Wuthering Heights is a book about people. It’s a soap opera in the lives of two households in early 19th century northern England and is one of those books that you just have to read.
It’s often mistaken for a love story telling the story of the famous romance between Catherine and Heathcliff. That was one of the mistakes I made. Although there is a relationship explored between these two characters, it’s by no means the main aspect of the story. Emily Brontë explores a range of issues in this book which were obvious key aspects of life at this time. Ideas such as inheritance rights, relationships, marriages and death are all dealt with and a range of options given to the reader. This although may make the story itself perhaps seem slightly weak as it appears to deal with too much almost, it’s an outstanding novel when the social and historical context is considered. Here was a woman writing against the socially accepted ways of life to explore other options.
Right, enough of the analytical part! Down to
the book itself!!
It initially may seem like a hard book to get into as it’s a classic and so written in nineteenth century English. This at the start may be a bit off putting. I found that I started the book and at first had no idea what was going on but by rereading the first chapter soon got a feel for the language. This was the first classic I’d read and now feel that I could read others confidently so if you’re not new to this style of writing then I doubt you’d have much trouble with it.
The structure of the book may be slightly complicated. The book opens in time present with the new tenant Lockwood visiting Wuthering Heights and Heathcliff. He then goes back to Thrushcross Grange, his residence and the narration is handed over to Nelly Dean, the housekeeper there who retells the story of Heathcliff’s childhood and his life. This is the main part of the book and you are only a couple of times reminded that this is the story being retold. It then closes back in the present. Another confusing aspect are the characters used! There are two generations of characters, with the only constant being Heathcliff who remains to the end. However many of the second generation characters echo the first with things such as names (the names Catherine and Linton may need a bit of concentration!) Also the way that the families move between the houses Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange may seem to be a bit muddled and sometimes it’s hard to work out who belongs where.
Okay, maybe a slight exaggeration. It’s not that hard as long as you follow it okay. These were just some of the things that occurred to me!!
The first generation characters are the Earnshaws, Hindley and Catherine and their father. These are the original residents of Wuthering Heights, a wild and untamed house exposed on the Yorkshire moors. However on a trip to Liverpool Old Earnshaw finds a child and adopts him. This is Heathcliff. Despite the relationship between him and Catherine there is another house, Thrushcross Grange which is home to the Lintons, Isabella and Edgar and their parents. This is the home of a more civilised and socially acceptable world and one which Heathcliff will struggle throughout to be accepted into. However Catherine does not have this trouble and later there are marriages between the residents of these houses and everything’s muddled up a bit. (I’m trying not to give too much of the book away here! Sorry if I’m completely ruining it!) The children as results of these marriages are Linton, Catherine and Hareton which have connotations of the original characters although their story goes a different way to give a completeness to the story and gives a satisfying close to the book. (Not sure how well I’m writing about this! Any questions, just ask!!)
There are also a range of other characters which help complete the picture such as the religious values of Joseph and the mothering instinct of Nelly which add different dimensions and points of view to the story.
Emily Brontë has also used a range of sophisticated literary techniques in Wuthering heights such as her use of imagery with certain motifs and pathetic fallacy (ooh, oh so knowledgeable!) However it’s quite remarkable that some of the ideas she uses in her book are so much before their time. Such as the use of the psychology of dreams, a concept which was not popular until much much later. For these reasons it seems such a shame that this was Emily Brontë’s only novel as it’s such a brilliant and fulfilling read.
This is a book of character, romance, violence, social values and one that you really should explore for yourself.
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Great opinion here. My only experience of Wuthering Heights is through that awful Heathcliff musical stariing Cliff Richard a while back. It put me off, somewhat, but I really ought to give this a look, it sounds fascinating. David.
HappyBunny 01.08.2001 23:15
Love WH - did it at A'level, but always had problems saying Thrushcross Grange - one of those nasty mix ups! Good op, you analysed the novel well.
Advantages: Simply yet powerfully written; social commentary of the 1840s; affecting romance. Disadvantages: Could be accused of pulling some punches but still radical for its time.
Jul 31st, 2001
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