“I Will Crumble”
<!–[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 <![endif]–><!–[if gte mso 9]> <![endif]–> Music is a prominent feature in the film. Music is theway that Heath is expressed as “the other” because his music is different from all of the other music in the film. The music separates Heath from the other characters and gives more depth to his character as a foreigner. Therefore, one of the most interesting juxtapositions is the use of music by Heath and by Linton. As I stated before, Heath’s use of music is one of the things that categorizes him as an “other.” Heath’s music is rock, dark, and soul possessing. In the songs he writes for Cate, you can tell through the music as well as the lyrics that there is something captivating in the song. Part of the song Heath writes for Cate goes:
And if you should ever leave me, I will crumble—
That’s just the way I am,
I hope you never leave me
That is to say…If you should sink I don’t want to swim
If you lock the door, I’ll beg to come in
If you should sing, I wont make a sound
If you should fly, I’ll curse the ground
The song very much represents the love between Cate and Heath: captivating and necessary. Even during the time when Cate and Heath are separated and Heath becomes a rock star, it is clear from Heath’s performances that he is lost in the music and consumed with thoughts of Cate.
In the film, Linton is also a musician, however a very different kind of musician than Heath. Linton is shown playing the cello a few times throughout the movie. Every time he plays, the emotions expressed are very different than those of Heath. Linton’s music is soothing and classical; he plays on the cello. These elements are very predictable of his character as well as his position in life. Linton’s music lacks the soul, heart and feeling that Heath’s embodies. There is no deep urging and longing felt when Linton plays; you cannot feel Linton’s emotions when he plays as you can when Heath does.
At one point toward the end of the movie, Linton plays Heath’s song at a party for his parents. Heath comes storming in to the party and yells at Linton to stop playing his song. Heath understands that Linton is playing the song because of Linton’s love for Cate, but Linton lacks the passion that Heath has when he plays the song. Heath is not only angry that Linton is playing the song for Cate, but is also angry because the song is so much a part of him that it is painful for him for someone he hates to be playing it for the girl he loves.
The difference of emotion between Linton and Heath and the way they both use music in the film again is another element that separates Heath as the “other”. Through his music especially, you can feel how he is different from all of the other characters, even Cate. Heath has a passion and violent emotion for life and love that is almost impossible to describe and thus makes it necessary to be felt through the film and the music. One of first things we see Heath doing in the film when he comes to the Heights is play the piano. I already discussed the representation and rejection of Heath as the other in this scene. Hendrix comes running up and smashes the piano cover on Heath’s hands. Heath constantly being connected to music in the film, therefore, is one of the biggest factors connecting him to his part as the other because of his passion.
The following clip is a compilation of scenes from the movie as well as the songs that Heath writes. The film clips show the passion between Heath and Cate’s relationship as well as the passion in Heath’s music.
I found this to be very interesting. I have never seen the MTV version on Wuthering Heights,however, now I am very intrigued. I think this novel would be hard to bring into a modern setting and i actually think the way MTV did it was pretty creative. Like stated in the posting above this movie was done by MTV and therefore music is expected, but I liked the way they gave music so much meaning to the story. Some of this movie adaptation seems a little of as said in some of the articles written, but I think this is a hard novel to portray in any movie. I thought the analysis of this was very interesting!
= Katie Smart
I think that the above clip does a good job of showing the juxtaposition of Linton’s music (what I presume to be the soft, soothing music at the beginning of the clip: “If you want to sleep, I’ll pull a shade…”) with Heath’s darker, rock music (what I presume to be the music closer to the end of the clip: “This is what I brought you. This you can keep…”) In creating a modern film adaptation of a novel from 1847, I think an incorporation of contemporary music is necessary and although the MTV adaptation of “Wuthering Heights” does not stay completely true to the original story, the movie’s use of music as a way to portray Heath as “other” (with his music being different from all of the other music in the film) is an interesting and effective concept.
In addition, Linton’s playing Heath’s song at a party for his parents in the film reminded me of the Susan Meyer article that we read, “Reverse Imperialism in Wuthering Heights,”- specifically the part about language and the colonized. In taking Heath’s song and singing Heath’s words, Linton in a way assumes control of Heath’s voice. In the discourse of power, although Linton is Heathcliff’s son, at this point in the film, he controls language. This circumstance only reiterates Heath’s characterization as “other.”
- Katie Moyes
First, I wanted to say how I actually you-tubed clips of “Wuthering Heights” the mtv movie before I came to this blog and realized there were already posted on here! The one clip I watched was titled, “I will Crumble” and it is the scene where Heath is singing on his guitar and Cate comes in and watches him. Honestly, as short as the clip was, I found myself very intrigued to see this movie. Although I know there are major differences between this movie and the novel, I can’t help myself in actaully wanting to see this movie and compare it to the book. The addition of music, especially in relation to Heath and Linton’s characters, is something a modern audience would find essential in the success of this movie. I enjoyed the clip posted above because it really shows how important music is, to this film. I think you guys did a great job in analyzing this film, detail for detail, because it is so different to the novel and I really look forward to watching it as soon as I can!
-Allana Mortell
Use of music is a very interesting concept, and it makes sense in the MTV version. Still, the idea of Heathcliff being a tortured musician doesn’t really equate for me. The rock star image is kind of grungy and self-pitying, but Heathcliff really does some horrible things in the book, and I don’t feel like the image of Heathcliff as a musician translates that entirely. Then again, I have not seen the movie, but after reading so much about it, I think I might just watch it, and then form my opinions afterward.
-Carrie Muller