Themes: Nature and Romanticism
Wuthering Heights takes place in Yorkshire, a region in the north of England well-known for its dramatic natural landscape. The harsh moorland setting of the novel is as important to the plot as the characters, and some scholars go as far as to say the setting is as much a character as any of the named humans. The wildness of the landscape echoes the rebellious and willful nature of characters like Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff, and their tempestuous love affair develops and intensifies against the natural backdrop of the moors. Catherine, Heathcliff, and Catherine’s brother Hindley are all capable of powerful emotion and hostility towards one another and towards others. Their stormy natures are reflected in the nature that surrounds them, and this intermingling of personal qualities and geographical details is typical of Romantic literature. Brontë’s decision to align the natural details of the surrounding wild geography with her human characters elevates both elements of the novel, emphasizing independence and rebelliousness of spirit—both of which are considered important values in Romantic literature.
As the natural landscape is such a prominent character in Wuthering Heights, the presence of supernatural—and therefore decidedly unnatural—beings like Catherine’s ghost and the Hindley’s apparition makes for a shocking juxtaposition, though Gothic elements that hint at the presence of the supernatural are another classic feature of Romanticism. Throughout Wuthering Heights, readers will notice that Wuthering Heights straddles multiple literary movements, including Romanticism, Gothic tradition, and Victorian literary realism.
Expert Q&A
What does Penistone Crag symbolize for Cathy and Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights?
For Cathy and Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights, Penistone Crag symbolizes the freedom and wildness of their childhood. It represents a space where social norms can be breached, allowing them to act freely despite their differences. Cathy’s delirious mention of Penistone Crag as a fairy cave underscores its enchantment and the yearning for the liberation they experienced there.
How does Emily Bronte characterize ideals and nature in Wuthering Heights?
Emily Brontë characterizes ideals and nature as central themes in Wuthering Heights, using the English moors to symbolize the sublime, untamed beauty of nature. Characters such as Heathcliff and Catherine embody this sublime nature, contrasting with the oppressive civilization represented by their homes. Nature offers freedom and escape from societal constraints, while human nature's destructive tendencies mirror the wild landscape. This interplay highlights the conflict between nature and civilization, and the inner turmoil of the characters.
What do Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange represent? Is their opposition reconciled by the end?
Wuthering Heights symbolizes wildness and freedom, reflecting characters like Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff, while Thrushcross Grange represents decorum and order, akin to the Linton family. The stark contrast between these locations mirrors the clash between untamed passion and refined civility. This opposition is ultimately reconciled through the union of young Catherine Linton and Hareton Earnshaw, suggesting a blending of both worlds by the novel's end.
How does this passage from the first chapter connect to the theme of nature?
...the atmospheric tumult to which its station is exposed in stormy weather. Pure, bracing ventilation they must have up there at all times, indeed: one may guess the power of the north wind blowing over the edge, by the excessive slant of a few stunted firs at the end of the house; and by a range of gaunt thorns all stretching their limbs one way, as if craving alms of the sun...
What does the heavy rain symbolize at the end of Wuthering Heights?
The heavy rain at the end of Wuthering Heights symbolizes renewal and the resolution of turmoil. As Heathcliff is found dead, soaked by rain, it suggests the end of the "storm" of his life, washing away his earthly pain. Set in spring, the rain signifies new beginnings, suggesting that Heathcliff may find peace in another world. This aligns with the novel's theme of nature reflecting emotional states, transitioning from stormy passions to peaceful resolution.
What is the significance of animal references and Heathcliff's animal-like behavior in Wuthering Heights?
How does Wuthering Heights use nature to explore human relationships?
Nature is used to contrast the relationship of Catherine and Heathcliff with that of Catherine and Linton. The first is deep-rooted, unchanging, rugged, wild, and elemental. The second is weak, changeable, and domesticated, and represents a situation in which Catherine is unlikely to thrive.
Romanticism and Realism in Wuthering Heights
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë masterfully intertwines Romanticism and Realism. Romantic elements include a deep connection to nature, intense emotions, the Byronic hero archetype in Heathcliff, and supernatural aspects. Realism is evident in the portrayal of family dysfunction, abuse, and societal issues, such as class and gender roles. The novel's setting and characters embody Romantic ideals, while Brontë's realistic narrative style and character flaws challenge Victorian norms, creating a complex, enduring literary work.
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