实践主题Topic： Equal love

Discuss the equal love in literature or in life.

实践目标Objective of the practice

1) To get familiar with the words and expressions learned in this unit

2) To be able to put the reading skill into personal practice

实践任务Tasks

1) Discuss the feminism with your friends or classmates.

2) Use proper words and expressions to show your attitudes toward the equal love.

实践要求Requirements

Write down what has come to your mind during your thinking and discussion, and organize them into a neat essay.

Sample：

Introduce the equal love in Wuthering Heights or reality. Try to imply your attitude towards the feminism in the choice of the words instead of direct telling.

教师解析：

Equal love in Wuthering Heights

As members of wealthy families, the Earnshaws and the Lintons are in somewhat precarious place of the late 18th and early 19th century of British society. At the top of the British Society was the royalty, then the aristocracy, and then by the fentry, and followed by the lower classes, who make the majority of the population. The Earnshaws and the Lintons are the member of gentry, while Heathcliff is obviously the lower class. The inequality between th two kinds of people result in the later conflicts. Considerations of class status often influence the characters’ motivation in the novel, such as Catherine’s decision to marry Edgar. In my opinion, it is another kind of way to desire equality. Though Catherine was born in a wealthy family, the Earnshaws are still not at same social status as the Lintons. To be “equal” to the Lintons, Catherine decides to leave her lover and get a better life. This kind of “equality” is only the selfishness the lady, which means nothing special to the others. The real desire for equality in the novel is from Heathcliff. Born in an inferior family, Heathcliff loses his parents when he is still very young. In the society, he is the weakest group, as he has no shelter and no ability to make a living for himself. His exotic appearance also makes the members of the Earnshaws, even the servants look down upon him. The cruel treatment at first makes young Heathcliff obedient. But as he grows up, his strong feelings to be equal are difficult to control until one day his lover Catherine decides to marry the noble gentleman Edgar. He realizes the inequality between him and beautiful Catherine is so obvious that he can never overcome it unless he get the same equal as they do. For the uneducated young boy of that period of time, it is really difficult to get the equality from the dominant class. So Heathcliff uses the illegal and immoral way to fulfill his plan. Though he get the equality, he is still unequal to others, as he has changed into an evil monster. His behaviours are usually looked down by others. He uses the extreme methods to get everything he needs, and comparing to Jane’s long struggle for equality, we can see that Heathcliff seems to be easier than Jane to get the equality. The only reason is he is the man. Though he is in the lower class, he is still strong in his appearance. When he gets enough money, it is much easier for him to get other things. But for Jane, even though she were as rich as Rochester, it would be impossible for her to be as equal as him. She is the woman. The society has put them into the weaker and inferior goup, protected by the men.

Isabella is the only one who doesn’t get the equality in her whole life. As a member of Lintons, Isabella should have lived more happily. Her life is completely controlled by the “evil” Heathcliff. She has to endure the tortures from her husband and lives a hard life. Until one day, she has to flee away from the family and dies when she gives the birth to the baby. For her, to be equal to her husband is impossible. Young Catherine Linton is the opposite one. She is educated and knows how to fight to get her own rights. She never gives in to Heathcliff, which makes her grow independently. Through her views on equality are still narrow (she looks down on Hareton because he id uneducated), she learns to fight against the dominant male class of the society and manages to obtain the equality. From her, we can see the image of the woman today, educated, clever and independent.