“Joseph is the wearisomest and self-righteous Pharisee who ever ransacked the Bible to rake the promises to himself and fling the curses on his neighbor.”
Explore This Quote Further
Analysis of Emily Brontë's Quote
In this quote, Emily Brontë is critiquing Joseph, a character from her novel "Wuthering Heights." By describing him as "the wearisomest and self-righteous Pharisee," Brontë is comparing Joseph to the Pharisees, who were known for their strict adherence to religious laws. She accuses Joseph of twisting the teachings of the Bible to suit his own selfish purposes, using promises to benefit himself and curses to condemn others. This quote highlights Brontë's disdain for Joseph's hypocrisy and religious arrogance. By aligning him with the Pharisees, she reveals her belief that Joseph's actions are morally reprehensible and betray a lack of true faith and compassion.
Modern Relevance
Emily Brontë's quote about Joseph being a self-righteous Pharisee who twists scripture to his benefit can be seen as a cautionary tale about the dangers of using religion to judge and condemn others in a hypocritical manner.
Emily Brontë criticizes a character named Joseph
"Joseph is the wearisomest and self-righteous Pharisee who ever ransacked the Bible to rake the promises to himself and fling the curses on his neighbor.”
Reflecting on Emily Brontë's Quote
As we consider this quote by Emily Brontë, it prompts us to reflect on the character of Joseph as described. Here are some questions to help deepen our understanding and reflection on this statement:
- How does Emily Brontë's characterization of Joseph as wearisome and self-righteous impact your perception of his personality and actions?
- In what ways do you see Joseph as someone who uses religious texts to justify his behavior and beliefs, even at the expense of others?
- Do you believe there are parallels between Joseph's behavior and the actions of individuals or groups you have encountered in your own life?
- How does the concept of self-righteousness manifest itself in society and its impact on relationships between individuals?
- In what ways can we guard against falling into the trap of self-righteousness and judgment of others, as exemplified by Joseph in this quote?
Similar quotes
“He was, and is yet, most likely, the wearisomest, self-righteous pharisee that ever ransacked a Bible to rake the promises to himself, and fling the curses on his neighbours.”
“Hindley, with apparently the stronger head, has shown himself sadly the worse and weaker man ... One hoped, the other despaired: they chose their own lots, and were righteously doomed to endure them.”
“The guest was now the master of Wuthering Heights: he held firm possession, and proved to the attorney, who, in his turn, proved it to Mr. Linton, that Earnshaw had mortaged every yard of land he owned for cash to supply his mania for gaming; and he, Heathcliff, was the mortgagee.In that manner, Hareton, who should now be the first gentleman in the neighbourhood, was reduced to a state of complete dependence on his father's inveterate enemy; and lives in his own house as a servant deprived of the advantage of wages, and quite unable to right himself, because of his friendlessness, and his ignorance that he has been wronged.”
“I used to draw a comparison between him, and Hindley Earnshaw, and perplex myself to explain satisfactorily, why their conduct was so opposite in similar circumstances. They had both been fond husbands, and were both attached to their children; and I could not see how they shouldn't both have taken the same road, for good or evil. But, I thought in my mind, Hindley, with apparently the stronger head, has shown himself sadly the worse and the weaker man. When his ship struck, the captain abandoned his post; and the crew, instead of trying to save her, rushed into riot, and confusion, leaving no hope for their luckless vessel. Linton, on the contrary, displayed the true courage of a loyal and faithful soul: he trusted God; and God comforted him. One hoped, and the other despaired; they chose their own lots, and were righteously doomed to endure them.”
“He had been content with daily labour and rough animal enjoyments, 'till Catherine crossed his path. Shame at her scorn, and hope of her approval, were his first prompts to higher pursuits; and, instead of guarding him from one and winning him to the other, his endeavors to raise himself had produced just the contrary result.”
“It's a pity he cannot kill himself with drink.”