summary of novel wuthering heights

Chapter 1-3

Mr. Lockwood, the narrator, arrives at Wuthering Heights and becomes intrigued by the mysterious inhabitants. He encounters the surly Heathcliff and the ghostly specter of Catherine Earnshaw.

Chapter 4-7

Nelly Dean, the housekeeper, recounts her experiences at Wuthering Heights and the troubled history of the Earnshaw family. She describes the passionate relationship between Catherine and Heathcliff.

Chapter 8-12

Catherine's marriage to Edgar Linton causes a rift between her and Heathcliff. Heathcliff's vengeful nature becomes increasingly apparent, leading to tragic consequences for the characters.

Chapter 13-16

Heathcliff's mistreatment of Isabella Linton and his manipulation of Hindley Earnshaw further intensify the cycle of revenge and betrayal within the story.

Chapter 17-20

The next generation of characters, including Catherine Linton and Hareton Earnshaw, becomes embroiled in the legacy of their parents' tumultuous relationships, perpetuating the cycle of love and hatred.

• Heathcliff's arrival at Wuthering Heights as a young orphan and his bond with Catherine Earnshaw.
• Catherine's marriage to Edgar Linton and her conflicted feelings for Heathcliff.
• Heathcliff's relentless pursuit of revenge against those who wronged him, leading to tragic outcomes for the characters.
• The intertwining destinies of the next generation, as they grapple with the legacy of their parents' choices.

Theme 1: Love and Obsession

The novel explores the destructive power of obsessive love, as seen in Heathcliff's consuming passion for Catherine, which ultimately leads to tragedy and turmoil.

Theme 2: Social Class and Status

Brontë delves into the societal constraints and prejudices that impact the characters' choices and relationships, highlighting the conflict between passion and social expectations.

Theme 3: Nature and Setting

The untamed landscape of the Yorkshire moors serves as a metaphor for the wild and tumultuous emotions of the characters, emphasizing the inescapable influence of nature on human lives.

Theme 4: Revenge and Retribution

Heathcliff's quest for vengeance exposes the cyclical nature of retribution, as each act of revenge begets further suffering and perpetuates a cycle of destruction.

"Wuthering Heights" offers a compelling exploration of human nature, love, and the consequences of unchecked passion and revenge. The novel's vivid characters and vivid portrayal of the Yorkshire moors create an immersive reading experience that lingers in the reader's mind long after the final page.

Emily Brontë's "Wuthering Heights" is a timeless masterpiece that continues to captivate readers with its intense portrayal of love, betrayal, and the enduring power of the human spirit. Through its rich tapestry of characters and themes, the novel invites readers to contemplate the complexities of human relationships and the profound impact of choices on individual destinies.

Wuthering Heights FAQ

What is the genre of wuthering heights.

Wuthering Heights is a classic novel that falls into the genre of gothic fiction.

Who is the author of Wuthering Heights?

The author of Wuthering Heights is Emily Brontë, who wrote the novel under the pseudonym Ellis Bell.

What is the setting of Wuthering Heights?

The story is primarily set in the moorland of Yorkshire in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

Who are the main characters in Wuthering Heights?

The main characters are Heathcliff, Catherine Earnshaw, Edgar Linton, and Nelly Dean.

What is the plot of Wuthering Heights?

Wuthering Heights follows the passionate and destructive love story between Heathcliff and Catherine, and the impact it has on their families and the next generation.

Is Wuthering Heights a tragic love story?

Yes, Wuthering Heights is often considered a tragic love story due to the tumultuous and destructive nature of the love between Heathcliff and Catherine.

What are the major themes in Wuthering Heights?

Some major themes in Wuthering Heights include love, revenge, social class, and the destructive power of passion.

Is Wuthering Heights a challenging read?

Some readers may find Wuthering Heights challenging due to its complex narrative structure and the dark, brooding nature of the story.

What is the writing style of Wuthering Heights?

Emily Brontë's writing style in Wuthering Heights is characterized by its intense emotional depth and vivid depiction of the natural landscape.

Is Wuthering Heights suitable for young readers?

Due to its mature themes and complex narrative, Wuthering Heights may be more suitable for older or more mature readers.

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Wuthering Heights Book Summary

By emily brontë, wuthering heights.

Wuthering Heights is a wild, passionate tale of love, revenge, and the enduring power of the past. Set against the bleak and rugged Yorkshire moors, it follows the intertwined destinies of two families—the Earnshaws and the Lintons—and the destructive love between Heathcliff, a foundling adopted by the Earnshaws, and Catherine Earnshaw. Their intense bond, thwarted by social class and Catherine’s marriage to Edgar Linton, unleashes a cycle of revenge that spans generations, leaving behind a trail of heartbreak and tragedy.

Table of contents

Author & writing background, the destructive nature of revenge, love and passion, social class and prejudice, the supernatural and the moors, the cycle of abuse, the power of the past, the complexity of human nature, the gothic genre, is wuthering heights a love story, why is wuthering heights considered a classic, is wuthering heights a difficult book to read, wuthering heights quotes.

Emily Brontë was born in Yorkshire, England in 1818. She was the fifth of six children in a literary family; her sisters Charlotte and Anne were also renowned authors. Emily lived a secluded life and published Wuthering Heights under the pen name Ellis Bell in 1847, just a year before her untimely death at the age of 30. Her writing is known for its intensity, its exploration of dark emotions, and its vivid descriptions of the natural world.

Key Takeaways

The novel explores the devastating consequences of revenge, as Heathcliff’s relentless pursuit of vengeance against those he perceives as having wronged him ultimately destroys both himself and those around him.

The intense and passionate love between Heathcliff and Catherine is a central theme, depicted as both a source of great joy and immense suffering.

The rigid social hierarchy of Victorian England and the prejudice against Heathcliff’s unknown origins play a significant role in shaping the characters’ destinies.

The wild and desolate Yorkshire moors serve as a powerful symbol of the untamed emotions and the supernatural elements that permeate the story.

The novel depicts a recurring cycle of abuse, as the characters inflict pain on each other, both physically and emotionally, perpetuating a legacy of suffering.

The past exerts a strong influence over the present, with the consequences of past actions and decisions shaping the lives of the characters.

The characters in Wuthering Heights are complex and multifaceted, defying easy categorization as heroes or villains.

Wuthering Heights exhibits elements of the Gothic genre, including its dark atmosphere, supernatural elements, and exploration of intense emotions.

FAQ about Wuthering Heights

While the novel centers on the intense relationship between Heathcliff and Catherine, it is a complex and unconventional love story, intertwined with themes of revenge, social class, and the destructive power of obsession.

Wuthering Heights is considered a classic due to its enduring themes, its complex characters, its powerful exploration of human emotions, and its unique and atmospheric setting.

The language and structure of Wuthering Heights can be challenging for some readers, but its powerful story and complex characters make it a rewarding reading experience.

• ”He’s more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same."
• "I am Heathcliff! He’s always, always in my mind: not as a pleasure, any more than I am always a pleasure to myself, but as my own being."
• "My love for Linton is like the foliage in the woods: time will change it, I’m well aware, as winter changes the trees. My love for Heathcliff resembles the eternal rocks beneath: a source of little visible delight, but necessary.

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A summary of the novel

A single page synopsis of the story of Wuthering Heights including a single paragraph summary

A Brief Summary

Many people, generally those who have never read the book, consider Wuthering Heights to be a straightforward, if intense, love story — Romeo and Juliet on the Yorkshire Moors. But this is a mistake. Really the story is one of revenge. It follows the life of Heathcliff, a mysterious gypsy-like person, from childhood (about seven years old) to his death in his late thirties. Heathcliff rises in his adopted family and then is reduced to the status of a servant, running away when the young woman he loves decides to marry another. He returns later, rich and educated, and sets about gaining his revenge on the two families that he believed ruined his life.

Chapters 1 to 3

Mr Lockwood, a rich man from the south, has rented Thrushcross Grange in the north of England for peace and recuperation. Soon after arrival, he visits his landlord, Mr Heathcliff, who lives in the remote moorland farmhouse called "Wuthering Heights". He finds the inhabitants of Wuthering Heights to be a strange group: Mr Heathcliff appears a gentleman but his manners and speech suggest otherwise; the mistress of the house is in her late teens, an attractive but reserved, even rude woman; and there is a young man who appears to be one of the family although he dresses and talks like a servant.

Being snowed in, he has to stay the night and is shown to an unused chamber where he finds books and graffiti from a former inhabitant of the farmhouse called "Catherine". When he falls asleep, his dreams are prompted by this person and he has a nightmare where he sees her as a ghost trying to get in through the window. He wakes and is unable to return to sleep so, as soon as the sun rises, he is escorted back to Thrushcross Grange by Heathcliff. There he asks his housekeeper, Ellen Dean, to tell him the story of the family from the Heights.

The Childhood of Heathcliff

Chapters 4 to 17

The story begins thirty years before when the Earnshaw family lived at Wuthering Heights consisting of, as well as the mother and father, Hindley, a boy of fourteen, and six-year-old Catherine, the same person that he had dreamt about and the mother of the present mistress. In that year, Mr Earnshaw travels to Liverpool where he finds a homeless, gypsy-like boy of about seven whom he decides to adopt as his son. He names him "Heathcliff". Hindley, who finds himself excluded from his father's affections by this newcomer, quickly learns to hate him but Catherine grows very attached to him. Soon Heathcliff and Catherine are like twins, spending hours on the moors together and hating every moment apart.

Because of this discord, Hindley is eventually sent to college but he returns, three years later, when Mr Earnshaw dies. With a new wife, Frances, he becomes master of Wuthering Heights and forces Heathcliff to become a servant instead of a member of the family.

Heathcliff and Cathy continue to run wild and, in November, a few months after Hindley's return, they make their way to Thrushcross Grange to spy on the inhabitants. As they watch the childish behaviour of Edgar and Isabella Linton, the children of the Grange, they are spotted and try to escape. Catherine, having been caught by a dog, is brought inside and helped while Heathcliff is sent home.

Five weeks later, Catherine returns to Wuthering Heights but she has now changed, looking and acting as a lady. She laughs at Heathcliff's unkempt appearance and, the next day when the Lintons visit, he dresses up to impress her. It fails when Edgar makes fun of him and they argue. Heathcliff is locked in the attic where, in the evening, Catherine climbs over the roof to comfort him. He vows to get his revenge on Hindley.

In the summer of the next year, Frances gives birth to a child, Hareton, but she dies before the year is out. This leads Hindley to descend into a life of drunkenness and waste.

Two years on and Catherine has become close friends with Edgar, growing more distant from Heathcliff. One day in August, while Hindley is absent, Edgar comes to visit Catherine . She has an argument with Ellen which then spreads to Edgar who tries to leave. Catherine stops him and, before long, they declare themselves lovers.

Later, Catherine talks with Ellen, explaining that Edgar had asked her to marry him and she had accepted. She says that she does not really love Edgar but Heathcliff. Unfortunately she could never marry the latter because of his lack of status and education. She therefore plans to marry Edgar and use that position to help raise Heathcliff's standing. Unfortunately Heathcliff had overheard the first part about not being able to marry him and flees from the farmhouse. He disappears without trace and, after three years, Edgar and Catherine are married.

Six months after the marriage, Heathcliff returns as a gentleman, having grown stronger and richer during his absence. Catherine is delighted to see him although Edgar is not so keen. Isabella, now eighteen, falls madly in love with Heathcliff, seeing him as a romantic hero. He despises her but encourages the infatuation, seeing it as a chance for revenge on Edgar. When he embraces Isabella one day at the Grange, there is a argument with Edgar which causes Catherine to lock herself in her room and fall ill.

Heathcliff has been staying at the Heights, gambling with Hindley and teaching Hareton bad habits. Hindley is gradually losing his wealth, mortgaging the farmhouse to Heathcliff to repay his debts.

While Catherine is ill, Heathcliff elopes with Isabella, causing Edgar to disown his sister. The fugitives marry and return two months later to Wuthering Heights. Heathcliff hears that Catherine is ill and arranges with Ellen to visit her in secret. In the early hours of the day after their meeting, Catherine gives birth to her daughter, Cathy, and then dies.

The day after Catherine's funeral, Isabella flees Heathcliff and escapes to the south of England where she eventually gives birth to Linton, Heathcliff's son. Hindley dies six months after his sister and Heathcliff finds himself the master of Wuthering Heights and the guardian of Hareton.

The Maturity of Heathcliff

Chapters 18 to 31

Twelve years on, Cathy has grown into a beautiful, high-spirited girl who has rarely passed outside the borders of the Grange. Edgar hears that Isabella is dying and leaves to pick up her son with the intention of adopting him. While he is gone, Cathy meets Hareton on the moors and learns of her cousin and Wuthering Heights' existence.

Edgar returns with Linton who is a weak and sickly boy. Although Cathy is attracted to him, Heathcliff wants his son with him and insists on having him taken to the Heights.

Three years later, Ellen and Cathy are on the moors when they meet Heathcliff who takes them to Wuthering Heights to see Linton and Hareton. His plans are for Linton and Cathy to marry so that he would inherit Thrushcross Grange. Cathy and Linton begin a secret and interrupted friendship.

In August of the next year, while Edgar is very ill, Ellen and Cathy visit Wuthering Heights and are held captive by Heathcliff who wants to marry his son to Cathy and, at the same time, prevent her from returning to her father before he dies. After five days, Ellen is released and Cathy escapes with Linton's help just in time to see her father before he dies.

With Heathcliff now the master of both Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange, Cathy has no choice but to leave Ellen and to go and live with Heathcliff and Hareton. Linton dies soon afterwards and, although Hareton tries to be kind to her, she retreats into herself. This is the point of the story at which Lockwood arrives.

After being ill with a cold for some time, Lockwood decides that he has had enough of the moors and travels to Wuthering Heights to inform Heathcliff that he is returning to the south.

Chapters 32 to 34

In September, eight months after leaving, Lockwood finds himself back in the area and decides to stay at Thrushcross Grange (since his tenancy is still valid until October). He finds that Ellen is now living at Wuthering Heights. He makes his way there and she fills in the rest of the story.

Ellen had moved to the Heights soon after Lockwood had left to replace the housekeeper who had departed. In March, Hareton had had an accident and been confined to the farmhouse. During this time, a friendship had developed between Cathy and Hareton. This continues into April when Heathcliff begins to act very strangely, seeing visions of Catherine. After not eating for four days, he is found dead in his room. He is buried next to Catherine.

Lockwood departs but, before he leaves, he hears that Hareton and Cathy plan to marry on New Year's Day.

Wuthering Heights

Emily brontë, ask litcharts ai: the answer to your questions.

Welcome to the LitCharts study guide on Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights . Created by the original team behind SparkNotes, LitCharts are the world's best literature guides.

Wuthering Heights: Introduction

Wuthering heights: plot summary, wuthering heights: detailed summary & analysis, wuthering heights: themes, wuthering heights: quotes, wuthering heights: characters, wuthering heights: symbols, wuthering heights: literary devices, wuthering heights: quizzes, wuthering heights: theme wheel, brief biography of emily brontë.

Historical Context of Wuthering Heights

Other books related to wuthering heights.

• Full Title: Wuthering Heights
• When Published: 1847
• Literary Period: Victorian
• Genre: Romanticism / Realism / Gothic (e.g., mysterious family relationships, vulnerable heroines, houses full of secrets, and wild landscapes)
• Setting: Yorkshire, England, late 18th to early 19th century
• Climax: Heathcliff and Catherine's tearful, impassioned reunion just hours before Catherine gives birth and then dies
• Antagonist: Heathcliff (we root both for and against Heathcliff)
• Point of View: Nelly Dean, a housekeeper, tells the story of the Lintons and Earnshaws to Mr. Lockwood, who passes along her story to the reader.

Extra Credit for Wuthering Heights

The Bronte Family: Two of Emily Brontë's sisters are also respected writers. Charlotte Brontë wrote Jane Eyre , Shirley , Villette , and The Professor , and Anne Brontë wrote Agnes Grey and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall . Because the Brontës collaborated, critics love to analyze the whole family, not just the individual authors. The family also appeals to readers because it experienced so much tragedy: five of the six children died young (four daughters died of tuberculosis, or "consumption," as it was known at the time, and Branwell, the only son, turned to drugs and alcohol when his career as an artist failed).

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• Wuthering Heights Summary of Emily Brontë's Book

Exploring the Heights of Love and Revenge: A Deep Dive into Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights

Detailed summary, final thoughts.

Emily Brontë's only novel, Wuthering Heights, published in 1847, is a timeless classic that has captivated readers for generations. Set against the haunting backdrop of the Yorkshire moors, the novel delves into themes of love, revenge, and the destructive power of obsession. At its core, Wuthering Heights is a tale of passion and betrayal that unfolds through the tumultuous relationships of its unforgettable characters.

Heathcliff: Heathcliff is a brooding and mysterious figure who is brought to Wuthering Heights as a child. His passionate love for Catherine Earnshaw defines much of the novel's plot, and his thirst for revenge drives him to commit heinous acts.

Catherine Earnshaw: Catherine is Heathcliff's childhood companion and true love. Her conflicted feelings for Heathcliff and Edgar Linton set off a chain of events that shape the fate of both families.

Edgar Linton: Edgar is Catherine's husband, a kind-hearted gentleman who is unable to understand the depth of her connection to Heathcliff. His presence adds tension to the love triangle at the heart of the novel.

Isabella Linton: Isabella is Edgar's sister, who falls for Heathcliff's dark allure and becomes entangled in his vengeful schemes.

Hindley Earnshaw: Hindley is Catherine's brother and a character consumed by his own destructive tendencies. His mistreatment of Heathcliff fuels the latter's desire for revenge.

Ellen (Nelly) Dean: Nelly serves as the novel's narrator, recounting the events of Wuthering Heights to Mr. Lockwood. Her perspective offers insight into the complex relationships that drive the story forward.

Mr. Lockwood: Mr. Lockwood is a newcomer to the Yorkshire moors who rents Thrushcross Grange. His interactions with the inhabitants of Wuthering Heights set the stage for the unfolding drama.

Hareton Earnshaw: Hareton is Hindley's son, a character who undergoes significant growth and redemption throughout the novel.

Catherine Linton: Catherine is the daughter of Catherine Earnshaw and Edgar Linton. Her relationships with Heathcliff and Hareton mirror those of her namesake.

Linton Heathcliff: Linton is the sickly son of Heathcliff and Isabella, a character who becomes entangled in his father's schemes.

Wuthering Heights opens with Mr. Lockwood renting Thrushcross Grange from Heathcliff and becoming intrigued by the mysterious figure. Through conversations with Nelly, he learns about the tumultuous history of Wuthering Heights and its inhabitants. The narrative shifts to the past, revealing the childhood bond between Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw.

Heathcliff's arrival at Wuthering Heights as a young boy sparks jealousy and resentment in Hindley, leading to a cycle of abuse and revenge. Catherine's conflicted feelings for both Heathcliff and Edgar Linton drive the narrative forward, culminating in her tragic death. Heathcliff's inability to cope with Catherine's loss fuels his quest for vengeance against those he perceives to have wronged him.

The novel follows the repercussions of Heathcliff's actions on the next generation, as well as his own descent into madness and despair. Themes of love, betrayal, and the destructive nature of obsession are woven throughout the narrative, leading to a dramatic and haunting conclusion.

Wuthering Heights is a complex and multi-layered novel that explores the depths of human emotion and the consequences of unchecked passion. Brontë's vivid prose and haunting imagery bring the Yorkshire moors to life, serving as a fitting backdrop for the tumultuous events that unfold within its pages.

The novel is a study in contrasts, from the wild and untamed nature of Heathcliff to the refined and genteel Edgar Linton. The characters' intertwining relationships and conflicting motivations drive the plot forward, creating a web of love and revenge that is both captivating and tragic.

At its core, Wuthering Heights is a story about the destructive power of obsession and the ways in which love can both uplift and destroy those caught in its grip. Heathcliff's single-minded pursuit of revenge leads to a cycle of violence and despair that ultimately consumes him and those around him.

Through its exploration of themes such as class, jealousy, and the lasting impact of childhood trauma, Wuthering Heights remains a timeless work that continues to resonate with readers today. Brontë's nuanced characterizations and intricate plotting ensure that the novel retains its power to move and unsettle audiences over a century after its initial publication.

To conclude, Wuthering Heights is a classic novel that defies easy categorization, blending elements of romance, tragedy, and Gothic fiction into a haunting and unforgettable tale. Emily Brontë's masterpiece continues to captivate readers with its timeless themes and complex characters. Whether you are a fan of classic literature or simply looking for a story that will stay with you long after you turn the final page, Wuthering Heights remains a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the heights of love and revenge.

To fully experience the magic of Wuthering Heights, we highly recommend picking up a copy of the novel and immersing yourself in Brontë's rich and evocative prose. Alternatively, you can also listen to the audiobook version for a captivating audio experience that will transport you to the windswept moors of Yorkshire. Discover why Wuthering Heights continues to be a beloved classic that stands the test of time.

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Wuthering Heights

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Wuthering Heights , novel by Emily Brontë , published in 1847 under the pseudonym Ellis Bell. This intense, solidly imagined novel is distinguished from other novels of the period by its dramatic and poetic presentation, its abstention from authorial intrusion, and its unusual structure.

The story is recounted by Lockwood, a disinterested party, whose narrative serves as the frame for a series of retrospective shorter narratives by Ellen Dean, a housekeeper. All concern the impact of the foundling Heathcliff on the two families of Earnshaw and Linton in a remote Yorkshire district at the end of the 18th century. Embittered by abuse and by the marriage of Cathy Earnshaw—who shares his stormy nature and whom he loves—to the gentle and prosperous Edgar Linton, Heathcliff plans a revenge on both families, extending into the second generation. Cathy’s death in childbirth fails to set him free from his obsession with her, which persists until his death. The marriage of the surviving heirs of Earnshaw and Linton restores peace.

Literary Theory and Criticism

Home › Literature › Analysis of Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights

Analysis of Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights

By NASRULLAH MAMBROL on March 25, 2019 • ( 3 )

Wuthering Heights is constructed around a series of dialectic motifs that interconnect and unify the elements of setting, character, and plot. An examination of these motifs will give the reader the clearest insight into the central meaning of the novel. Although Wuthering Heights is a “classic,” as Frank Kermode has noted, precisely because it is open to many different critical methods and conducive to many levels of interpretation, the novel grows from a coherent imaginative vision that underlies all the motifs. That vision demonstrates that all human perception is limited and failed. The fullest approach to Emily Brontë’s novel is through the basic patterns that support this vision.

Wuthering Heights concerns the interactions of two families, the Earnshaws and Lintons, over three generations. The novel is set in the desolate moors of Yorkshire and covers the years from 1771 to 1803. The Earnshaws and Lintons are in harmony with their environment, but their lives are disrupted by an outsider and catalyst of change, the orphan Heathcliff. Heathcliff is, first of all, an emblem of the social problems of a nation entering the age of industrial expansion and urban growth. Although Brontë sets the action of the novel entirely within the locale familiar to her, she reminds the reader continually of the contrast between that world and the larger world outside.

Aside from Heathcliff’s background as a child of the streets and the description of urban Liverpool, from which he is brought, the novel contains other reminders that Yorkshire, long insulated from change and susceptible only to the forces of nature, is no longer as remote as it once was. The servant Joseph’s religious cant, the class distinctions obvious in the treatment of Nelly Dean as well as of Heathcliff, and Lockwood’s pseudosophisticated urban values are all reminders that Wuthering Heights cannot remain as it has been, that religious, social, and economic change is rampant. Brontë clearly signifies in the courtship and marriage of young Cathy and Hareton that progress and enlightenment will come and the wilderness will be tamed. Heathcliff is both an embodiment of the force of this change and its victim. He brings about a change but cannot change himself. What he leaves behind, as Lockwood attests and the relationship of Cathy and Hareton verifies, is a new society, at peace with itself and its environment.

It is not necessary, however, to examine in depth the Victorian context of Wuthering Height s to sense the dialectic contrast of environments. Within the limited setting that the novel itself describes, society is divided between two opposing worlds: Wuthering Heights, ancestral home of the Earnshaws, and Thrushcross Grange, the Linton estate. Wuthering Heights is rustic and wild; it is open to the elements of nature and takes its name from “atmospheric tumult.” The house is strong, built with narrow windows and jutting cornerstones, fortified to withstand the battering of external forces. It is identified with the outdoors and nature and with strong, “masculine” values. Its appearance, both inside and out, is wild, untamed, disordered, and hard. The Grange expresses a more civilized, controlled atmosphere. The house is neat and orderly, and there is always an abundance of light—to Brontë’s mind, “feminine” values. It is not surprising that Lockwood is more comfortable at the Grange, since he takes pleasure in “feminine” behavior (gossip, vanity of appearance, adherence to social decorum, romantic self-delusion), while Heathcliff, entirely “masculine,” is always out of place there.

Even Cathy’s passionate cry for Heathcliff, “Nelly, I am Heathcliff,” is less love for him as an individual than the deepest form of self-love. Cathy cannot exist without him, but a meaningful relationship is not possible because Cathy sees Heathcliff only as a reflection of herself. Heathcliff, too, has denied an important aspect of his personality. Archetypally masculine, Heathcliff acts out only the aggressive, violent parts of himself.

The settings and the characters are patterned against each other, and explosions are the only possible results. Only Hareton and young Cathy, each of whom embodies the psychological characteristics of both Heights and Grange, can successfully sustain a mutual relationship.

This dialectic structure extends into the roles of the narrators as well. The story is reflected through the words of Nelly Dean—an inmate of both houses, a participant in the events of the narrative, and a confidant of the major characters—and Lockwood, an outsider who witnesses only the results of the characters’ interactions. Nelly is a companion and servant in the Earnshaw and Linton households, and she shares many of the values and perceptions of the families. Lockwood, an urban sophisticate on retreat, misunderstands his own character as well as the characters of others. His brief romantic “adventure” in Bath and his awkwardness when he arrives at the Heights (he thinks Cathy will fall in love with him; he mistakes the dead rabbits for puppies) exemplify his obtuseness. His perceptions are always to be questioned. Occasionally, however, even a denizen of the conventional world may gain a glimpse of the forces at work beneath the surface of reality. Lockwood’s dream of the dead Cathy, which sets off his curiosity and Heathcliff’s final plans, is a reminder that even the placid, normal world may be disrupted by the psychic violence of a willful personality.

The presentation of two family units and parallel brother-sister, husband-wife relationships in each also emphasizes the dialectic. That two such opposing modes of behavior could arise in the same environment prevents the reader from easy condemnation of either pair. The use of flashback for the major part of the narration—it begins in medias res—reminds the reader that he or she is seeing events out of their natural order, recounted by two individuals whose reliability must be questioned. The working out of the plot over three generations further suggests that no one group, much less one individual, can perceive the complexity of the human personality.

Taken together, the setting, plot, characters, and structure combine into a whole when they are seen as parts of the dialectic nature of existence. In a world where opposing forces are continually arrayed against each other in the environment, in society, in families, and in relationships, as well as within the individual, there can be no easy route to perception of another human soul. Wuthering Heights convincingly demonstrates the complexity of this dialectic and portrays the limitations of human perception.

Bibliography Barnard, Robert. Emily Brontë. New York: Oxford University Press, 2000. Benvenuto, Richard. Emily Brontë. Boston: Twayne, 1982. Berg, Maggie. “Wuthering Heights”: The Writing in the Margin. New York: Twayne, 1996. Davies, Stevie. Emily Brontë: Heretic. London: Women’s Press, 1994. Frank, Katherine. A Chainless Soul: A Life of Emily Brontë. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1990. Glen, Heather, ed. The Cambridge Companion to the Brontës. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2002. Liddell, Robert. Twin Spirits: The Novels of Emily and Anne Brontë. London: Peter Owen, 1990. Miller, Lucasta. The Brontë Myth. London: Jonathan Cape, 2001. Pykett, Lyn. Emily Brontë. Savage, Md.: Barnes & Noble, 1989. Rollyson, Carl, and Lisa Paddock. The Brontës A to Z: The Essential Reference to Their Lives and Work. New York: Facts On File, 2003. Vine, Steve. Emily Brontë. New York: Twayne, 1998. Winnifrith, Tom, ed. Critical Essays on Emily Brontë. NewYork: G. K. Hall, 1997.

Major works Poetry: Poems by Currer, Ellis, and Acton Bell, 1846 (with Charlotte Brontë and Anne Brontë); The Complete Poems of Emily Jane Brontë, 1941 (C. W. Hatfield, editor); Gondal’s Queen: A Novel in Verse by Emily Jane Brontë, 1955 (Fannie E. Ratchford, editor). Nonfiction : Five Essays Written in French, 1948 (Lorine White Nagel, translator); The Brontë Letters, 1954 (Muriel Spark, editor).

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Tags: Analysis of Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights , Character Study of Catherine Earnshaw , Character Study of Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights , Character Study of Heathcliff , Character Study of Lockwood , Character Study of Nelly Dean , Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights , Frank Kermode , Gothic Literature , Literary Criticism , Literary Theory , Motifs in Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights , Nelly Dean , Study Guide of Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights , Summary of Analysis of Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights , Summary of Wuthering Heights , Themes of Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights , Victorian Literature , Wuthering Heights , Wuthering Heights as a Gothic Novel

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I found it very informative. Representation of the two worlds is amazing. Thanks a lot.

VERY NICE;I LIKED THE WAY OF ANALYSIS OF WHOLE NOVEL AND DESCRIBE EVERY THING,

• Wuthering Heights: A Journey from the Novel to the Movie - Different Truths

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• Wuthering Heights: Summary, Characters, Analysis

The novel Wuthering Heights has a very complex storyline and the characters involved are also quite intricate. The story takes place in northern England in an isolated, rural area. The main characters involved are residents of two opposing households: Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange.

It is a tale of a powerful love between two people, which transcends all boundaries, including that between life and death. The author, Emily Bronte, used parallelism in this novel. Much of what happens in the first half of the story corresponds to events in the second half.

This parallelism extends also to the characters; the first generation of characters is comparable to the second generation. Some might argue that these characters are duplicates of each other and that they share many traits. This is not the case for Catherine Earnshaw and Cathy Linton, a mother and her daughter. These two characters are different in numerous aspects of their personalities and lifestyles.

Catherine Earnshaw and Cathy Linton differ a great deal when it comes to their family life. Catherine’s father did not love her because she was forever misbehaving. He once told her “Nay Cathy, I cannot love thee; thou’rt worse than thy brother. Go, say thy prayers, child, and ask god’s pardon.

I doubt thy mother and I must rue the day we ever reared thee!” (1) In relating the tale to Lockwood, Nelly noted that young Catherine was such a “wild, wicked slip” (Bronte, pg. 37) that she never seemed as content as when she was being scolded. Catherine also treated her brother Hindley poorly.

As a child, she neglected him in favor of Heathcliff. As an adult, Catherine made no effort to help Hindley with his drinking problem after Frances died, nor did she try and prevent Heathcliff from taking advantage of Hindley. Cathy Linton, on the other hand, enjoyed a very loving atmosphere at Thrushcross Grange. She and her father, Edgar, were very fond of each other.

Edgar was anxious to protect her from the twisted world of Wuthering Heights. Cathy demonstrated her love for her father when she devoted herself to nursing him during his illness. Cathy never had any siblings, but she wished that she had one. She once said, “Pretty Linton! I wish you were my brother.” (Bronte, pg. 219) The reader is certain that if Cathy had a brother they would have been very close.

Catherine Earnshaw was an intensely emotional character. From the time she was a child, she made choices based on her urges and feelings, and would become irritated if her will was not maintained. One time she became violently abusive when Nelly insisted on supervising her visit with Edgar.

She pinched and slapped Nelly, shook Hareton when he began to cry and then slapped Edgar when he attempted to intervene. This sort of unstable emotional state made Catherine very frail she often became ill after an outburst. Following an argument she had with Heathcliff and Edgar, she became very ill and eventually died.

It could be argued that her tendency for passionate outbursts drained the life from her. Cathy Linton was much more sensible than her mother was. She was able to effectively control her emotions at all times, even during confrontations with her tormentor Heathcliff, and remained strong and grounded throughout the novel.

At no point was she abusive, except perhaps in her initial treatment of Hareton. The differences in the emotional character of Catherine and Cathy could be explained in the fact that Cathy did not experience a relationship like the torrential love affair Catherine had with Heathcliff. It was this relationship that was the root of all the tragedy in Catherine’s life.

Heathcliff played a dominant role in both halves of Wuthering Heights and he interacted with both Catherine and Cathy. However, they had very different relationships with him. Catherine and Heathcliff were deeply in love with each other and had been soul mates ever since childhood. Heathcliff often evoked powerful emotions from Catherine, and their encounters often left Catherine in emotional chaos.

Cathy did not like Heathcliff and he did not like her. Edgar and Nelly informed Cathy of Heathcliff’s terrible history and negative impact on her family. Once she moved into Wuthering Heights and lived with Heathcliff, Cathy was transformed from a bright, cheerful young girl into the sullen, foul-tempered person Lockwood meets during his first visit to the Heights.

Heathcliff saw Cathy as the cause of her mother’s death and she represented Catherine’s betrayal of their love. Cathy inspired many feelings of rage from Heathcliff. For instance, when she accused him of stealing her property he burst out “Damnable witch! Off with her! Do you hear? Fling her into the kitchen! I’ll kill her, Ellen Dean, if you let her come into my sight again!” (Bronte, pg. 292)

The mother and her daughter had contrasting views and experiences when it came to love and marriage. Catherine was desperately attached to Heathcliff and the love they shared was the most powerful force in the novel. Catherine did not want to marry Heathcliff, though, because she felt it would degrade her. This displays Catherine’s pride and ego, which led to her choice of Edgar for a husband.

This union was not built on true love, but on Catherine’s desire to have money, power and respect. In comparison, Cathy was forced into marrying Linton, with whom she would have rather had a brother–sister bond. Heathcliff forced this marriage because he wanted the property and assets that she was heir to. Cathy eventually fell in love with Hareton, despite the fact that he was a dirty, illiterate farm laborer. Unlike her mother, Cathy wanted to marry for love, not money or power. This is obvious because Hareton is poor and could offer neither.

Nelly Dean was another character who played an important role throughout the entire novel and had close relationships with both Catherine Earnshaw and her daughter Cathy. Catherine grew up with Nelly and since Nelly was several years older, Catherine treated her rather like a big sister. She often came to Nelly with problems, but Nelly did not show a great deal of concern for them because she had developed a dislike for Catherine because of her cruel, selfish actions.

When Catherine came to her looking for advice about marrying Edgar, Nelly questioned her motives and put her down for being materialistic. Nelly had a huge impact on the lives of both girls. She would have altered the unfortunate path of Catherine’s life if she had told her that Heathcliff had overheard her say that it would degrade her to marry him. Cathy Linton had a better relationship with Nelly and the two were very fond of each other. Nelly was like a mother to Cathy and was her constant companion during her childhood.

Cathy trusted Nelly and told her many personal things. On several occasions, though, Nelly revealed these secrets to Edgar, who was reasonably upset about his daughter’s deceits, like when he learned of Cathy’s frequent, unpermitted visits to see Linton at Wuthering Heights. It could be argued that Nelly betrayed Cathy’s trust in order to protect her from Heathcliff and Wuthering Heights. Nelly’s sweet, innocent mistress may have been corrupted by too much exposure to such unsavory elements.

The characters of Catherine Earnshaw and her daughter Cathy Linton were different in numerous aspects of their personalities and lifestyles. They had very different family lives.  Much of Catherine’s character was based on emotions while Cathy is much more restrained. Heathcliff and Nelly both had relationships with the women, but these relationships were very distinct and often in contrast.

Catherine and Cathy had opposing views on love and dissimilar experiences with marriage. Although the two characters never had a relationship, as one died giving birth to the other, it seemed as if Cathy had learned from her mother’s mistakes and successfully avoided the same tragedies. This was accomplished mainly by recognizing Heathcliff as a monster.

Cathy could never be completely at rest after Heathcliff and the world of Wuthering Heights was introduced into her life. It was in this same world, strangely, that Catherine Earnshaw had rejoiced, which perhaps the most striking difference between mother and daughter. Heathcliff was at the same time the source of joy and the cause of pain in Catherine’s life. Perhaps their love was so powerful that it could only be contained within the realm of the dead.

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Whispers of the Moors: the Eerie Echoes of Passion in Wuthering Heights

This essay explores the influence of the supernatural in Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights, examining how ghostly elements shape the characters and their actions. It highlights the eerie connection between Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw, suggesting that their intense love transcends the physical realm. The essay also considers Heathcliff’s revenge as driven by a spectral force, impacting multiple generations within the novel. Additionally, it discusses the role of the moors as a haunting backdrop that mirrors the characters’ inner turmoil. By reimagining the novel through a supernatural lens, the essay offers a unique perspective on the interplay of love, revenge, and the eerie atmosphere that defines Wuthering Heights.

How it works

In the windswept corners of the Yorkshire moors, where nature’s raw power mirrors the untamed emotions of its inhabitants, Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights unfolds as a haunting tale of love and vengeance. But what if we ventured beyond its traditional interpretation, exploring how the spectral atmosphere of the moors shapes the very essence of the characters? This unique perspective delves into the ghostly influences that permeate the novel, blending the supernatural with the raw human passions that drive the narrative.

The story, as recounted by Mr. Lockwood and the housekeeper Nelly Dean, is steeped in an aura of mystery and the supernatural. The isolated setting of Wuthering Heights itself feels like a character, its bleak and foreboding presence echoing the turbulent emotions of those who dwell within. Heathcliff, the enigmatic and brooding anti-hero, seems almost a ghost himself, haunting the lives of those around him with his relentless quest for revenge.

From the moment Heathcliff is brought to Wuthering Heights by Mr. Earnshaw, there is an air of otherworldliness about him. His origins are shrouded in mystery, and his intense connection with Catherine Earnshaw transcends the physical realm. Catherine’s famous declaration, “I am Heathcliff,” suggests a bond that defies earthly limitations, hinting at a deeper, perhaps supernatural, connection. Their love, fierce and all-consuming, is as much a spectral presence as it is a tangible reality, lingering in the moors long after Catherine’s death.

Catherine herself becomes a ghostly figure, her presence felt keenly by Heathcliff even after she is gone. The scene where Heathcliff implores her spirit to haunt him is one of the most poignant in the novel, illustrating his inability to let go and the depth of his obsession. This spectral element adds a layer of complexity to Heathcliff’s character, making him not just a man driven by revenge, but one tormented by an unyielding love that refuses to die.

The theme of revenge in Wuthering Heights takes on an eerie dimension when viewed through the lens of the supernatural. Heathcliff’s actions are driven by more than just human malice; they are propelled by a spectral force that compels him to exact vengeance on those he believes have wronged him. His treatment of Hindley Earnshaw, Isabella Linton, and even his own son, Linton Heathcliff, is marked by a relentless, almost supernatural, cruelty. It is as if he is possessed by the spirit of vengeance, unable to escape its grasp.

The younger generation, too, is caught in this spectral web of vengeance. Catherine Linton and Hareton Earnshaw, despite their initial animosity, find themselves drawn together, echoing the tragic love of their predecessors. Their eventual union suggests a breaking of the curse that has haunted Wuthering Heights, a glimmer of hope in an otherwise dark and eerie tale. This resolution, however, does not entirely dispel the ghostly presence that lingers in the moors, hinting that the echoes of the past can never truly be silenced.

Nature itself plays a spectral role in Wuthering Heights, its wild and untamed beauty reflecting the inner turmoil of the characters. The moors are a place where the boundaries between the living and the dead blur, where the howling wind carries whispers of lost loves and unfulfilled desires. Brontë’s vivid descriptions of the landscape evoke a sense of the sublime, where the natural world is both a source of awe and terror. This connection between nature and the supernatural deepens the novel’s exploration of human emotions, making the setting an integral part of the story’s eerie charm.

The multi-layered narrative structure of Wuthering Heights enhances its spectral quality, with different narrators providing fragmented and often contradictory accounts of the same events. This technique creates a sense of disorientation, as readers are left to piece together the truth from unreliable sources. It is as if the story itself is a ghost, elusive and ever-shifting, refusing to be pinned down to a single interpretation. This narrative ambiguity adds to the novel’s haunting atmosphere, inviting readers to explore its depths and uncover the hidden truths that lie within.

In reimagining Wuthering Heights through the lens of the supernatural, we gain a deeper appreciation for the novel’s intricate layers and the complex interplay of love and revenge. Brontë’s portrayal of the spectral elements that permeate the story enhances its timeless appeal, offering a unique perspective on the enduring power of human emotions. The moors, with their haunting beauty, serve as a fitting backdrop for this tale of passion and vengeance, where the living and the dead are forever entwined.

Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights remains a masterful exploration of the darker aspects of love, its ghostly echoes resonating through the ages. By blending the supernatural with the raw human experiences of its characters, the novel transcends its time, inviting readers to confront the eerie and the sublime in their own lives. The spectral presence that haunts the moors serves as a reminder that some loves, and some hatreds, are so profound that they can never truly be laid to rest.

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PapersOwl.com. (2024). Whispers of the Moors: The Eerie Echoes of Passion in Wuthering Heights . [Online]. Available at: https://papersowl.com/examples/whispers-of-the-moors-the-eerie-echoes-of-passion-in-wuthering-heights/ [Accessed: 1-Jul-2024]

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