Wuthering Heights

Definition

Wuthering Heights is a novel written by Emily Brontë, published in 1847, which is often considered a classic of Gothic literature. The story explores intense emotions, complex characters, and the dark aspects of human nature, while also presenting themes of love, revenge, and social class against a haunting Yorkshire moorland backdrop. The novel's narrative structure, with its unreliable narrators and intricate timelines, adds to its Gothic atmosphere and psychological depth.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The novel's structure features multiple narrators, primarily Mr. Lockwood and Nelly Dean, which creates a layered storytelling effect that complicates the narrative.
2. Wuthering Heights is often seen as a critique of the rigid social class distinctions in 19th-century England through the tumultuous relationships between characters like Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw.
3. The setting of Wuthering Heights itself acts almost as a character, representing the wildness and isolation that reflect the emotional turmoil of the characters.
4. The relationship between Heathcliff and Catherine is central to the plot and embodies the theme of passionate but destructive love, driving much of the conflict throughout the story.
5. Upon its initial publication, Wuthering Heights received mixed reviews; however, it has since gained recognition as a pioneering work in both Gothic literature and feminist criticism.

Review Questions

• How do Gothic elements manifest in Wuthering Heights, particularly in terms of setting and character development?
  • Gothic elements in Wuthering Heights are evident through its bleak and isolated setting on the Yorkshire moors, which creates a sense of foreboding and reflects the characters' emotional states. The characters themselves are often portrayed as tormented souls, particularly Heathcliff, whose obsessive love for Catherine drives him to dark actions. The use of supernatural hints, such as Catherine's ghostly appearances, further enhances the Gothic atmosphere and reinforces themes of passion and revenge.
• Discuss how Emily Brontë's life experiences influenced her writing of Wuthering Heights and shaped its themes.
  • Emily Brontë's experiences growing up in a remote Yorkshire parsonage profoundly influenced her writing of Wuthering Heights. The isolation she experienced in her youth is mirrored in the novel's desolate setting and themes of alienation. Additionally, having lived with her siblings in a close-knit yet often tumultuous household allowed her to explore complex family dynamics and relationships, especially the passionate yet destructive bond between Heathcliff and Catherine. Her own struggles with societal expectations as a woman writer also informed her critique of social class within the narrative.
• Evaluate the significance of unreliable narration in Wuthering Heights and its impact on readers' understanding of the story's events.
  • Unreliable narration in Wuthering Heights is crucial for creating ambiguity around character motivations and events, prompting readers to actively engage with the text. Through multiple narrators like Mr. Lockwood and Nelly Dean, Brontë invites readers to question whose version of events they can trust. This complexity allows for deeper exploration of themes such as love, revenge, and morality. The resulting tension between different perspectives shapes how readers interpret relationships between characters like Heathcliff and Catherine, ultimately leaving them to grapple with the moral implications of their actions.

Related terms

Gothic Literature: A genre characterized by elements of horror, supernatural events, and an emphasis on emotional extremes, often set in eerie or decaying settings.

The Brontë Sisters: Three talented sisters—Charlotte, Emily, and Anne—who were prominent English novelists in the 19th century, known for their unique contributions to literature and exploration of social issues.

Romanticism: An artistic and literary movement that emphasized emotion, individualism, and the beauty of nature, often reacting against the rationalism of the Enlightenment.