Wuthering Heights A* Essay, Research Paper

Comparative Essay

Wuthering Heights

By Emily Bronte

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte is a novel which explores love and obsession. The Fishing-Boat Picture by Alan Sillitoe explores a relationship between two lovers who lack the ability to communicate with each other.

Wuthering Heights is set in England on the Yorkshire Moors in the nineteenth century. The setting is used throughout the novel to help set the mood to describe the characters. The reader finds two households separated by the cold, muddy, and barren moors, one by the name of Wuthering Heights, and the other Thrushcross Grange. Each house stands alone in the midst of the dreary land which creates a mood of isolation. These two places are very different in their appearance and mood. Wuthering Heights and its surroundings depict a cold and dark atmosphere with the inhabitants being that of the working class. In contrast Thrushcross Grange is situated in the valley and is filled with light and warmth. Thrushcross Grange is described as,

a splendid place carpeted with Crimson covered chairs and tables, and a pure white ceiling bordered by gold.

Wuthering Heights is dominated by the terrible figure of Heathcliff who seeks revenge when he is betrayed. The two main characters of the story Heathcliff and Catherine grew up together on Wuthering Heights. Catherine Earnshaw is daughter to the owner of Wuthering Heights, Mr. Earnshaw. Catherine and Heathcliff were the best of friends, a friendship that turned to love with time. Heathcliff, because of his social class was often judged by strangers and even members of his adopted family as being, A wicked boy, at all events, and quite unfit for a decent house. Because of his childhood disturbances and harsh treatment, Heathcliff became a very hardened person filled with rage and dark features. He is described as having,

black eyes withdrawn so suspiciously under their brow. As a child Catherine was always misbehaving.

Her spirits were always as high as a water mark, her tongue always going – singing, laughing and plaguing everybody who would not do the same. A wild, wicked slip she was – but had the bonniest eye, and the sweetest smile. She, on her side had everything in common with Heathcliff, wild, lustful, and impulsive. Catherine and Heathcliff soon fell passionately in love with each other.

Hindley who is Mr. Earnshaw s son and Catherine s older brother resented the way Heathcliff seemed to usurp his place in his father s affections and also disliked Heathcliff s relationship with Catherine. When Mr Earnshaw died and Hindley became master of Wuthering Heights he revenged himself on Heathcliff by degrading him into becoming an uncouth servant and subjecting him to every indignity. Heathcliffe endured it because he was so passionately in love with Catherine and wanted to stay near her.

Despite her love for Heathcliff, Catherine had accepted a proposal from Edgar Linton, heir to the neighbouring estate Thrushcross Grange, in the hope of elevating her social standing. Heathcliff overheard Catherine discussing the marriage and became dreadfully upset. He left and could not be found.

In Wuthering Heights , Heathcliff…

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