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execution of the decree which dooms him to carry Hell with him wherever
he wanders。 No； the single link that connects Heathcliff with humanity is
his rudely…confessed regard for Hareton Earnshaw … the young man whom
he has ruined； and then his half…implied esteem for Nelly Dean。 These
solitary traits omitted； we should say he was child neither of Lascar nor
gipsy； but a man's shape animated by demon life … a Ghoul … an Afreet。
Whether it is right or advisable to create beings like Heathcliff； I do
not know： I scarcely think it is。 But this I know： the writer who possesses
the creative gift owns something of which he is not always master …
something that； at times； strangely wills and works for itself。 He may lay
down rules and devise principles； and to rules and principles it will
perhaps for years lie in subjection； and then； haply without any warning of
revolt； there comes a time when it will no longer consent to 'harrow the
valleys； or be bound with a band in the furrow' … when it 'laughs at the
multitude of the city； and regards not the crying of the driver' … when；
refusing absolutely to make ropes out of sea…sand any longer； it sets to
work on statue…hewing； and you have a Pluto or a Jove； a Tisiphone or a
Psyche； a Mermaid or a Madonna； as Fate or Inspiration direct。 Be the
work grim or glorious； dread or divine； you have little choice left but
quiescent adoption。 As for you … the nominal artist … your share in it has
been to work passively under dictates you neither delivered nor could
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Two Short Pieces
question … that would not be uttered at your prayer； nor suppressed nor
changed at your caprice。 If the result be attractive； the World will praise
you； who little deserve praise； if it be repulsive； the same World will
blame you； who almost as little deserve blame。
'Wuthering Heights' was hewn in a wild workshop； with simple tools；
out of homely materials。 The statuary found a granite block on a solitary
moor； gazing thereon； he saw how from the crag might be elicited a head；
savage； swart； sinister； a form moulded with at least one element of
grandeur … power。 He wrought with a rude chisel； and from no model but
the vision of his meditations。 With time and labour； the crag took human
shape； and there it stands colossal； dark； and frowning； half statue； half
rock： in the former sense； terrible and goblin…like； in the latter； almost
beautiful； for its colouring is of mellow grey； and moorland moss clothes it；
and heath； with its blooming bells and balmy fragrance； grows faithfully
close to the giant's foot。
CURRER BELL。
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