Wuthering Heights-Bronte Essay, Research Paper

Critique- Wuthering Hieghts

Wuthering Hieghts is the prototype of all the gothic novels. It contains all the literary elements such as, symbolism, supernatural, and the dark solemn mood classic to all gothic novels. Although the book was well written and rich with literary devices, it did not retain my attention. Wuthering Heights is unique for many reasons. It is told by several different narrators, including Nelly Dean and Lockwood. It is also told as a flashback, not entirely in chronological order. The language used by Nelly seems particularly improbable; coming as it does from a housekeeper, no matter how well read she may be. It seems improbable; in addition, that Nelly should recall so many conversations verbatim after a period of many years. The images in the novel, which are vivid and powerful, contribute to its style. The figures of speech are effective. Nelly describes Edgar’s reluctance to leave the Heights after his quarrel with Catherine through a powerful metaphor: “He possessed the power to depart, as much as a cat possesses the power to leave a mouse half killed, or a bird half eaten.” Another essential component of this novel was the use in symbolism. A theme of the novel is love, especially that of Catherine and Heathcliff. It is the product of their rebellion against Hindley and Joseph and the natural result of their compatibility. Their love is realized only after death, but carried on symbolically by young Cathy and Hareton. In these ways, and many others, images and symbols in Wuthering Heights add meaning to characters, theme, tone, and mood.