- Published: December 13, 2021
- Updated: December 13, 2021
- University / College: University of Washington
- Level: Secondary School
- Language: English
- Downloads: 10
Wuthering Heights: Wuthering Heights is a publication by Emily Bronte (Sharma, 4). The original date that Wuthering Heights was published, is in the year 1847. Emily Bronte published this literature under the pseudonym of Ellis Bell. This is because she was not sure, how this novel would be received by the society (Sharma, 4). This is specifically because of the gender discrimination that was characterized by the society, during this period in time. This paper provides a literary analysis of Wuthering Height. The approach in meeting this objective is through an analysis of key thematic connotations, and the characters that played a role in developing the mentioned theme.
One of the thematic connotations that is depicted in Wuthering Heights, is love. The theme of love is depicted through two generation of families, that of the Lintons, and that of the Earnshaws. Romantic love takes a variety of forms in this literature, and it is depicted through the passion of Catherine and Heathcliff, Hindley and Frances, the infatuations of Isabella, the love relationship between Cathy and Linton, and the sexual attraction that was between Hareton and Cathy (Sharma, 27). The love relationships that are depicted in this literature are self-centered, and each lover is able to ignore the feelings, needs and claims of others. This is with the exception of the relationship between Catherine and Heathcliff.
However, the most notable relationship in this novel is that of Catherine and Heathcliff. The two were able to engage in a passionate love, giving oneself, to each other, without any reservations. To them, nothing mattered, but to be loved by each other, and still crave for more. Through the theme of love, we are also able to depict the character of Emily Bronte. This means that she was an independent woman, who was willing to write on issues, that women were afraid to write about during this period of time, that is, the 1800s (Brontë and Kathryn, 11). Furthermore, this literature provides a critique of some social conventions that the society was facing. Of particular concern, were on issues that touched on gender. This is depicted in the manner which Bronte is able to distribute the feminine and masculine characteristics, without regarding the sex of an individual.
Take for instance, in her description of Mr. Linton and Heathcliff. Bronte explains that these people have the attributes and looks of women. This is despite Mr. Heathcliff and Linton, being male (Sharma, 21). On the other hand, Bronte manages to explain that Catherine Earnshaw, and this is despite her outrageous beauty. Other instances of social critique are based on the character of Mr. Lockwood. Mr. Lockwood is a well educated, and a wealthy man (Sharma, 17). However, he is critical of other people, who are not of the same social class, as himself. In critiquing Mr. Lockwood, Emily Bronte denotes that he had a weird character, whereby he wanted to know information about everybody within the community. By closely analyzing this character, it is possible to denote that Emily Bronte was giving him a feminine character, that of a gossip. Gossiping is always associated with women.
In conclusion, Emily Bronte, in her novel, has managed to use the theme of love, and femininity and masculinity, for purposes of developing the characters in the literature. For instance, Bronte uses the theme of love to develop the characters of Catherine Earnshaw and Mr. Heathcliff. She uses the themes of Femininity and Masculinity to develop the characters of Mr. Lockwood, Catherine, Mr. Linton, etc.
Works Cited:
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Sharma, R S. Wuthering Heights: A Commentary. New Delhi: Atlantic Publishers and
Distributors, 1994. Print.
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Brontë, Emily, and Kathryn Brown. Wuthering Heights. Walton-on-Thames: Nelson, 1999.
Print.
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