Wuthering Heights, written by Emily Brontë takes the idea of the moors to a whole
new symbolic level. The novel itself takes place on Yorkshire moors, which
ultimately establishes a country setting. Like Brontë herself, the characters
of her one and only novel—yes, sadly it’s true---grow up in an isolate
environment. This degree of isolation in turn spurred the encounter of two
differing households both externally and internally—Wuthering Heights and
Thrushcross Grange. This novel made me realize just how impactful a novel’s
setting can be. Brontë cleverly utilizes this setting not only as a plot
device, but also as a way to convey to people that we are products of our own
environments.
The wild and desolate moors are set against the drama
unfolding in the two houses that are stark contrasts from one another not only
in appearance but also by their inhabitants. Lockwood explains at the novel's
opening, "Wuthering" is "a significant provincial adjective,
descriptive of the atmospheric tumult to which its station is exposed in stormy
weather.” It is said to be haunted by ghosts, and exudes an ominous mood. Mystery
and mysticism govern the lives of those who live there, ultimately making it 'A
perfect misanthropist's heaven.”
This is never more evident than Heathcliff himself. Scarred by the loss of
Catherine, he lives his life emersing himself within plots of revenge. Thrushcross
Grange is a very classy, civilized estate and living in a place like this
would bring a lot of status with it. Unlike Wuthering Heights it is located in
a pleasant location that is not subject to severe storms. It is quite a sheltered place down in the
valley and this is something that is common with its children - they tend
to be sheltered and spoilt. For this reason, Edgar Linton is regarded as a
poised and proper man. Although both estates are wealthy, there is a
definite difference in class between them and this bears on the ability of
the characters from both estates to socialize with each other. By
growing up in the manner they did, they viewed each other’s family with
concern. For example, when Catherine was forced to stay at Thrushcross Grange
after being bitten by a dog, Heathcliff was upset when she returned bearing the
traits of the Lintons—the same people who look down upon him for his dirty
clothes. There’s no wonder why Heathcliff would feel this way, when he was
raised in a whole different manner.
Heathcliff clearly grew up in the novel as a double
outsider. Not only was he adopted into the Earnshaw family, but his appearance
falls short of the others (i.e., he is described as a “dark skinned gypsy”).
Growing up in a household where he was constantly mistreated by Hindley,
Heathcliff was able to find comfort in Catherine. However, both her marriage to
Edgar and her death left him alone in the world. In addition, the isolation of
this household meant that there weren’t various other households and civilians
nearby, meaning that he was left to endure it on his own. In a way, Catherine was
Heathcliff’s safe haven. The lost of her presence left him with nothing positive
to focus on. Consequently, he emerged into a man of revenge—one who rebelled against
his tormentor and opponents (Hindley and Edgar). Wuthering Heights is a constant reminder of just impacted we are by
our surroundings and upbringing. It's messages carry on into the 21st century where it is deservingly deemed as a work of literary merit.
I really like how you looked at the novel in respect to a number of elements. This creates insight that is well rounded and poignant as it displays your complex understanding of Wuthering Heights. However, I think this is an important process to take with any novel. To really get to the “meat” of the novel (meanings, implications, etc.), you first need to break through the “shell” of the novel (literary devices, setting, etc.). By looking at different aspects of the shell, it becomes a lot easier to crack open. Like a nut or a lobster claw, it is much easier to break with more ‘pressure’ being applied. Discussing these different elements is just going to add pressure to the story’s shell and help the reader come to a deeper level of understanding.
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