Emily Jane Bronte‘ was an English Novelist, poet and considered a classic
English Literature. She was born on 30 July 1818 in Thornton, Yorkshire,
England. She was the fifth child of Patrick Bronte and Maria Branwell
Bronte. In 1820, shortly after the birth of Emily's younger sister, Anne,
the family moved to Haworth. ln Haworth, Patrick was employed as perpetual
curator. Here, the children developed their literary talents.
(ads)
At the age of six, Emily joined her sisters Elizabeth, Maria and Charlotte at Clergy Daughters' School at Cowan Bridge. Unfortunately, Elizabeth and Maria became seriously ill of tuberculosis and returned home. In 1825, Elizabeth and Maria died of that disease and as the death of their siblings Bronte's father removed both Emily and Charlotte from the school as well.
The remaining Bronté's three children; Charlotte, Emily and Anne are
educated at home in Haworth. The children began to write stories and
fiction at home. In 1835, at the age of seventeen, Emily left home for
school and attended Roe Head Girls' School where Charlotte worked as a
teacher. However, they didn't stay long and came back to Haworth.
(ads)
Coming from a poor family, Bronte tried to find work She became a
teacher at the Law Hill School in September 1837, but she left her
position the following March. Bronte and his sister Charlotte went to
study in Brussels in 1842, but the death of their aunt Elizabeth forced
them to return home.
In 1844, Emily recollected all the poems
she had written into two notebooks. One was labelled Gondal Poems, the
other was unlabelled. Charlotte discovered the notebooks and insisted
Emily to publish the poems. At first, Emily rejected but she changed her
mind when her sister, Anna brought her own manuscript and revealed that
she had written poems in secret.
The poems were published in
one volume as Poem by Currer, Ellis and Acton Bell. The book only sold a
few copies.
(ads)
After Published Ellis Bell, Emily Bronte published her work
Wuthering Heights. She died of tuberculosis on December 19, 1848, nearly
two months after her brother, Branwell, succumbed to the same disease. Her
sister Anne also fell ill and died of tuberculosis the following May.
Emily
Bronte never knew her achievement with her only novel because she died a
year after the publication.
Wuthering Heights is now considered
as classic novel of English Literature.
BACKGROUND
Wuthering Heights is a classical novel that revolves around love, fantasy,
Gothicism, and revenge. The central character, Heatchliff, has cruel
figure. He is very sadistic taking vengeance on people who have hurt him.
Revenge blinds his heart blind, anger darkens it and hatred makes it boil
excessively until he exerts vengeance on his offenders.
PLOT SUMMARY
The story began with a man named Lockwood who visited the home of his
landlord, Heathcliff, to rent the house called Thrushcross Grange.
Heathcliff lived in a house called Wuthering Heights, about four miles
away from Thrushcross Grange. Wuthering Heights and everything inside of
it brought a big curiosity for Lockwood so he asked Nelly Dean, a servant
in Thrushcross Grange who used to be servant in Wuthering Heights, to tell
the story. Nelly told the story and jumped into the past. Nelly started to
work as a servant in Mr. Earnshaw (the owner of the Wuthering Heights) as
a young girl.
One day, Mr. Earnshaw had a trip to Liverpool and
brought home an orphan named Heathcliff. Mr. Earnshaw took care of
Heathcliff and raised him with his own children, Hindley and Catherine.
Catherine loved him, but Hindley did not like him because of his jealousy
toward Heathcliff for what his father had done to him. After Mrs. Earnshaw
died, Mr.Earnshaw sent Hindley away to college in order to make Heathcliff
safe from Hindley. He kept Heathcliff nearby and became his favourite son.
A few moments later, Mr. Earnshaw died and Hindley returned back to
Wuthering Heights with his wife, Frances. Having gone a long time for
college did not change Hindley's cruelty toward Heathcliff. Hindley
decided to make Heathcliff '5 life miserable and treated him as a servant.
On the other side, Catherine and Heathcliff became closer.
(ads)
One night, Catherine and Heathcliff played and wandered to
Thruscross Grange. There lived Linton family. Suddenly, Catherine was
bitten by a dog and she was forced to stay in Thruscross Grange by Mrs.
Linton for five weeks. Catherine became closer with Edgar Linton, the son
of Mrs Linton and her relationship with Heathcliff became more
complicated. Frances dies after giving birth to a son, Hareton. Hindley
becomes an alcoholic because of his wife's death and also becomes more
abusive toward Heathcliff.
Heathcliff turns miserable when his
only love, Catherine gets engaged to Edgar Linton because of social class.
Heathcliff decides to stay away from Wuthering Heights and goes away for
three years. He returns with much money and discovers that Catherine has
married Edgar Linton. His return was to take revenge on Hindley.
Heatchliff lends money to Hindley because he knows that Hindley can not
pay the debts therefore when Hindley died, he could acquire Wuthering
Heights. Now a wealthy gentleman, Heathcliff encourages Isabella Linton's
infatuation with him and they later marry. The relationship was more
complicated when Heathcliff married Issabela Linton because he does not
really love her but to acquire Thruscross Grange and Edgar's wealth.
Catherine
takes ill and soon dies after giving birth to baby girl who is named
Cathy. Unable to resist Heathcliff's cruelty any longer, Isabella runs
away to London and gives birth to Heathcliff's son whom she named Linton
Heathcliff. One day, little Cathy wanders through the moors and discovers
Wuthering Heights. In Wuthering Heights she meets Hareton and becomes
friend with him. Hareton becomes an uneducated man because of Heathcliff's
revenge on Hindley.
After that, Isabella Linton dies and Linton
Heathcliff comes back to Wuthering Heights and lived with Heathcliff.
Later, Cathy meets Linton and begins a secret romance with him. Linton
asks her to visit and nurse him. Later, it is revealed that Linton asked
little Catherine to nurse him because he is forced by Heathcliff. Sick
Linton would be used by Heathcliff as a reason for revenge because if
Linton married little Catherine, his claim upon Thrusscross Grange would
be legal and his revenge upon Edgar Linton would be complete.
(ads)
One day, Heathcliff arranged meeting between Linton and Cathy where
they meet Heathcliff who imprisons little Catherine and forces her to
marry Linton. Soon after, Edgar dies and sick Linton also gives up the
ghost paving way for Heathcliff who controls both Wuthering Heights and
Thrusscross Grange. Little Cathy lives in Wuthering Heights as a common
servant and Thrusscross Grange is rented to Mr. Lockwood. Nelly's story is
finished and Lockwood ends his tenancy toward Wuthering Heights. Six
months later, he comes back to visit Nelly and found out that Heathcliff
is dead. Hareton and little Cathy inherit both Wuthering Height and
Thrusscross Grange. They plan to marry on New Year's Day. After hearing
the story, Lockwood visits Heathcliff and Catherine's grave.
MAJOR EVENTS
Mr Earnshaw Brings Heathcliff to Wuthering Heights
This event is central to the story as Heathcliff is taken off the streets
into a family. Also, this is important because bringing Heathcliff into
the family will trigger anger and hate inside of Hindley. Another
significance of this action is that it births the love adventure between
Catherine and Heathcliff.
Hindley Comes Back from College to Wuthering Heights
Hindley comes back to Wuthering Heights with his new wife Frances, Hindley
is completely in love with her and will do anything for her. Hindley also
comes back with anger towards Heathcliff. The death of Earnshaw also
affords Hindley to show gross animosity to Heathcliff which will pave the
way for other events to take their course fully.
(ads)
Catherine Gets Attacked by the Linton's Dog
This event adds a sudden twist which further intensifies the plot of the
story. Catherine is attacked by the Linton's dog and the Lintons offer to
let her stay in the house until she heals. Catherine accepts the offer and
she is taught how to be proper. When she comes back from Thrushcross
Grange, she acts differently.
Frances Dies
Frances' death is important to the book because after she dies, Hindley
becomes extremely depressed. While trying to cope with his depression, he
starts to drink excessively. He becomes an acholic and is an awful father
figure for Heathcliff and Catherine.
Heathcliff Runs Away From Wuthering Heights
Heathcliff runs away after hearing a conversation between Catherine and
Nelly but Heathcliff does not know that Catherine never meant to say
anything mean about Heathcliff. Catherine spends the whole night looking
for Heathcliff. By the time Catherine comes back inside, she is very
sick
(ads)
Catherine and Edgar Get Married
Catherine does not truly love Edgar but she marries his because of his
social status. The union really hurts the relationship between Heathcliff
and Catherine. This makes Heathcliff determine to have his revenge on
Edgar.
Heathcliff Marries Isabella
Heathcliff marriage to Isabella is not borne out of love but a subtle
vengeance mission. Edgar tries to discourage his sister from marrying him
but she is resolute. Edgar disowns Isabella who does not know how awful
Heathcliff is until it is too late as they are already married.
Heathcliff Imprisons Cathy and Nelly
Heathcliff keeps Nelly and Cathy locked up in Wuthering Heights until
Cathy marries Linton. Linton becomes rude and mean. Nelly is locked up in
Wuthering Heights longer than Cathy.
Linton and Cathy Get Married
Cathy agrees to marry Linton though she does not love him as she used to.
This is important because she mostly agrees to Linton so she can see her
father before he dies.
Mr Lockwood Comes to Wuthering Heights
The significance of this event is that it reveals the stories between the
families living at Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange. Even though
Mr Lockwood is nosy, he is very helpful to figuring out the story behind
Heathcliff, Cathy and others living at Wuthering Heights. It is also
important because we learn about Nelly's personality.
(ads)
THEMES
REVENGE
The idea of revenge is a major element in the novel - Hindley is revenged
on Heathcliff for being displaced from their father's affection, and
Heathcliff takes his revenge on everyone - on Hindley for his cruelty, on
Catherine for marrying someone else, on the Lintons for taking Catherine
away from him and on Hareton because he's the son of his enemy.
Edgar
Linton also takes revenge on his sister for marrying Heathcliff by cutting
her off and refusing to have any contact with her, which is harsh since
she has no one else to turn to after she discovers Heathcliff's true,
cruel nature. However, Edgar does not take it to extremes: he agrees to
her dying wish that her son Linton should come to live at Thrushcross
Grange.
Revenge becomes a cycle: the cruelty that Hindley
inflicts on Heathcliff results in Heathcliff's return to take Hindley's
wealth; Heathcliff also treats Hindley's son Hareton with the same
cruelty, denying him education and class, and turning him into a labourer
on the land. The only way to break the cycle is through love - the love
between the younger Catherine and Hareton. Their likeness to Catherine
stops Heathcliff from continuing with his vengeful plan, which is
unspecified, and instead he becomes obsessed with Catherine and her
ghost.
(ads)
NATURE VERSUS CIVILIZATION
This theme is part of the Romantic aspect to the book Taking place out in
the wilds of the Yorkshire moors, the novel is set well away from the
staid and civilised centres of Victorian society.
There are
many ways in which you can see the opposition explored in the novel. You
could argue that Heathcliff, the wild orphan boy who loves the moors,
represents nature, whereas the middle-class family he joins are
civilisation. Alternatively, both nature and civilisation can be seen in
Catherine - she runs wild and natural on the moors, until she hurts her
ankle; when she returns from the Linton household she is civilised,
symbolically dressed in white, and frightened of her dress getting dirty.
The conflict between nature and civilisation can be blamed for the failure
of Catherine to marry Heathcliff, leading to the unhappiness that is
visited on everyone.
The final happy ending comes with the
combination of nature and civilisation, as represented by the younger
Catherine and Hareton. Hareton is raised be a completely natural person,
because Heathcliff refuses to let him be 'civilised' by education, books
or manners (although the fact that Hareton tries to read anyway is a sign
that he is searching for civilisation).
(ads)
Catherine begins as the completely civilised child, although she
loves the outdoors. At the end of the novel the pair move smoothly from a
reading lesson to walking together on the moors, ending the opposition
between the two themes.
SUPERNATURAL
The supernatural is symbolised in the ghost of Catherine, who Lockwood
hears as the novel opens, and the sighting of the spirits of Catherine and
Heathcliff together as the novel closes. The powerful scene of
Heathcliff's grief after Catherine's death leads to him calling on her
sprit to walk the earth and haunt him rather than rest peacefully. Her
spirit does seem to haunt him towards the end of his life, as he says he
sees her "in every cloud, in every tree", but this makes him "happy".
Nelly
Dean envisages Heathcliff as a goblin, a ghoul and a vampire, wondering
where he came from to create such destruction within the family. As he is
an orphan of unknown origin she can imagine him coming from some strange,
unnatural parentage.
(ads)
However, she realises that it is only superstition: is this
supernatural "black thing" a metaphor for the darkness in Heathcliff's
character? Isabella also calls Heathcliff a "monster", suggesting he is
not human. Hindley also accuses Hareton of regarding him as a "goblin".
The
Gothic elements are not emphasised, but they are treated as genuine -
Lockwood, depicted as the proper, clear-headed outsider, is the one to
first witness the supernatural.
LOVE
In Wuthering Heights, several kinds of love stories can be found, such us
between Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw, Catherine Earnshaw and Edgar
Linton, and little Catherine and Hareton Earnshaw. Nevertheless, love
story between Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw seems to be the centre of
Wuthering Heights. Catherine and Heathcliff's passion for one another is
very strong. They have love power beyond ordinary people. Catherine, even
though she has married Edgar Linton, still loves
(ads)
Heathcliff so much. Catherine thinks that marriage cannot separate them
because they are a soul mate and cannot possibly live apart. As Catherine
said "whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same, and
Linton's is as different as a moonbeam from lightning, or frost from fire"
Even at the end of Catherine's life, at the time of her illness she only
remembers Heathcliff. When she is dying, the person she wants to meet is
still Heathcliff, not Edgar her husband.
CHARACTERS
Heathcliff
Heathcliff becomes one of the strengths of the novel Wuthering Heights.
This is because Heathcliff is interesting character. Heathcliff is dynamic
character which his physical appearance and characteristics develop from
the beginning into the end of the novel.
Heathcliff is a little
orphan that is found in the Liverpool Street by Mr.Earnshaw. He is tall,
dark and athletic. He also has a black hair and thick brow. When he first
enters Wuthering Heights, Nelly Dean describes him as a dirty and ragged
child with a black hair, "I had a peep at a dirty, ragged, blackhaired
child; big enough both to walk and talk". However, after three years of
his absence since he has left Wuthering Height, he has transformed. He is
no longer a dirty kid, he becomes a handsome, tall, athletic and
intelligent man. Nelly describes Heathcliff as follows: "He had grown a
tall, athletic, well-formed man; beside whom [Edgar] seemed quite slender
and youth- Iike. His upright carriage suggested the idea of his having
been in the army. His countenance was much older in expression and
decision of feature than Mr. Linton's; it looked intelligent, and retained
no marks of former degradation. A half-civilised ferocity lurked yet in
the depressed brows and eyes full of black fire, but it was subdued; and
his manner was even dignified: quite divested of roughness, though stern
for grace". Heathcliff's character also develops. This is what makes
Heathcliff character interesting. At first, Heathcliff is a patient and
though child.
Even though hisjealous stepbrother always
mistreats and bullies him throughout his childhood, Heathcliff accepts it
because Catherine is always there for him. That makes the misery more
bearable for Heathcliff. When Hindley becomes master of Wuthering Height
after the death of Mr.Earnshaw, he becomes more abusive toward Heathcliff.
Hindley degrades Heathcliff into a common servant and stops his education.
Being mistreated by Hindley, he wants to seek revenge toward Hindley. The
revenge culminates when he overhears the conversation between Catherine
and Nelly that Catherine will marry Edgar Linton due to social status. He
runs away, filled with hatred for all who have hurt him. When he comes
back to Wuthering Heights, he is totally different. He is no longer a poor
child, he changes into a cruel and abusive person. Heathcliff's revenge is
getting brutal, even to the Hindley and Egdar's younger generation. His
revenge story dominates the story and appears throughout the novel.
Catherine Earnshaw
Catherine Earnshaw is the main female protagonist of the novel "Wuthering
Heights". She is the daughter of Mr. Earnshaw , sister of Hindley, foster
sister and true love of Heathcliff , wife of Edgar, mother of Cathy .
There are basically two sides to Catherine: Catherine Earnshaw and
Catherine Linton. (She also fantasizes about a third, Catherine
Heathcliff-which her daughter later becomes.) Gorgeous and fiery with dark
curls and penetrating eyes, Catherine is a woman in conflict- she craves
the luxury, security, and serenity of ultra-civilized Edgar, even as she
runs wild across the moors with brooding
and unkempt Heathcliff.
While Catherine is wild, willful and passionate, she also possesses a
double character. Her five-week sojourn at the Grange awakens in her an
appreciation of the civilized world. When she returns to the Heights, both
manner and appearance have changed and is shocked in the appearance of
Heathcliff and Edgar. From then on, Catherine adopts a split personality -
an amusing lady-like disposition in the company of the Lintons and
returning to her wild passionate self when accompanied by Heathcliff. The
duality of Catherine's character revealed a crisis point with her
marriage
to Edgar - the one event in the novel above all others which determine the
futures of the central characters. Catherine's marriage to him is a
betrayal of her nature. Not only has she broken with her kindred spirit,
Heathcliff, but she has physically removed herself from the wildness and
freedom from the Heights and the crags. This choice made by Catherine
favored wealth, civilization and social position over her natural affinity
with the untamed, uncivilized world represented by Heathcliff.
(ads)
She loves Heathcliff with a huge and overwhelming passion. She is
impetuous, proud, and sometimes haughty. Catherine is a Heathcliff's
stepsister and Heathcliff's beloved. Catherine is very pretty, as Nelly
describes in the book with the booniest eye, the sweetest smile and she
also has long brown hair. Catherine becomes one of the strengths of the
novel because she has a very complex character. She betrays herself and,
in the end, it destroys herself. Catherine loves Heathcliff so much, she
said that Heathcliff is her soul and their love is so strong even death
can separate them. She also admits that her love for Linton will change
over time, but her love for Heathcliff will remain the same. She chooses
to marry Edgar Linton because Heacliff is below her social status and
getting married with Heathcliff isjust degrading her status. She marries a
man based on social class, and not love. It infuriates Heathcliff so much.
Her wrong choice to marry Edgar Linton and betraying her own feeling
ultimately destroys her, and she dies at an early age after giving birth
to a daughter.
NELLY
The main narrator of the novel is referred to as Ellen, her given name, to
show respect, and as Nelly among those close to her. The novel is from her
point of view; we see every character (aside from Lockwood ) through her
eyes. Nelly is a servant to three generations of the Earnshaws and two of
the Linton family. Humbly born, she regards herself nevertheless as
Hindley's foster-sister (they are the same age and her mother is his
nurse). She grows up with Hindley, Catherine, and Heathcliff and works at
both Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange. Nelly is confidante to
many, including both Catherines, Isabella , and even Heathcliff. She cares
for Hareton when he is an infant and is a mother figure to the younger
Cathy . Though a servant, she is educated and articulate. Frequently, she
does more than observe; she becomes very involved in her employers' lives.
Nelly has advanced not only house management and cleaning skills, but also
an innate ability for telling a good story. She is also a capable
caregiver. Above all else, Nelly is a gossip, not afraid of telling
stories and injecting herself into everyone else's business.
(ads)
It is unknown, though, how much of a liar Nelly is. Inconsistencies in
her
story lead many to believe that she has a higher opinion of
herself than others do. Nelly is a decent housekeeper and does have a
knack for taking care of children, especially those very young. Despite
her meddling, she is not a very good manipulator, as things very rarely go
her way. To analyze the narration made by Nelly, it is apparent that her
own life was accumulated with the life of Earnshwas, Lintons and
Heathcliff. Thus, her narration is not only a story of the people
mentioned there but also her own
autobiography. This narration is a
pretty much evident of her own life. She has nothing of her own separated
in the novel other than the related stories with the characters
discussed.
EDGAR LINTON
Introduced as a child in the Linton family, he resides at Thrushcross
Grange. Edgar's style and manners are in sharp contrast to those of
Heathcliff, who instantly dislikes him, and of Catherine, who is drawn to
him. Catherine marries him instead of Heathcliff because of his higher
social status, with disastrous results to all characters in the story. He
dotes on his wife and later his daughter.
ISABELLA LINTON
She is seen only in relation to other characters. She views Heathcliff
romantically, despite Catherine's warnings and becomes an unwitting
participantin his plot for revenge against Edgar. Heathcliff marries her
but treats her abusively. While pregnant, she escapes to London and gives
birth to a son, Linton. She entrusts her son to her brother Edgar when she
dies.
HINDLEY EARNSHAW
Catherine's elder brother, Hindley, despises Heathcliff immediately and
bullies him throughout their childhood before his father sends him away to
college. Hindley returns with his wife, Frances after Mr Earnshaw dies. He
is more mature but his hatred of Heathcliff remains the same. After
France's death, Hindley reverts to destructive behavior, neglects his son,
and ruins the Earnshaw family by drinking and gambling to excess.
Heathcliff beats Hindley up at one point after Hindley fails in his
attempt to kill Heathcliff with a pistol. He dies less than a year after
Catherine and leaves his son with nothing.
(ads)
HARETON EARNSHAW
The son of Hindley and Frances, raised at first by Nelly but soon by
Heathcliff. Joseph works to instill a sense of pride in the Earnshaw
heritage (even though Hareton will not inherit Earnshaw property, because
Hindley has mortgaged it to Heathcliff). Heathcliff, in contrast, teaches
him vulgarities as a way of avenging himself on Hindley. Hareton speaks
with an accent similar to Joseph's and occupies a position similar to that
of a servant at Wuthering Heights, unaware that he has been done out of
his inheritance. He can only read his name. In appearance, he reminds
Heathcliff of his aunt, Catherine.
LINTON HEATHCLIFF
The son of Heathcliff and Isabella. A weak child, his early years spent
with his mother in the south of England. He learns of his father's
identity and existence only after his mother dies, when he is twelve. In
his selfishness and capacity for cruelty he resembles Heathcliff;
physically, he resembles his mother. He marries Cathy Linton because his
father, who terrifies him, directs him to do so. He dies aftenNard from
illness related to tuberculosis.
JOSEPH
A servant at Wuthering Height for sixty years. He is rigid, self-righteous
Christian and lacks any trace of genuine kindness or humanity. He speaks a
broad Yorkshire dialect and hates nearly everyone in the novel.
MR AND MRS LINTON
They are Edgar and Isabella's parents who raise their children to be well
behaved, educated and sophisticated. Mr Linton also serves as the
magistrate of Gimmerton, as his son does in later year.
MR AND MRS EARNSHAW
Catherine‘s and Hindley's father, Mr Earnshaw is the master of Wuthering
Heights at the beginning of Nelly's story and is described as an irascible
but loving and kindhearted man. He favours his adopted son, Heathcliff,
which causes trouble in the family. In contrast, his wife mistrusts
Heathcliff from their first encounter.
ZILLAH
A servant to Heathcliff at Wuthering Heights during the period following
Catherine's death. Although she is kind to Lockwood, she doesn't like or
help Cathy at Wuthering Heights because of Cathy's arrogance and
Heathcliff's instruction.
FRANCES
Hindley's ailing wife and mother of Hareton Earnshaw. She is described as somewhat silly and is obviously from a humble family. Frances dies not long after the birth of her son.
Follow AaronsEasyLearning on Facebook
| Instagram | Threads | Telegram |
WhatsApp | 
WhatsApp Channel | YouTube & LinkedIn. | Twitter | Donate to AaronsEasyLearning
