THEMES

which is regarding the evils during the Victorian era highlighted in the novel, the very first sub theme is
gender inequality in which Catherine out of social norms marries Edgar Linton even though her love for
Heathcliff is far greater than her affection for Edgar. This brings to the forefront on the unwritten norms
established in the minds of a woman right from her birth that a man with wealth & education can be the
only one eligible for being her husband rather than the one her heart truly craves for. Even Cathy was a
bit hostile towards Hareton owing to his lack of education. As it is affixed in the mind of a woman; right
from her birth that monetary security is the only criteria for marriage. Heathcilff's brutal treatment of
his wife also confirms that gender inequality has been persistent since centuries. Fearing her
husband; Isabella runs away as this also brings to the forefront that a woman after marriage
becomes the property of her husband and she has nowhere to hide for cover rather than finding a place
of her own. So it can be said that female characters of this play depict a whole picture of woman's
nature in general (Oda, 2010). The next thing which leads to another evil activity is revenge,
paying back of revenge by Heathcliff to Hindley and his son Hareton. Heathcliff after returning back to
Wuthering Heights gets in contact with Hindley only to make him fall into debt and by taking his land as
a mortgage for the money he has been lending to Hareton; so that he spends more money on alcohol
& gambling and destroys his self and at the end Heathcliff can get to inherit all the property of
Hareton. Heathcliff also shows his revenge by teaching Hareton undesirable habits, in this way he takes
his revenge from not only Hindley but also from his son Hareton. This degree of revenge is very
large in comparison to the other degrees of revenge because Heathcliff tries to destroy the family tree
of Hindley; which his action and intentions clearly highlight to us. Hence the madness of revenge gives a
way to the aesthetic and psychological power as it supports the story of the novel and its main
characters (Vargish, 1971). Another sub kind of evils is corruption. When Heathcliff runs away from
Wuthering Heights for 3 years and in this 3 year span, he amazes wealth by illegal means which brings
down the morale of the novel by many basis points. It also teaches that one can become rich in a short
span of time by resorting to illegal means which in itself is against the society as a whole. Corruption not
only hurts a single person, but it hurts the whole society at large and hence the gravity of the crime is
larger compared to the other crimes committed against an individual. But on the other hand, Muller
(2012) believes that Heathcliff is not corrupt by birth, but he is cheated by Catherine. So he now
does not care about anything because he has to take revenge. In the very beginning of the novel
Heathcliff’s racial color is portrayed in a manner which is much likely to change the mindset of a child
reading the novel. Also the initial reaction of Hindley towards Heathcliff owing to his racial color
further highlights the situation of racial apartheid that was rampant during those days. Racism is a form
of violence which comes under both physical and mental violence. This also brings out to the foremost
one among the many evil aspects of the novel, which is portrayed in a sublime manner. Althubaiti,
(2015) points out that all struggles in the play are just because of racism. He argues that the whole
society of England was the core center of all social, political, economical, cultural and racial conflicts.
And the character of Heathcliff is victim of these conditions. He grows up like a slave and is left alone by
his love just because of his low position and status in the society. Another aspect of social evils that has
been uncovered in Wuthering Height is alcohol addiction. It ruined the life of Hindley which was further
exploited by Heathcliff. In fact Heathcliff taught Hareton all the bad habits in which alcoholism and
gambling would have definitely formed a part of his teaching. Hindley was so much into gambling that
he lost all his property and finally died Jassim, (2006) believes that it was Heathcliff, who taught Hareton
to misbehave with his father. In other words Heathcliff had to take revenge from the family of Hindley,
so first he made both the son and father addict of alcohols and gambling then he destroyed the respect
of parents in the eyes of Hindleys’ son. The evil of physical abuse can also be observed in the novel. The
example that can be incited here is the degrading treatment of Hindley towards Heathcliff during their
childhood. This shows that the owner or employer has full rights over the fundamental rights of an
individual employed under him/her. This has been an eye opener for the various constitutions of the
world to bring in labor reform laws. Also the physical abuse by Heathcliff towards his wife Isabella and
his son Linton is to be noted here. So Hassan, (2008) thinks that Heathcliff is even worst then the beasts
because he pays back the same cruelty, physical abuse and unkindness to others that he had been paid
by his masters. In the same way Saleh, (n.d) argues that Heathcliff behaves like an insane because he
was abused and neglected in the past. Since his birth to adulthood, he has been facing social injustice
and inequality, so now from his point of view all people to him are tasteless. Because of this reason,
elements of anger and abuse can be found in his personality in adulthood. Hatred & selfishness
expressed between various characters in the novel; make the novel more satanic. Even Joseph, who is a
worker at Wuthering Heights, lacks the slightest drop of kindness or humanity. All the characters,
including the main characters are portrayed as persons without any love. Selfishness is also fully visible
in the novel. Mr. Earnshaw’s love towards his adopted son makes his wife and son turn red cheek.
Out of selfishness Hindley mistreats Heathcliff throughout his childhood, which prompts Heathcliff to
exhibit his wrath on Hindley when the tide was on his side. Catherine in the want of monetary security
selfishly marries Edgar instead of Heathcliff. Heathcliff in the want of acquiring the property of
Wuthering Heights detains Cathy and makes her marry his son. A slow poison of making the reader
more self-oriented slowly happens throughout the novel. Betrayal and lack of trust between the various
characters is also gradually induced in the novel as slow venom. After Heathcliff gets to meet Hindley
after a span of 3 years; he plots to destroy Hindley in an unconventional fashion. In fact Isabella is used
as a coin by Heathcliff to destroy Edgar Linton. Isabella gets betrayed by Heathcliff and she finally ends
up in the hands of an abusive husband. Each and every stage of the novel makes the reader thing that if
one has to survive, then the betrayal of trusted ones is of no problem.

Obsession of Heathcliff on Catherine turns out to be the unquenchable fuel for all the flames
throughout the novel. Since Heathcliff looked at Catherine as his own property and was more possessive
on her; he not able to marry her turned the novel into an evil one. Even after Catherine’s death;
ironically, his obsession towards her grows leaps and bounds which makes him starve for days and end
his life by himself. Once a human being is objectified and looked possessively upon, then it takes ugly
turns if the one who is possessive is not able to get what he/she wants. This mad obsession made
Heathcliff to take revenge on all; no matter how serious implication they inflicted on others.
Selfishness is not only the element of the nature of Heathcliff but it can be observed in the deeds of
Catherine. Kurspahić, (2012) says that when Catherine has to select her life partner, she chooses Edgar
by rejecting his beloved Heathcliff. The result of this mistake is very much tragic and due to her
foolishness all other characters suffer badly.

So the RQ#1 can be concluded in this way that above all discussed sub themes are all the evil aspects of
the novel. The novel makes the reader to think; is this work of a normal human being or is it the work of
Satan? Many famous authors have poured in their criticism during all eras. In one final say it can be said
that the whole novel has been an evil effect not only for an individual but to the society as a whole. This
also serves as a caution for society on what not to do. Now, as far as RQ#2 is concerned, it can be
discussed in this way that among the many themes of this classy novel Wuthering Heights “Revenge’’
theme appears to be stand more prominent, and this character leads the protagonists to their
fateful destiny. Bronte actually portrays “revenge” something as chaotic feeling and one which
renders the avenger with sleepless nights and doomed eternity, something which is more devastating
than the actual wrong being done. In this novel Bronte has not so strictly adhered to the guidelines of
the genre, though the novel is a romance, but the love of Catherine and Heathcliff would have
been a mediocre love story without the involvement of the revenge theme so this theme actually gives
power pact plot. By analyzing this theme we can scan the psyche of Heathcliff where being unable to get
the woman he loves, he diverts his attention to avenge his childhood tormentor, the foster brother
Hindley. Heathcliff aka a gypsy grows up so enthusiasts to destroy Hindley and so cruelly as well as
intelligently becomes master of the two hours. This thing gives opportunity to Heathcliff to demean
Hindley every time.

So we can safely say this very desire to take revenge becomes the driving force of the story otherwise
Heathcliff would have been no more than an average hero seeking for his love. Though Heathcliff
never actually finds peace through revenge, he only achieves happiness when he gives up his feelings
and decision for taking revenge. “Revenge is like biting a dog that bit you. ’This quote states the
Heathcliff’s immature desire to propagate agony for those who offended him. As far as Catherine
is concerned things were no better for her as well. Her revenging feelings for Heathcliff by blaming
him for impending death do not calm her mind. Before dying, she describes Heathcliff for her murder.
“You have killed me and thriven on it; I think”. The way Heathcliff and Catherine revenge were the
reason for this misery similarly Hindley’s revenge on Heathcliff causes him bankruptcy and he finally
dies, sadly though. Hindley’s attempt to murder Heathcliff was the only reason to like a sufferer. And it
can be put accurately in the words of Isabella. Treachery and violence are spears pointed at both ends,
they would those who resort to them worse than their enemies. Hindley’s predicaments are result of his
own fault his grief can be understood, but sympathy for him is short lived, he loses Wuthering
Heights to Heathcliff and this shows revenge does not make anything better. Bronte wants to show
that revenge is not only something which is rash and harsh, but it’s something that is neither productive
not beneficial. Thus, the revenge theme stands at the peak point among all others. This proves revenge
is only responsible for self-hurt where we can solve the conflicts in better ways. Bronte despises the
concept of revenge, showing how negative and devastating it can be. There is no good obeying your
instincts of a negative impulse, the revenge feeling of both Heathcliff and Hindley ultimately leads to
their downfall, destroying whatever they love, whatever the reason revenge can’t be justified.

CONCLUSION Wuthering Heights presents us with a twofold aspect life. We can safely propose that
novel is an elemental struggle between good and evil, the world of darkness versus world of light. These
contradictory aspects can be categorized as chaos and calm. And it can be claimed that these two
elements are not in contradiction but is a balance to establish the cosmic order of the universe.
Wuthering Heights is the story of Love and Revenge, where Heathcliff the protagonist is brought in to
the Earn’s family, but his evil designs proceeds the story forward and his death marks the conclusion of
the novel. He was himself responsible for his destruction, though he did love Catherine deeply, but it
could be considered as a tortured love. His character is seen as a nightmarish representation of fears
about self-making which has exceeded so far. As it is rightly said that to gain self-awareness, is
important to study the human nature. Emily’s deep understanding of human nature is clearly
manifested in her novel and she has portrayed that the essence of human nature is selfish and cruel. The
story tries to draw the line between neutral self-love and harmful selfishness. The character of hero in
the novel has a wild spirit and tendency towards violence which are very much visible through his
desire for Catherine’s love and his need for revenge

Wuthering Heights Juxtaposition of Two Generations

Growing up, children encounter many things that shape their psychological development. Parents
constitute the most prominent of these influences. But whether the development results from direct
parental stimuli or indirect heredity is dubious, however some correlation definitely exists. While some
children respond to their parents by mimicking them, others respond by retaliating and acting opposite
as they were raised. In the latter case, the retaliation can sometimes result from a lack of attention, or
separated parents, where one raises the child to loathe the other. Although the first generation of
Wuthering Heights did not play an integral role in the physical upbringing of their children, the second
generation still develops their personalities in response to their parents’ limited influence. This
responsive development manifests within the characters of Linton, Hareton, and Cathy. Admittedly,
Catherine, Heathcliff, and Hindley, aren’t the soccer moms of today. Heathcliff does not even meet his
son Linton until grown, only then because his mother Isabella dies. Because of paternal rights, Heathcliff
gains custody of Linton. When Linton prepares to meet his father for the first time, he questions Nelly:
“’And what is my father like? Is he as young and handsome as uncle?’ ’He’s as young,’ she replies, ’but
he has black hair and eyes, and looks sterner, and he is taller and bigger altogether.’…’Black hair and
eyes!’ mused Linton. ‘I can’t fancy him. Then I am not much like him, am I?’”(Bronte 152). Upon meeting
his son, Heathcliff observes him as weak, sickly, and high strung, which strongly contrasts with ursine
Heathcliff. Their contradictory personalities ultimately lead to a cold, empty relationship between father
and son. Hindley’s son, Hareton, although brought up by his father after his mother dies during
childbirth, later suffers the loss of his father also. Newly orphaned, Hareton falls into the hands of
Heathcliff, who revels in the opportunity to take out his revenge on Hindley through his son, exclaiming
to the boy, “’Now, my bonny lad, you are mine! And we’ll see if one tree won’t grow as crooked as
another, with the same wind to twist it!’”(131). Finally, Catherine’s daughter Cathy, born “a puny, seven
month’s children; and two hours after, the mother died, having never recovered sufficient consciousness
to miss Heathcliff, or know Edgar” (121), relies solely on her father, Edgar to raise her. The complete
absence of Catherine on her life allows her to avoid constant turmoil associated with her deceased
mother. In the cases of all of the children, the limited interaction with their parents from Wuthering
Heights enables them to grow into more mature beings, because “the tortured first generation of
Wuthering Heights fail to develop a mature understanding of themselves and others- in fact, Catherine
and Heathcliff actually shrink from full participation in adult life, regressing into the adolescent
preoccupation with self and the desperate need to feel loved”(Federico, 1).“’ But why have I never
heard of him before?’ asked Linton. ’Why didn’t mamma and he live together, as other people do?’”
(Bronte, 151). Having been raised by his mother Isabella alone, who desired to keep him away from his
father, Linton grew up a refined, gentle boy. Upon Isabella’s death, however, he finally came to know his
father Heathcliff, whom he previously knew nothing of. “’Do you know me’ asked Heathcliff…’No!’ said
Linton…’You’ve heard of me, I dare say?’…’No,’ he replied again. ‘No? What a shame of your mother,
never to waken your filial regard for me! You are my son, then, I’ll tell you; and your mother was a
wicked slut to leave you in ignorance of the sort of father you possessed’”(153). Early on, Heathcliff
insured that Linton would suffer and serve only as a means for revenge by “reversing the golden rule, he
does to his son, Linton, what Hindley had tried to do to him. His words even echo those used earlier to
describe him, as he calls Linton ‘my property,’ ‘it’ (Shapiro, 5). Despite Heathcliff’s attempts to turn
Linton into a little version of him, Linton remains a product of his mother’s upbringing, which increases
Heathcliff’s abhorrence of the boy, for he already had “an antipathy to the sound of his voice, and could
not do at all with his sitting in the same room with him many minutes together”(Bronte, 155). Only
when Heathcliff realizes the use Linton has for getting revenge on Edgar Linton through Cathy does he
begin to foster a paternal attitude. Cathy’s love for Linton spurs from his needy attitude, which resulted
from his father’s neglect. Seeing the human side of Linton, they start their romance, which was “typical
of the adolescent absorption with romantic notions, and the fact that the relationship was taboo made
it all the more alluring” (Federico, 4). Cathy’s devotion to Linton never dies until he does. Even though
forced to marry Linton, Cathy stays with him, “prepared to accept the consequences of her situation by
loving Linton in spite of Heathcliff” (4). In his romantic endeavors, Linton proved superior to his father,
for he found the true affection his father desperately yearned for. The next of the unfortunate orphans,
Hareton Earnshaw never experienced real love while growing up. Raised by his father Hindley, whose
only passions were drinking and seeking revenge, Hareton grew up to be like the one person his father
truly hated: Heathcliff. Having been put into the same situation his father placed Heathcliff into at his
age; Hareton grew into “a gentler version of his oppressor and foster father, Heathcliff. Though
Heathcliff does his best to make Hareton a tool of his revenge against the first Catherine’s brother
Hindley Earnshaw, he succeeds instead in creating a reproduction of himself” (Woodford, 3). Even
though Heathcliff realizes the parallelism between he and Hareton, he still “Brutalizes Hareton, as he
was brutalized by Hindley, by cutting him off from ordinary humanity and denying him an education. He
is even more monstrous then Hindley, however, because he realizes what he is doing” (Shapiro, 5).
While living under Heathcliff, Hareton develops a defensive attitude as protection against
embarrassment. Nelly remarked, “I perceived he was very sensitive to suspected slights, and had
obviously a dim notion of his inferiority” (Bronte, 161). This inferiority sprung mostly from his inability to
read, especially when confronted about it directly. “Hareton stared up, and scratched his head like a
true clown. ‘It’s some damnable writing,’ he answered. ‘I cannot read it.’ ‘Can’t read it?’ cried Catherine.
‘I can read it…It’s English…but I want to know, why is it there’”(162). Already embarrassing situations
were made worse by the constant taunting of Linton. In regard to Linton and Hareton’s relationship,
Nelly remarked, “Hareton is not bad-natured, though he’s rough- they’re sure to part, one swearing, the
other crying” (156). Despite all of the hostility and negativity surrounding him, Hareton manages to
transcend his situation and find happiness with Cathy. They “eventually come to love with patience and
understanding, but only after Heathcliff’s influence is removed” (Bell, 3). Heathcliff’s influence took
priority over Hindley’s influence on Hareton because the negative attention from Heathcliff outweighed
the rejection from his own father. Heathcliff’s attention to Hareton thrived solely on his desire to get
back at Hindley, however, ultimately making Hindley the biggest impact on Hareton’s life, although in an
extremely indirect way. Finally, Cathy reflects her mother more than any of the other children. With
Catherine dying immediately after the birth of Cathy, Cathy serves as a direct continuation of Catherine’s
legacy. She shares many similarities to her mother, and “is in many ways a reincarnation of her mother.
Though she is softened by the characteristics which she has inherited from her father” (Woodford, 2).
The kindness and meek nature of Cathy’s father Edgar contributed greatly to Cathy’s improved
personality over her mother’s. Cathy repaid her father for his caring upbringing by giving great loyalty to
her father. When she learns of what Heathcliff did to her father, she declares to him, “‘I shan’t speak to
you, Mr Heathcliff!’ answered Catherine. ‘Papa says you are a wicked man, and you hate both him and
me; and Ellen says the same’”(Bronte, 171). When she learned about the situation between the
residents of Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange, she failed to understand because her limited
experience was “conversant with no bad deeds except her own slight acts of disobedience, injustice, and
passion, rising from hot temper and thoughtlessness, and repented of on the day they were committed,
was amazed at the blackness of spirit that could brood on, and cover revenge for years, and deliberately
prosecute its plans, without a visitation of remorse”(164). In dealing with relationships, Cathy matured
where her mother could not. “She parallels her mother in her ‘sunshine’ and in her imperiousness…. But
she differs from her mother also: as her relationship to Linton indicates, she is open to others, receptive
to their needs”(Shapiro, 5-6). Additionally, “Cathy’s marriage to Hareton is in a sense a revision of her
mother’s unsuccessful marriage to Edgar Linton…In young Cathy, Bronte gives us a woman whose
acquired humility, patience, and affection yield what promises to be a satisfying marriage and a mutual
broadening of experience” (Federico, 2). Cathy separates herself from her mother most noticeably with
maturity level. “Catherine, especially, is not so much struggling to grow up as she is struggling not to”
(1). The generations of this book hold few similarities, serving as contrasts to each other as a way to
trace the progression through the families. Even though few traits passed down from parents to their
children, the children still fed off of parental influence, most in an indirect way. The second generation
struggles to understand the passionate hatred their parents left to them. They are much more pacific
than their parents were, and undeserving of the treatment they received merely for living. Ultimately,
the kids paid the price for their parents’ misdeeds in life, all of them at one time falling under the cruel
hands of Heathcliff, which was the uniting factor among the second generation.

Wuthering heights vs Thrushcross grange

Wuthering Heights is a thrilling novel by Emily Brontё. In this splendid novel, Wuthering heights and
Thrushcross grange are two homes that illustrates two different moods. All actions in the novel are
centered on these two places.

Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange mainly differ in their appearance and moods. While
Wuthering Heights depicts a stormy mood, the Thrushcross grange depicts a calm mood. And it is this
calm and storm mood that forms the plot of the novel. Wuthering Heights has a surrounding that is
depicted as dark and cold, which reflects the darker side of life; there is a feeling of storm in this place.
Thrushcross Grange is just the opposite of Wuthering Heights. It is depicted as brighter and warmer,
which reflects the brighter side of life.

There is much difference in the residents of these two places. Wuthering Heights are packed with
working class whereas Thrushcross grange has residents who belong to a higher stratum in the social
ladder. Thrushcross Grange is also home to children, which is not so with Wuthering Heights.

Wuthering Heights is a farmhouse that is situated on top of Yorkshire moors. On the contrary,
Thrushcross Grange is situated lower in the valley and is close to civilization. The Thrushcross Grange has
a more cultivated atmosphere than the Wuthering heights.

Wuthering Heights symbolizes jealousy, anger and hatred. One can see that there is much tension in the
house as depicted by the characters. On the contrary, Thrushcross Grange reflects love, kindness and
peace.

Summary

1.Wuthering heights and Thrushcross grange are two places depicted in the novel Wuthering heights
that illustrate two different moods.
2.While Wuthering Heights depicts a stormy mood, the Thrushcross grange depicts a calm mood.

3.Wuthering Heights are packed with working class whereas Thrushcross grange has residents who
belong to a higher stratum in the social ladder.

4.Wuthering Heights has a surrounding that is depicted as dark and cold, which reflects the darker side
of life; there is a feeling of storm in this place. Thrushcross Grange is depicted as brighter and warmer,
which reflects the brighter side of life.

5.Wuthering Heights is a farmhouse that is situated on top of Yorkshire moors. On the contrary,
Thrushcross Grange is situated lower in the valley and is close to civilization.

6.Wuthering Heights symbolizes jealousy, anger and hatred. One can see that there is much tension in
the house as depicted by the characters. On the contrary, Thrushcross Grange reflects love, kindness
and peace.

In Emily Bronte’s novel, the story is confined to two manors; Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross
Grange. Though Wuthering Heights is not far from Thrushcross Grange, they differ greatly. They
represent the conflict between chaos and serenity. The occupants of Wuthering Heights are in constant
turmoil, while the tenants who reside at Thrushcross Grange enjoy a peaceful life of luxury. Bronte
makes a magnificent use of characterization by names. Even the properties are characterized by their
names.

When the characters from Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange meet, love and jealousy are
sparked. In the beginning of the novel Mr. Lockwood, renter of Thrushcross Grange, introduces
Wuthering Heights. He says,” Wuthering Heights is the name of Mr. Heathcliff’s dwelling.

Wuthering’ being a significant provincial adjective, descriptive of the atmosphere tumult to which its
station is exposed in stormy weather. The narrow windows are deeply set in the wall, and the corners
defended with large jutting stones.” This Gothic description of Wuthering Heights reveals the
weathering effect it has on characters. The darkness and mysterious history of the residence can be
intimidating. Mr. Lockwood is greeted coldly by the inhabitants of Wuthering Heights. He is ridiculed for
asking questions about the property’s history.

He reflects,” The dismal spiritual atmosphere overcame, and more then neutralized, the glowing
physical comforts round me; and I resolved to be cautious how I ventured under those rafters a third
time.” Mr. Lockwood enjoys a social conversation. He feels out of place in a family who rarely speaks to
one another. Later in the novel Thrushcross Grange is depicted in the past.

Heathcliff, now a teenager, and Catherine (Heathcliff’s foster sister who is around the same age) sneak
over to Thrushcross Grange. Heathcliff illustrate their experience,” ‘We crept through a broken hedge,
groped our way up the path, and planted ourselves on a flower plot under the drawing-room window.
The light came from thence… it was beautiful- a splendid place carpeted with crimson and a pure white
ceiling bordered by gold, a shower of glass-drops hanging in silver chains from the center and
shimmering with little soft tapers.’ ” Heathcliff’s describes Thrushcross Grange with flowing colors and
luxurious views.

This description differs from the overcast and colorless Wuthering Heights. Subsequently Catherine is
injured and is taken into Thrushcross Grange by the residing family, the Lintons. Heathcliff recalls her
hospitable treatment,” ‘Afterwards, they dried and combed her beautiful hair, and gave her a pair of
enormous slippers, and wheeled her to the fire; as merry as she could be.’” Catherine’s treatment
contrasts the way Mr. Lockwood was greeted at Wuthering Heights. This exhibits the manner in which
the Lintons compose themselves compared to the Earnshaw’s of Wuthering Heights. The differences
continue as the novel returns to the present day.

Cathy (Catherine’s daughter) compares her idea of spending a summer day with Linton’s (Heathcliff’s
son),” ‘He said the pleasantest manner of spending a hot July day was lying from morning till evening on
a bank of heath in the middle of the moors… the blue sky and bright sun shining steadily and cloudless
ly.’ ” Linton being a “product” of Wuthering Heights longs for dullness and quietness. His absent-colored
description conforms to the blandness of Wuthering Heights… Cathy continues,” ‘Mine [idea] was
rocking and rustling in a green tree, with the west wind blowing, and bright white clouds flitting rapidly
above….’ ” Cathy was raised in Thrushcross Grange, so she pictures her ideal day with an intensity of
color.

The two accounts convey the differences between Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange. The
conflicts between Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange prevail through the entire novel. The
influence of the vicinities is evident in the characters. Catherine is described as a child who “could ride
any horse in the stable.” This is a perfect example of the impetuous Wuthering Heights. Thrushcross
Grange is pictured with radiant colors and elegance. Wuthering Heights is the complete opposite of
Thrushcross Grange.

HEATHCLIFF’S CHARACTER FROM WUTHERING HEIGHTS

The Character of Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights

Wuthering Heights is a notable work by Emily Bronte. Despite being a tragic and dark novel, it is full of
engaging characters. The central character in Wuthering Heights is Heathcliff, the orphan whom
Catherine’s father brought from Liverpool. Heathcliff is an innocent kid who has lived a difficult life till
Mr Earnshaw picks him up. He grows up with Catherine and Mr Earnshaw loves and cares for him. As a
child, he is Catherine’s friend whom he starts loving as he grows up. However, he loses the care and love
after Mr Earnshaw’s death and feels betrayed when Catherine leaves him for Edgar Linton. These events
bring a profound change in Heathcliff and throughout the rest of the novel he remains a sadistic demon.
It is also very difficult to peep into his heart. Emily Bronte has given Heathcliff’s character a solid cover
which makes it difficult to read his heart and understand his emotions fully. Sometimes readers can feel
the presence of a romantic hero in him. However, it seems like the darker side of his personality has
grown too strong and takes over whenever he tries to be sympathetic to others.

There are primarily two factors behind the change in Heathcliff’s personality- Catherine whom he loves
marries Edgar Linton and Hindley’s harassment of Heathcliff after Mr Earnshaw’s death. While all the
characters in Wuthering Heights are unique, it is especially Heathcliff who despite his ill-tempered and
cynical attitude engages with his intense and dark emotions. Readers cannot help sympathizing with him
for beneath his sinister behavior they can feel the presence of a romantic hero. His frustration for not
finding his love has made him sadistic and evil. At several points, it appears like he uses his vicious
attitude to hide his real emotions and his longing for Catherine. However, it also seems that he is
authentically bent at punishing others around him. At least it so appears because he does not hesitate to
demonstrate through his cruelty that he is truly as cynical as he appears. Still, despite his arrogant
attitude it is his longing for his lost love that proves him a hero. However, his pain is what justifies his
behavior to some extent and makes readers sympathize with him. In the initial scenes, he appears as a
stubborn, arrogant and inhospitable landlord. People in his family also look just as wild and inhospitable
with no sense of manners and civilization. In his initial few experiences Lockwood becomes aware of
what kind of person he is. Nelly narrates him the rest of the story and why Heathcliff has become such
evil and brutally offensive.

Heathcliff still remembers Catherine and wails like a child for her to be back. Lockwood’s nightmare at
Wuthering Heights and the episode that follows shows that the child inside him is still alive. He longs for
his love, praying for Catherine to return. He cracks his whip on everyone whom he believes is liable for
his loss or is even distantly connected with it. Bronte’s take on love is gloomy, growing so dark at points
that it resembles a ghost story. Even the settings of the entire novel appear haunted and repulsive.

Heathcliff himself thinks of nothing but revenge and it has turned him monstrous. Bronte has
masterfully carved her characters. Even important are the settings that add to the gloom and bitterness
of the story. Set in the Yorkshire Moors, the heart touching story of Wuthering Heights, is just as gloomy
as its lonely settings. Caught in the whirlpool of their own emotions, the characters continue to destroy
themselves. It is like with the arrival of the little guy from Liverpool, a chain of dangerous events had
been set in motion.

Heathcliff is portrayed as a hero who is driven by his desire to avenge. Catherine who betrayed his trust
and married Linton and Linton himself are dead. He amuses himself sadistically by punishing Isabella,
Edgar’s sister whom he marries to pursue his vengeful intentions. Heathcliff used to be a happy man till
he lost Catherine to the good and cultured Edgar Linton. He goes away for three years after which he
returns wealthy and dressed as a gentleman. The sequence of his vengeful machinations ends only in his
death. Other characters in the novel compare him to a demon and Heathcliff does his best to ensure
that he remains a demon in their eyes. Their fear somewhere seems to give him a sense of win and
helps him overcome the frustration born of Catherine’s loss. The hatred for the Lintons’ makes him
even cynical.

It is his love and longing for Catherine Earnshaw which has changed him forever.

After Mr Earnshaw’s death, Hindley, his son, keeps Heathcliff deprived and ill-treats him. Catherine
abandons him to marry Edgar for Heathcliff is not as educated and rich. Heathcliff was an orphan and it
was natural that after finding love and shelter at ‘Wuthering Heights’, any kind of deprivation was going
to pain him deeply. The pain keeps revealing itself till Heathcliff is alive and he tries to inflict the same
pain on all the others who have hurt him. He cleverly gains the ownership of both Heights and Grange.
There is a lot about Heathcliff that is not understandable but that is what actually makes him unique.
Heathcliff has undergone a major change but then his frustration is well understandable, especially in
the light of his love for Catherine. Yet, it is Heathcliff’s pain that makes the novel so interesting and
engaging despite all the gloominess in it.

Still, the end readers keep feeling the intensity of love that Heathcliff holds in his heart and which he
keeps trying to hide after Catherine’s death. He is also the monster in the novel who is frustrated for he
never got what he desired. For this reason, Wuthering Heights also appears a horror story where
Heathcliff inspires the kind of terror in other characters’ heart that only Dracula would. To other
characters he remains it till his death. The stigmatized and victimized orphan had grown up to become
the perpetrator and perpetrates as much horror as he can. The melancholic tone of the novel makes the
two main characters look all the more romantic even if they are tragic. The novel concludes at a point
where readers understand that human emotions can take several indefinite forms.

Wuthering Heights Characters: Catherine Earnshaw

Catherine Earnshaw is one of the leading characters in the Novel Wuthering Heights. She maintains an
impressive and powerful presence in the novel even after her death. Catherine grows up as a free spirit
in Earnshaw family with Heathcliff. The two explore their surroundings together and share each other’s
feelings. However, once Edgar enters Catherine’s life, she grows divided between the two – Heathcliff
and Edgar. Edgar is from a civilized and well to do family whereas Heathcliff cannot afford such joys as
the Lintons can. So, when it comes to selecting her life partner, she chooses Edgar. She believes she can
find all the pleasures of life with him; but Heathcliff’s love remains alive in her heart. She subjects herself
to a tragedy she had never expected. It is because of her childishness that the pain becomes her fate.
Life would have been less painful for her if she had chosen Heathcliff but she did what her mind
suggested and not her heart. At the end, the restive and childish but innocent Catherine finds nothing
but sorrow throughout her life.

As a child, she was her father’s most favorite kid. It was because apart from being beautiful she was
rebellious and Mr Earnshaw her for her innocence. However, the night he brought Heathcliff home she
had felt intense hatred for the black kid at first. Still, the two became friends and grew up together
playing on the moors. She is intensely passionate and generally finds it difficult to withhold her emotions
or to hide her passion. When it comes to her marriage, she grows self-centered and decides to marry
Edgar in the hope of a better life. She had very little inkling of what life was going to be like with him.
She never felt the same intense love for Edgar as she did for Heathcliff and afterwards, she laments her
decision. She ends up getting bound in a relationship where she gets everything but not the kind of love
she had wanted in her life.

She is an adorable creature but equally unruly and adventurous. … she was never so happy as when we
were all scolding her at once, and she defying us with her bold, saucy look, and her ready words; turning
Joseph’s religious curses into ridicule, baiting me [Ellen]

Defiant, unruly, adventurous and still adorable is how Nelly Dean defines her. Her passionate nature,
while it makes her adorable on one side, on the other it costs her everything precious in her life
including personal satisfaction and happiness. Her stubbornness becomes the cause of all her sorrows. It
is why in her life; she does not find the marital bliss she wanted. Instead, she subjects herself to a life
she never dreamt of – dull and lacking excitement like Edgar Linton.

It is not that Edgar does not love her. He wants her and never dares to contradict her for he is familiar
with her wilder side. Her loss is too big for Heathcliff who returns a rich man only to seek revenge from
others. Feeling rejected after Catherine decided to not marry him, he grows into an obsessed creature.
His obsession with Catherine only ends with his death. It is not just because Catherine was his love but
because in her he had found a true friend who had protected him and made him feel strong when he
was a helpless kid. Unless for her, it would have been difficult for Heathcliff to bear all the abuse Hindley
inflicted. On her deathbed, Catherine is reminded of all the pleasant moments she had passed with
Heathcliff. Even after her death Heathcliff feels the same intense love for Catherine wishing her to be
back. She is buried with Edgar on one side and Heathcliff on the other, reflecting her divided love and
loyalty. She dies torn between the two as she had lived. Overall her stubbornness, unruliness and bad
luck are highlighted in the novel and despite it all she is adored and wanted. Heathcliff wants her more
than anything else and her character remains dominant in the novel because of these traits.

SUPERNATURAL

This is exposed in the setting of her novel, because in Wuthering Heights, Emily uses Thrushcross Grange
and Wuthering Heights to depict isolation and separation. The dark and foreboding environment
described at the beginning of the novel foreshadows the gloomy atmosphere found in the remainder of
the book. Wuthering Heights is an ancient mansion perched on a high ridge, overlooking a bled, windy,
sparsely inhabited wasteland. The harsh, gloomy characteristics of the land are consequently reflected
in the human characters, hence enhancing the deeper, darker feeling evident in her text. Emily Bronte’s
Wuthering Heights is enriched with fresh details, transfigured by a sense of the supernatural and the
extraordinary. The Gothic novel may also have exercised its influence on Emily in another way, by
concealing the author’s personality from the reader. This is thanks to the use of an interpreter-narrator,
allowing Emily to share in the illusion created but at the same time detaching herself from it. Wuthering
Heights can also be paralleled with the Gothic novel in the way that we find the same schematic
simplification in the casting of characters. On the one hand, sympathetic figures, victims of the villain’s
wickedness, and, on the other hand, a set of unappealing figures. At the centre of her novel, Emily
situates the dark character, a descendant of the traditional traitor who is positioned outside all social
conventions, namely Heathcliff. However, he has this originality, which sets him apart from the
archetypal dark figure I have hitherto discussed. In keeping with the traditions of this genre, that the
evil-doer should be distinguished in appearance, Heathcliff is physically tough and sober in his habits.
He tells Mr. Dean, “with my hard constitution and temperate mode of living, and unperilous occupations
I ought to, and probably shall, remain above ground till there is scarcely a black hair on my head.”
(Chapter 33) Even closer to the villain of the Gothic novel is Mrs. Dean’s description of Heathcliff’s
appearance:

“Do you mark these lines between your eyes; and those thick eyebrows,

that instead of rising arched, sink in the middle; and that couple of black fiends so deeply buried who
never open their windows boldly, but lurk glinting under them, like devil spies?” (Wuthering Heights
Chapter7).

So it is the primacy of Emily’s own creative imagination, so far as the use of ideas borrowed from various
sources, which encourage us to place the influence of the Gothic novel.

Wuthering Heights has been classified as a love story, but the story of the passionate yet doomed love
between Catherine and Heathcliff is far from a traditional Romance and relies heavily on key Gothic
conventions.

The very dreams of Lockwood early in the novel have a supernatural quality. Lockwood has two dreams
both of which are nightmares. In the first dream, Lockwood has to listen to a sermon in a church in the
company of Joseph. When the preacher has finished talking about most of the sins and proceeds to
dwell upon yet another sin, Lockwood rises in his dream and urges his fellow-martyrs to drag the
preacher down and crush him. In reply, the preacher orders the assembly to chastise Lockwood, and
Lockwood finds himself grappling with Joseph, his most ferocious attacker. Every man’s hand is soon
against his neighbor. In the second dream, Lockwood finds that his hand has been grasped by a small,
icy-cold hand of a little girl who says that she is Catherine Linton. Lockwood pulls the child’s wrest to the
broken glass-pane, and rubs it to and fro until it begins to bleed and his bed-clothes are soaked in blood.
‘Let me in! I’ve been a eaif for twenty years.” Wails the child’s voice. Now, perhaps both these dreams
can be explained psychologically. But Lockwood at this time knows nothing of the story of Catherine and
her love for Heathcliff. The fact that Catherine appears to him in a dream is astonishing and gives rise to
supernatural suggestions in our mind. A mysterious power seems to have caused Lockwood to see these
two dreams. The blowing of a furious storm when Heathcliff, after overhearing some of the words
spoken by Cathy to Nelly, disappears from Wuthering Heights, is also a supernatural element in the
story. Nelly relates:

Abut midnight, while we sat up,

The storm came rattling over the Heights in full furry.

There was a violent wind, as well as thunder…

We thought that it must be a judgment on us also.

Lockwood, the first narrator in the novel, also discovers that the house may be haunted when he sleeps
in what used to be Catherine’s bed. His sleep is disturbed by a troubling dream in which a child –
Catherine – scratches at the window and pleads to be allowed in after roaming the moors for twenty
years. Heathcliff’s reaction to this, flinging open the window and begging her to come back again,
suggests that the experience was not a dream at all but a visitation from a ghost, although the novel
never makes this clear.

Heathcliff, the main male protagonist in the novel, shows aspects of the Byronic hero, a figure that has
become familiar to fans of Gothic. His past is shrouded in mystery; his parentage is never discovered,
and the reader knows only that old Mr Earnshaw found him wandering the streets of Liverpool as a
young boy. He is virtually a savage when he is brought home – “a dirty, ragged, black-haired child”
(Wuthering Heights chapter 4) frequently referred to as a “gypsy” because of his dark coloring. His lack
of surname stresses the mystery of his background, and even as he grows older, he maintains this air of
secrecy – for example, when he returns to Wuthering Heights a wealthy man after a long absence, no-
one is ever able to say where he made his money.

As an adult, his personality is dominated by his obsessive love for Catherine, and he shows himself to be
cruel, violent, manipulative and vengeful. Despite these flaws, Heathcliff has proved an enduring and
much-loved literary character, suggesting his great charisma and magnetism.