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Wuthering Heights

by Emily Brontë

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What do the two houses in Wuthering Heights represent?

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The two houses in Wuthering Heights, Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange, each represent different aspects of oppressive patriarchy. The old, dilapidated Wuthering Heights represents the destructive effects of alcohol on family relationships, as seen in Hindley's treatment of his family. The more modern and elegant Thrushcross Grange represents a more subtle form of oppression, which masks itself in opulence to hide its true nature.

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The two houses in Wuthering Heights are the Earnshaws' rugged sixteenth-century farm, called Wuthering Heights, and the Linton's more gracious and modern home, Thrushcross Grange. Each house represents different aspects of an oppressive patriarchy that warps human relationships.

The distortions and abuses of patriarchy are more apparent in the Earnshaw home. There, the family suffers under the alcoholic Hindley, who is the head of the household and makes everyone's life a misery. Joseph, although a servant, also takes on another aspect of oppressive patriarchy: he acts as the arbiter of God's will, forcing the young Cathy and Heathcliff to endure his long sermons and constantly telling them they are going to hell. He uses a patriarchal, vengeful notion of God as a way to try to frighten and control them.

The patriarchal oppression of the Linton household can be harder to see. The household is far more beautiful and gracious,...

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with plaster walls painted white, crystal chandeliers, and red velvet furniture. Nobody is a raving alcoholic. However, as Catherine learns when Linton bars Heathcliff from the house, the gentle Linton is quite willing to use his patriarchal power to have his way, no matter how much it hurts her.

Further, a distorted patriarchy has invaded the household in the form of Isabella romanticizing the brutal Heathcliff into a Byronic hero. He takes advantage of her delusions about love, romance, and a strong male sweeping her off her feet to elope with her. It is only after she is married that Isabella learns too late that the brutal love language he used (and his hanging of her dog) is mirrored by an abusive hate and brutality towards her that she can do nothing about.

Patriarchal social relationships, represented by both houses, destroy human relationships. Only in the freedom of the moors can Catherine and Heathcliff find joy.

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What is the significance of the two houses in Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights?

The houses to which you refer are Wuthering Heights, home of the Earnshaw family, and Thrushcross Grange, home of the Linton family.   Both houses are family estates located in the Yorkshire moors of England.  This areas was an open, marshy area with few people living close together.

These houses serve as a contrast to each other and represent the way of life of the inhabitants.  As the novel opens, the reader sees Wuthering Heights through the eyes of Lockwook; it is a dark, creepy, angry and unhappy place.  This reflects the figuratively dark natures of its inhabitants, Heathcliff, Catherine Linton and Hareton.  From the death of Mr. Earnshaw, the Heights has been filled with death, revenge, and anger.

Thrushcross Grange, however, is not filled with such hate.  It represents happiness and beauty.  The lights are bright; the house is filled with music, and the family entertains frequently.The Linton family is introduced as mirthful and genuine.  In fact, Catherine is drawn to it because of this, which sparks the animosities between the two families.

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