Wuthering Heights: Quotes with analysis

Wuthering Heights Quotes and Essay points

With reference to Catherines death-

Edgar: subject too painful to be dwelt on Heathcliff: dashing his head against a knotted tree. Edgar responds more rationally, which could be a product of his upbringing and social class. His sadness is quiet and reserved much like his love for Catherine which never seems to be able to compete with Heathcliffs love for her. Heathcliff has a violent despair which could also be linked to his shadowy upbringing- his background is unknown before he is adopted by the Earnshaws. He is never given a secure social status which is reflected with his expressive and dramatic sadness. It suggests he is a loose wire with no self control.

Edgars grief is in the bounds of Thrushcross Grange whilst Heathcliff remains outside, He was there- at least a few yards further in the park;. This could reflect their personalities; Edgar as an introvert and Heathcliff as an extrovert. Edgar watches over the coffin a silent guardian whilst Heathcliff gives into convention and is forced outside. He grieves on the moors where he and Catherine were happiest. Thrushcross Grange could be taken to represent Catherines coffin as the love between her and Heathcliff died with her decision to marry Edgar. The physical distance between the couple reflecting upon their emotional distance. Her coffin is said to be open-topped and strewn with flowers

Wuthering Heights Revision Notes

which suggests vulnerability; once she is buried she will be exposed to the harsh weather of the moors. Pathetic fallacy is used in this way throughout the novel to presage the negativity associated with future events. Edgar is capable of containing his emotion unlike Heathcliff who shows ungovernable passion The death of Catherine ends their lives as they know them.

Edgars appearance is almost as deathlike as Catherine, his countenance of a typical mourner, he could be in denial, although it could be argued that his state reflected a feeling of relief. During Edgars married life he was constantly subject to his wifes openly unconditional love towards Heathcliff- a measure of affection he could never compete with. With her death they became free of the destructive feelings they were harbouring. Heathcliff is described as a savage beast which suggests he has been rejected from society.

Edgar is described as fair which juxtaposes Heathcliffs darkness; and although this description evokes ideas involving tranquillity, compassion and romance, the love between Catherine and Edgar appears to have very little substance. This questions traditional views on love at the time the novel was written; as Bronte infused elements of gothic and romantic literature and created the tempestuous relationship between Catherine and Heathcliff. Wuthering Heights combines these elements in an epic romantic novel unlike any other, and in some aspects, rewriting, and giving an ominous feel to the connotation of the word love. The Anguish of Heathcliff-

Wuthering Heights: Quotes with analysis

Heathcliff lashes out at a tree when he learns of Catherines death; this act of physical violence shows his internal torment and his inability to voice his emotions as they are far too powerful. His speech is confused, lacks concentration and is fractured.

He refers to Catherine as Catherine Earnshaw rather than Linton. This could be a denial of her marriage to Edgar, knowing that the love they shared was stronger and had more significance in Catherines life. He knew their love although physically prevented, would survive Catherines death.

Heathcliff calls upon Catherine to haunt him; this can be linked to chapter 3 where Catherine appears to Lockwood, at the window. This shows they have a spiritual connection- Heathcliff does not need to be told of Catherines death, he already knows. This again, can be linked to Catherines speech in chapter 6, I am Heathcliff whereas Heathcliff refers to her as his life, his soul.

This can be taken to mark Heathcliffs decent into madness, he is assigned animalistic characteristics, this could be related to his lack of preparation for Catherines death- he was unable to visit her before she died, words had been left unsaid.

Social and Historical Context-

Wuthering Heights Revision Notes

The Earnshaws and Lintons were members of the gentry, where social status was fragile and dependant upon wealth and possessions. Whilst actually being of the same status, the two families could be considered on opposite ends of the spectrum, as the Earnshaws status is continually compromised, this exemplified by the addition of Heathcliff. This can be related to Marxist views on the rise of the proletariat.

The novel portrays a dominance of women; Catherine is strong and independent, which could be representative of Bronte. Could this also represent the rise of the proletariat? Catherine is held in contrast with Isabella who could be taken to represent a hyperbolised Victorian woman- incredibly nave, emotionally weak, and under-developed character. She is often perceived as adjunct to Catherine, although she is essential to create such compelling contrast.

The novel, alike the characters, opposed the social norms of the Victorian era. Charlotte Brontes Jane Eyre won immediate acclaim whereas Wuthering Heights initially failed, as its target audience could form no similarities between reality and the fictitious world enveloped in the pages of Wuthering Heights.

Winifred Gerin: the novels theme of indestructibility of the spirit was a subject far removed from the general run of Victorian fiction. In the case of the novel, social acceptance was of the utmost importance as it

Wuthering Heights: Quotes with analysis

was the main determinant in relation to the success of the novel.

At the time of the industrial revolution- the characters were resisting the progression of society by remaining at one with nature, especially Catherine and Heathcliff. The desolate Yorkshire moors could be taken to represent a regression of society?

Inheritance passes from father to the first-born male unless strict-settlement in invoked. This assists Heathcliffs rise to power.

Brontes home, Haworth, was particularly affected by the changing socioeconomic conditions due to the industrial revolution, as identified by Marxist, Terry Eagleton.

Heathcliff acts as a catalyst which leads to Isabellas extreme fixation, an example of male dominance. Terry Eagleton: Heathcliff, the outsider has no social or biological place the existing social structure; he offers Catherine a non-social relationship, an escape from the conventional restrictions and material comforts of the upper classes, represented by the genteel Lintons.

Wuthering Heights Revision Notes

Wuthering Heights as a Gothic Novel

Setting in a castle which is often seemingly abandoned: Although Wuthering Heights is not a castle, the implications are still the same; it is enveloped in an air of mystery. Its inhabitants, most notably Heathcliff, are renowned for being recluses, strangers to life away from the moors. This contrast with real life is clearest in Lockwoods visit.

An atmosphere of mystery and suspense as a result of an ancient prophecy, omens, portents, visions or supernatural or inexplicable events: History and the past plays a huge part in Wuthering Heights, the relationship between Catherine and Heathcliff is present in and affects every detail in the novel. The limited knowledge the audience has of Heathcliffs background prior to being adopted into the Earnshaw family adds to this air of mystery. Arguably the most significant event in this category is the appearance of Catherines ghost. Whilst the presence of a ghost is alarming in itself, the fact that her ghost was never credited as genuine accelerates any anticipation.

High, even overwrought emotion: This is presented in the character of Catherine Earnshaw and in her relationship with Heathcliff and is exaggerated by the subdued nature of the Lintons with whom they form great contrast.

Wuthering Heights: Quotes with analysis

Women in distress and/or threatened by a powerful, impulsive, tyrannical male: This could easily apply to Isabella, who is treated cruelly by her husband, Heathcliff. Whilst it could be argued that Isabellas character is too minor to have sufficient significance, it helps show the extent of Heathcliffs control; not only does he abuse Isabella, but his marriage to her results in her brother, Edgar, disowning her. Opposing this is the character of Catherine who supports more masculine traits.

The metonymy of gloom and horror: Starting with the title of the novel, the negativity within is portrayed by the word Wuthering suggesting weakness and death oxymoronically with Heights which suggests power and grandeur. This point is reiterated throughout the novel by its characters; for example, Heathcliff is described by Lockwood as solitary ; and by the weather through the use of pathetic fallacy, which constantly echoes the melancholy atmosphere.

Gothic novels are usually set in countries such as France or Italy: Although the Yorkshire moors escape the typical climate of Gothic novels, it is interesting to note the heritage of one of the main components of Wuthering Heights. Whilst little is known of Heathcliffs background, it is implied that he doesnt share the same typical English look as the Lintons and Earnshaws. Foreign countries were used as the setting for many gothic novels because they

Wuthering Heights Revision Notes

appeared mysterious to the English who seldom travelled outside their country.

Powerful love and lovers parted: Which are the fundaments of Catherine and Heathcliffs relationship, as well as the key ideas of the novel as a whole.

Rival lovers and the uncertainty of reciprocation: This idea is present in the love triangle between Catherine, Edgar and Heathcliff. Whilst Heathcliff is the only man truly in Catherines heart, this is compromised when she chooses to marry Edgar in order to gain wealth and status.

Illicit love/Lust: Like the initial relationship between Isabella and Heathcliff. This can be linked to the idea of innocent young women, often bereft of a mother or guardian, being abused by a powerful man. Yet in great contrast with this, the relationship between Catherine and Heathcliff is strangely platonic- there are no apparent sexual elements to their love.

Wuthering Heights: Quotes with analysis

In gothic novels, the protagonist is typically portrayed as possessing both a heros and villains qualities. Satanic Hero- their nefarious deeds and their justifications make them more interesting. It is said that the satanic hero originates from romantic misreadings of John Miltons Paradise Lost. Promethean Hero- a hero whose success stems purely from performing an overreaching or rebellious act. Frankenstein is titled The Modern Prometheus from Greek mythology. Byronic Hero- a later variation of the antithetically mixed villain-hero, they are noted for being attractive, charismatic and mysterious. Heathcliff could be considered a prodigy with significant elements of all three of these villain-heroes. Most obviously, the way he cruelly, although very intelligently, uses people, and their wealth and status to gain his own power could lead to interpretations of Heathcliff as a promethean hero. However, he also possesses the aesthetic qualities of a Byronic hero.

Wuthering Heights Revision Notes

Anti-Catholicism: The idea of anti-Catholicism is present the conflict between Joseph and the other characters in the novel. Heathcliff in particular, is frequently described in somewhat satanic terms.

Doppelgangers: Although doppelgangers are not strictly present in Wuthering Heights the relationship between Catherine and Cathy could be compared to this. The similarities between mother and daughter are undeniable and could partly explain Edgars protectiveness towards Cathy- he strives to protect her from Heathcliff and the Heights as he could not protect her mother.

Dreaming and nightmares to illustrate emotions on a more unmediated level, and foretelling future events: This idea is very clear in the novel; the ghost of Catherine visits Mr Lockwood in a dream, which evokes Freudian interpretations. Catherine and Heathcliff portray signs of the id, explained by Freud to be the childish, pleasure seeking element of personality. - Moser.

Necromancy: Again, the idea is present with the ghost of Catherine, and the belief that she and

Wuthering Heights: Quotes with analysis

Heathcliff will be reunited after death.

Unreliable narrators: Nelly and Lockwood in Wuthering Heights, who offer personal assumptions on situations.

Wuthering Heights Revision Notes

CatherineThe world of the novel is testament to her character, but it is testament to a character that can leave only the ghostly signs of itself behind- mortality, yet immortality. Fractured or fragmented social identity fails to combine two irreconcilable lives. I am Heathcliff cannot stabilise her own identity as Heathcliff is too complex and enigmatic. She is equally as powerful as Heathcliff but their powerful love destroys the lives of loved ones.

HeathcliffHis singular name separates him from normal social patterns. Romantic hero, transformation of a conventional world. He shares Byronic characteristics with Catherine. He is perceived as a gift and a threat upon arrival and this indecisiveness is reiterated in the relationships he forms. To Catherine he is both brother and lover, to Isabella he is both romantic hero and pitiless oppressor. This again is demonstrative of his entwined hero- villain qualities.

Wuthering Heights: Quotes with analysis

Wuthering Heights, What the Critics say-

The principle of storm- of the harsh, the ruthless, the wild, the dynamic, and the principle of calm- of the gentle the merciful, the passive and the tame in spite of their apparent opposition these principles are no confliction Cecil, 1958. Like Heathcliff, we see a juxtaposition of characteristics.

Catherine, who does not expect to inherit, responds spontaneously to Heathcliffs presence; a spiritual orphan as Heathcliff is a literal one. Eagleton.

Emily Bronte makes it clear for her the unforgivable sin consists in judging the human offences of others as forgivable - Shannon.

Wuthering Heights Revision Notes