This question is based on Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights. From the events in the novel, one can conclude that Joseph is

Analyze the question: You are asked to describe Joseph's character from the events in Wuthering Heights. Joseph is the old servant at Wuthering Heights.

Concept: Who Joseph is Joseph is a fanatically self-righteous, Bible-quoting servant. He constantly preaches about damnation and condemns everyone around him, including Catherine, Hareton, Heathcliff and Linton, as sinners headed for hell. He is a harsh, bitter and judgmental man.

Evaluating the options:

• A. Straightforward: Joseph is blunt, but he is not simply honest and direct. He hides selfish motives behind religion. This does not fit.
• B. Hypocritical: This fits. He claims to be deeply devout and morally superior, yet he is: • uncharitable and cruel to the children (he whips and scolds them, and uses religion as a weapon) • greedy and keen to serve Heathcliff, who is hardly a godly master, as long as he keeps his position and benefits • quick to judge others' faults while ignoring his own malice and self-interest

His public piety contradicts his lack of kindness and mercy.

• C. Amiable: He is sour and unfriendly, so this is wrong.
• D. Unserious: He takes his religion and his duties extremely seriously, so this is wrong.

Answer: The correct option is B. hypocritical.

Exam tip: For character questions in literature, match the trait to the contrast between what a character says and what he does. Joseph preaches Christian virtue but shows none of its charity, which is the classic mark of hypocrisy. Also remember his thick Yorkshire dialect and constant scripture quoting, since JAMB often tests him this way.