thigh is carved with wrinkles in order to present the scenery of wind blowing and making the light cloth bunched in many fine folds on the Victory’s sides. The sculptor carved the front of the left leg with surface incisions in order to present the drapery of light cloth. Also, the cloak is blown open by the wind. It is also held in the air on the backside of the statue by the sheer force of the wind.

How: the pose and its effect on the expression on motion:

From the statue, it looks like the goddess is descending from the sky and landing upon the prow of the ship. It not only meets the needs of commemorating a naval battle, but also expressing the theme of victory. Although the statue has lost its head and arms, its presentation on the motion remains unaffected. The upper part of the body appears in a position of leaning forward; for the side view, the top point of Victory’s chest along with the wavy outlines of the wings composed a blunt triangle, which strengthens the expression of the forward position.

Why do I find it beautiful?

• The Imperfectness

The statue is not complete. It has lost its arms and head. However, this imperfectness can sometimes be what is unique about this statue. With no limitations, the audience can generate their own understanding towards the statue. Also, they can have their own imaginations over the missing parts. Without boundaries, the statue can be appreciated even more widely.

• The motion in the static statue

There is no doubt that the statue is in static state. What is fascinating is that the motion of wind and the goddess can be sensed under the static condition. The cloak in the air, the twisted and flowing drapery, the delicate folds, and the forward pose all contribute to the expression on motion. These details reflect how the statue well designed and carved, and how the art during the Hellenistic period is focused on realism rather than idealism.

• The transparency of the statue

In the statue, Victory’s cloth is blown under the wind and wraps the body tightly. Each fold is depicted in very fine details. Especially for the area of the stomach, the skin, muscles, and bellybutton can be seen beneath the thin layer of due to of the carved lines and other details. The statue is made of marble. The stone itself is opaque, but through the sculptural techniques, the sense of transparency can be perceived directly.

"The Scream" by Edward Munch

The Scream by Edvard Munch

“The Scream” is a famous paint created by Edvard Munch in 1893. It depicts a genderless person standing next to a railing with a very twisted and disturbing background. And from his hand gestures on the sides of his head, his mouth wide open, and his other facial expressions, it is obvious that the person is screaming. There are four versions of the paint: pastel on cardboard created in 1983, oil, tempera and pastel on cardboard created in 1983, pastel on cardboard with a relatively brighter color in 1895, and tempera on cardboard again in 1910. The most recognizable version is the second paint created with oil, tempera, and pastel on cardboard in 1983. It is located at the National Gallery in Oslo, Norway.

Edvard Munch was born in 1863 December 12, and died in 1944 January 23 at Oslo. Munch's mother died in 1868, and his favorite sister Johanne Sophie died later in 1877. He then was raised by his father and aunt. Grieved from the death of his wife, Munch’s father told him many ghost stories, which were often related to Munch’s mother. In Munch’s autobiography, he described his father as “temperamentally nervous and obsessively religious—to the point of psychoneurosis”. From him Munch inherited the seeds of madness. The oppressive religious background, in addition to Munch's poor health, and the vivid ghost stories helped to inspire his thrilling visions and paints.

What is the artist communicating and how?

•  Death and Fear

The very first theme is about death and fear. In the painting, the protagonist is portrayed with a pale grey color, which is highly similar with the color of human skeleton. His face has two hollow eyes and a big wide opened mouth. The image overlaps with the shape of a human skull. Skull has long been recognized as a symbol of death and danger. It has been broadly used in horror movies, dangerous chemicals and so on. Despite the shape, content wise, the person in the paint was screaming with fear. The sky in the background was painted in red and orange. Such a mixture of color can symbolize fire, or blood. Either represents danger, destroy, and death. The entire paint was trying to convey the emotion of stress and fear, and the underlying theme of death.

• Disturbance and tension

The paint is full of contradictories. With these contradictories, Munch created a sense of disturbance and tension. The most obvious conflict is between colors. The sky is portrayed in extreme warm and bright colors, but the river is portrayed in extreme cold and dark colors. Without any graduated colors, the paint was abruptly split into two parts. The second conflict is between lines. Munch used a massive amount of curvy lines in the background to portray the sky and water. However, the railing, where the person is standing by, is portrayed in straight lines. The protagonist is twisted and all in curvy lines; however, the two passengers in the background are painted perfectly straight. This contradiction shows the loneliness of the protagonist, and created an abnormal sense.

Why do I find it beautiful?

I think this paint super reliable. It is amazing how the extreme inner anxieties can be sensed through a two-dimension, abstract paint. All these disturbance elements made the paint full of anxieties and stress. Looking at paint reminds me of my own restless moments. I can see myself sitting in front of a computer trying to get my paper done; or I can see myself trying to catch the bus or I will be late. By relating to myself, I started to feel something beyond fear and stress. I started to sense the loneliness and hopelessness, which are not something that are directly expressed in the paint. It shows how personal interpretations can bring different experiences. Another example would be the actual site of the painting: an overlook on the side of a road called "Valhallveien" on a hill above Oslo, Norway. 

The hill is known as Ekeberg Hill. Ekeberg is a neighborhood of Oslo that is located at the south of the city. This actual road is actually a very popular place because of its beautiful scenery. Citizens and visitors often take the road up to the top of the hill and get an overlook of the city. However, the road was pictured so differently from the reality in the paint, which shows the magnificent influence that painter has over his work.

Vltava by Smetana

Symphonic poem: “Vltava” by Smetana

Context:

Má vlast—“My homeland" In the Czech language, is a collection of six symphonic poems composed by the Czech composer Bedřich Smetana between 1874 and 1879. Even as a collection, the six pieces are always presented individually and considered individual works. The Vltava is the second poem, also the most famous one. It is in the key of E minor, and about 12 minutes long. It was composed between 20 November and 8 December 1874, and was premiered on 4 April 1875. In this piece, Smetana used tone painting to present the voice of one of Bohemia's great rivers.

The Vltava River is the longest river within the Czech Republic and is often considered as the national river of Czech. The composition describes the Vltava River, from the very beginning to the end. The river starts with the two small springs that later joined into a single current. The Vltava River first runs across southeast along the Bohemian Forest, and north across Bohemia, through Český Krumlov, České Budějovice and Prague. It flows through the villages and witnessed the daily lives of the people there. As it swirls into the St John's Rapids and rushes out from the cliff, it widened and finally flows toward Prague. After passing the Vyšehrad, it vanishes into the distance and merged into the Labe.

What is the artist communicating and How?

            Smetana used many musical techniques to visualize the journey of the river. This is a poem that conveys the author’s deep love for this river and his nation. It expressed his pride on the history and beauty of his homeland.

For the first section: the river starts with two springs—one cold and one warm. Flute represented the cold current and created a sense of light and cool. Then Clarinet joined into the piece and plays for the warm current. As the music developed, the music gets louder and thicker, which represents the river getting bigger. Here, the main melody of Vltava appeared for the first time. It is pictured by a very strong and wavy rhythm.

For the second section: the river is passing through the forest. This piece used French horn and trumpet to simulate the trumpets of the hunters. The dense and strong sound of French horn and trumpet pictured the mysterious and dangerous forest.

For the third section: the river passed through the forest and gets to the village where farmer’s wedding is held. This section is presented with a melody of Czekh’s Folk Dances—Polka. The jumping notes and fast beats create a sense of happiness.

For the fourth section: this section visualized the round dance of the mermaids in the night's moonshine. Flute plays for the mermaids and strings plays for the moonshine; together with Clarinet and harp, the orchestra creates a beautiful and peaceful dance scene. As the night ends, it is breaking dawn. The rhythm gets more rapid and jumpy, and then the main melody followed for the second time, even more vigorous than the first time—new day is coming.

For the fifth part: The river gets to the St John's Rapids, an area that is really precipitous. This section used a lot of sharp notes of violin and brasses instruments to simulate river's fast pace, also the sound of the waves beating the rocks. The rapid and unorganized rhythm created a sense of stress and dangerous. As the river flows, it gets to a cliff and the orchestra creates a sudden pause in the piece to simulate the water rushing into the air and falls.

For the seventh section: As the river finally rushed out of the rapids and approaches the Prague Castle, melody changes from soft, and dim to bright and strong, as if the river gallops forward magnificently, and full of the joy of victory. This section represents the history of Czech, and conveyed a sense of solemn and majesty, and also a sense of welcoming and pride.

The entire symphony ends as the river flows away.

Why I found it beautiful:

There has never been such a song that depicts a river so specifically. Smetana combined the melody with the actual scenery along side the river. It was created based on the history of Czechs fighting against the ruling of foreign nations, and also the magnificent scenery and culture of the nation. The entire poem personalizes the river and evokes the patriotic emotion inside of all the citizens. At 1874, Smetana was deaf, but he continued to composite regardless of the difficulties. The entire set of symphonic poems, My Homeland, was created while Smetana was suffering from the deafness. Among the melodies, Smetana’s patriotic heart can be felt easily.

Vltava River is the national river for Czech. This reminds me of the Yellow River of China. As a Chinese, I love my country and consider the yellow river as the spirit of my nation. There are also some Chinese songs that sang about the yellow river. During the period of Anti-Japanese War, these songs encouraged many generations, young or old, to fight against the difficulties and helped them get through the tough time. It is surprising how much emotion that music can carry and how much message it can convey. Crossed the borders, they inspired numerous patriots to fight.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hY0BJOcEiOM