Essays+for+Wuthering+Heights

Written in 1847, Emily Bronte’s dramatic and compelling novel //Wuthering Heights// is an accurate portrayal of human nature and the inherent traits we all seem to posses. Using the juxtaposition presented to us between both Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange, and also through the personalities of Catherine and Cathy, Bronte reveals the inherently savage nature of humanity when raised in an environment of little moral limits and patriarchal brutality. Set in the harsh, desolate landscape of the Yorkshire Moors, we are revealed the extremities of human nature and are exposed to extreme acts of hatred and anger, yet also passionate displays of love. It is the presentation of the conflict between these two emotions which force us to question our own lives, and if we too act is such savage, brutal ways merely to satisfy our own hunger for affection from certain individuals in our lives. Rather than our actions being determined by a wholesome and moral purpose, Bronte argues that all actions are inherently corrupt and selfish. Humans always think of themselves before others and it is not until we work at the flaws in our own nature, that we begin to become valuable members of society.
 * __To what extent do you agree that novels use a clash of opposites to present ideas? Discuss your views with reference to a novel (or novels) you have studied.__ **

Bronte uses the juxtaposition between Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange to portray and enhance the temperaments and traits of individual characters, and essentially individuals of society today. The morals, upbringing and values of individual characters are constructed to reflect those of the settings in which they are placed, and to further enhance the messages Bronte sends us. The inhabitants of Wuthering Heights are generally angry, ill-tempered, immoral and altogether undesirable. The house is always locked, lacks any ‘introductory lobby or passage,’ and above the chimney ‘are a few sundry villainous old guns’ portraying it to be an unwelcome and hostile environment. Altogether they are not as sophisticated as those at Thrushcross Grange, and also seem to contaminate their innocence when they begin to get involved with their affairs. Thrushcross Grange is the exact opposite of Wuthering Heights; the two settings being an accurate portrayal of the conflict between savagery and civilisation, with Thrushcross Grange symbolising civility and love. Through the contrast presented by the two locations, we are sent a clear message that our surroundings essentially determine who we are. Heathcliff only ever lives in the savage, hostile environment of Wuthering Heights, and as a result, grows into a savage and cruel adult. He knows no other way of living, and so knows no other aspects of human nature through which to live by. Catherine, on the other hand, lives briefly at Thrushcross Grange, and although being just as wild as Heathcliff, knows how to act so that she is acceptable to other members of society. In a way this only makes her more despicable, as she uses her status as a lady to manipulate Edgar in order to gain for herself and Heathcliff.

The isolated, wild and barren landscape of the Yorkshire Moors, juxtaposes with the stereotypical image of England of green, peaceful and idyllic. Described as a dark and morbid place with ‘bleak’ landscapes and only ‘a few stunted trees at the end of the house, Wuthering Heights is typically Gothic; with the windows ‘deeply set in the wall and the corners defended with large jutting stones.’ Being a setting that is so dominant and powerful, it becomes easier for us as readers to accept the evil happenings which take place, and so accustom ourselves to them as they become more and more prolific throughout the novel. As Heathcliff becomes more heartless, cruel, and vindictive; so to do his actions and because the setting makes it easier to imagine dark and evil happenings, our senses are dulled to his acts of revenge. Acts which once seemed revolting and heartless become rather mundane. These acts also become an increasing intrusion into the peace and tranquillity of Thrushcross Grange, a setting which we typically associate with a normal rural lifestyle of that era. Although we are initially horrified by the events which take place, we soon come to accept them with mild recognition, just as we do when they occur in the savagery of Wuthering Heights. Through this Bronte unleashes the savagery she believes to be present in all human beings, and brings it to the forefront of our minds. We emerge from the novel questioning how these aspects are present in our own lives; why we often regard some as a normal part of society, yet are horrified and disgusted by others. As these acts of violence occur not only in the morbid setting of Wuthering Heights, but also in the peace of Thrushcross Grange, we are shown how selfishness and savagery are natural aspects of human nature. As they occur in everyday life, we begin to simply pass them off as normal and acceptable, just as we do in the novel. If there were people as savage as Heathcliff everywhere, would we too dismiss their actions as normal simply because we were accustomed to them?

Catherine’s wild, unruly behaviour is used to clash against the stereotypical image of women during that time, and to some extent, the way it still is today. Set in the late 17th century, Bronte effectively makes a number of realistic comments about the conventional images of women as submissive, pious, gentle and loving. Of all of these traits, Catherine Earnshaw conforms to none; she does have the ability to love, but only in a fierce and unnatural way. Catherine’s willful behavior is, in a way, made believable and acceptable, because of the fact that she was unable to achieve anything significant in a male dominated society. Although she must still obey her brother and marry Edgar to increase her status and wealth, she is never actually dominated by any males. Catherine remains her haughty, willful self and refuses to let Edgar stop her from getting her own way; he ‘had a deep rooted fear of ruffling her humour.’ This contrast effectively sends us the message that women should never have to undergo oppression of the spirit just because a male demands it. Women have the same right to own land, to marry who they want and to decide the ways in which their children are raised, just as men do. Although this is allowed in Western society today, there are still parts of the world which give men the right to beat their wives and to marry off their daughters. Catherine was lucky in the fact that she married a weak man. She could use him to do what she willed yet still appear to be a good and faithful wife to the wider community.

Bronte uses the differences in the personalities of Edgar and Heathcliff to portray how free-will and individuality, can often lead to the oppression of others and how they express themselves. Heathcliff is savage, violent and selfish; like the Moors and their inability to be cultivated, Heathcliff refuses to be restrained by conformities and society’s expectations. He lacks, from about the age of eight, the steadying influence of a mother and hence grows up without moral restraints, and in an atmosphere of patriarchal brutality. Heathcliff is, in part, a victim of a cruel upbringing and so sees no reason not to continue this cruelty into adulthood. This contrasts with Edgar, a pampered and spoilt child who grows into an equally weak and effeminate man. He was enchanted by Catherine from their first meeting merely because of the fact that she could find the strength in herself to overcome society’s conventions and limitations. It is his own inability to do so that allows Heathcliff to bully and torment him the way he does; to manipulate his weaknesses to gain for himself, as Heathcliff was a man who assumed direct correlation between his desires and their fulfilment, without the usual filters of convention and compromise. It is through these opposites in personality and temperament which Bronte sends us the message that, although it is better to be individual than to conform to society, there comes a stage where one must restrain themselves and what they do in order to obtain this individuality. Heathcliff has no moral and ethical restraints, and so feels no remorse when he openly intrudes into Edgar’s life and his family. Bronte sends us the message that at times, these forms of individuality need social constraints so one does not turn so selfish and savage that they begin to oppress others.

Using the opposites of setting, personality and conventions in society, Bronte effectively sends us several messages about humanity and its inherent traits. We are shown how savagery and selfishness are aspects of human nature that have always been present in society, but we have been exposed so much to them that we have been desensitised to the effects they have on individuals and society as a whole. Bronte’s manipulation of the setting, and our eventual acceptance of the events which take place, bring us to question how much savagery is present in our own lives. Is it constantly under the surface of our society present in education and civility? Although it may not be obvious, it seems that cruelty and revenge are natural aspects of our nature as a result of our own desire to express our individuality.