Essay about Social Classes in Wuthering Heights - 1105 Words

Social Classes in Wuthering Heights Wuthering Heights, a gothic novel written by Emily Bronte in the early nineteenth century, describes the conflict and the passionate bond between Catherine Earnshaw and her rough but romantic lover, Heathcliff. In the beginning of the book, Heathcliff, an orphan is made a part of the Earnshaw family. This adoption is not readily accepted by the older brother, Hindley, who sees the new child as a rival to his claim of dominance in the family. However, Catherine, the sister is quickly attracted to young Heathcliff, so different from anyone she had ever known. As the two grow older, Heathcliff finds himself falling in love with Catherine. Mr. Earnshaw soon dies, leaving Hindley in charge of the†¦show more content†¦Heathcliff is so desperate for acceptance that he is willing to cheat people to gain the property he craves. By doing so he hopes to show Catherine that he is worthy of her, a landowner in his own right. After Catherine accepts Edgars proposal, she seeks out Nelly and tells here that [I]t would degrade [her] to marry Heathcliff now; so he shall never know how [she] love[s] him; and that, not because hes handsome, Nelly, but because hes more [herself] than [she] [is]. Whatever [their] souls are made of, his and [hers] are the same, and Lintons is as different as a moonbeam from lightning, or frost from fire. (Page 74, lines 29 - 33). Heathcliff overhears this conversation between Nelly and Catherine and leaves Wuthering Heights after hearing Catherine say that it would degrade her to marry him. Heathcliff tries to make himself more presentable to Catherine by moving up the social system. However, he does this by cheating and taking advantage of people. Heathcliff takes advantage of Hindleys state of alcoholism and takes over Wuthering Heights. Heathcliff also takes advantage of Edgar Lintons will my making young Catherine (the daughter of Catherine Earnshaw and Edgar Linton) marry Linton (the son of Heathcliff and Isabella Linton) so he could acquire Thrushcross Grange (where Edgar Linton lives). Bronte seems to have mixed opinions of the lower class by characterizing Heathcliff positively and negatively. Lockwood,Show MoreRelatedClass and Gender in Wuthering Heights Essays704 Words   |  3 PagesEmily Bront#235;s novel Wuthering Heights. Social contrasts and gender boundaries create oppression and tension amongst the characters, affecting their composure and behaviour throughout the novel. The most obvious distinction between upper and lower classes is with the two settings; Thrushcross Grange and Wuthering Heights. Both places differ significantly in both disposition and appearance. The society in Wuthering Heights is that of the working class. Wuthering Heights is a worn out farm thatRead More`` Wuthering Heights `` By Emily Bronte1288 Words   |  6 PagesWuthering Heights, a celebrated classic of English literature, offers important social commentary that readers in modern times can relate to. Throughout Emily Brontà «Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s novel, the emphasis placed on the overbearing social pressures in society affected the characters’ sense of self and the course of their romantic relationships. In modern society, this underlying theme of social class differences in the novel parallels the prevalence of privilege in many aspects of our daily lives. Although today’sRead MoreExamples Of Social Class In Wuthering Heights768 Words   |  4 PagesWuthering Height s by Emily Bronte is a timeless tale that has remained relevant for over 100 years. The book focuses on issues that are still around such as social class in not only marriage but in life itself. The struggle of social class is what makes the book what it is and it helps the story develope. Without the poor choices based on judging someones social class there would be no Wuthering Heights. Bronte’s book is still relevant because no matter how hard society tries to ignore it and actRead MoreWhat Role Does Social Class and Class Ambiguity Play in Wuthering Heights?877 Words   |  4 PagesWhat role does social class and class ambiguity play in Wuthering Heights? The social class and class ambiguity in Emily Brontes novel Wuthering Heights is a key aspect when following the plot. When Heathcliff is first introduced Hindley, Hindley shows characteristics of dominants and superiorness. Bronte shows that Thrushcross Grange is a far superior manor to the farmhouse at Wuthering Heights by Catherines reasoning for marring Edgar. This outlines the difference in social class betweenRead MoreThe Juxtaposition Between Nature and Man in Wuthering Heights1318 Words   |  6 PagesSet at the end of the eighteenth century, Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontà « is a mysterious book that maintains the reader on the edge of their seat as Brontà « explores the dark side of love, revenge, and the juxtaposition between nature and man. But had Wuthering Heights been set in another time period, many situations-from Heathcliff’s arrival to the Earnshaw family to the union of Hareton and Cathy-may not have occurred. It should also be noted that many events consisted of an eerie, strange feelRead MoreWuthering Heights by Emily Bronte1290 Words   |  5 Pagesavenge (as oneself) usually by retaliating in kind or degree† (â€Å"revenge†) however to Heathcliff it meant more than just to avenge himself he wanted to have everything he felt he rightfully deserved and more. Social class and revenge, are primary themes in the novel Wuthering Heights. Social class plays a considerable part in the lives and loves of the charters in the novel. Revenge is key element in the book, this twisted theme creates the whole plot line. â€Å"Children develop a strong interest in theRead MoreWuthering Heights By Emily Bronte1555 Words   |  7 Pages2015 Wuthering Heights (1847) by Emily Brontà « Introduction The novel Wuthering Heights was written in 1847 by Emily Brontà «. The plot unravels with Lockwood visiting his landlord at Wuthering Heights; as Lockwood stays the night, he starts to discover items within the home and later a fatal vision appears, which causes him great curiosity. Lockwood returns back to his residence at Thrushcross Granges and listens to the history of his landlord, Heathcliff; told by an old servant at Wuthering HeightsRead MoreWuthering Heights By Emily Bronte1521 Words   |  7 Pages  Wuthering Heights is Emily Brontà « s only novel. Written between October 1845 and June 1846, Wuthering Heights was published in 1847 under the pseudonym Ellis Bell; Brontà « died the following year, aged 30. Wuthering Heights and Anne Brontà « s Agnes Grey were accepted by publisher Thomas Newby before the success of their sister Charlotte s novel, Jane Eyre. After Emily s death, Charlotte edited the manuscript of Wuthering Heights, and arranged for the edited version to be published as a posthumousRead MoreWuthering Heights And Prejudice By Emily Bronte And Jane Austen922 Words   |  4 PagesThe setting, symbolism, dialogue, indirect characterization, tone, irony and narrative perspective are all techniques used in Wuthering Heights and Pride and Prejudice, to draw attention to social class. The setting in both novels is a technique used to illustrate how class creates conflict between the characters and to symbolise class system through the many estates within the novels. Symbolism such as transport and the characters dress is used to draw attention to the class system. The use of dialogueRead MoreWuthering Heights By Emily Bronte1149 Words   |  5 PagesDuring it release in 1842, ‘Wuthering Heights’ by Emily Bronte was considered to be a novel of obscenity and monstrosity. The novel has the ability to adapt to a range of themes and transcend the forms of content and cultural context within the ideas of love, oppression, power an d harmony. Critical readings of the text have challenged and enriched readers in a diverse array of interpretations of language and structure; forming personal meanings that have developed throughout history. England, in