Challenging the Status Quo: Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights

Wuthering Heights, written by Emily Bronte (1847), is one of the most highly regarded novels in English Literature as it was intended to both shock and captivate readers with scenes of passion and spitefulness (Bloomfield 2011). Comprised of violent characters and harsh realities, this exceptional novel was not openly accepted by the Victorian society at first. Essentially speaking, it was labeled as somewhat contentious. Victorian literature is most likely to consist of romanticized representations involving difficult lives in which hard work, determination, luck and love triumph in the end. Wuthering Heights, therefore, challenged those strict elements. Nevertheless, subsequent audiences are much more understanding and tolerant concerning the use of objectionable characteristics relating to human life throughout this literature.

The problem of intense love throughout this Gothic novel is apparent while it favors the disparaging effect that ruthlessness and jealousy have, both on the individuals involved and on their surrounding environment as well. Bronte (1847) brings the powerful use of supernatural elements and overdramatic quality to life by appealing to the characters Heathcliff (antagonist), Catherine Earnshaw (romantic figure) and Edgar Linton (protagonist).

Heathcliff, who is found seemingly orphaned, is brought to live at Wuthering Heights by a man known as Mr. Earnshaw. Heathcliff eventually falls into an unbreakable and passionate love with Catherine, the daughter of Mr. Earnshaw. As the years pass, the two of them form an inseparable bond. However, Catherine’s elder brother Hindley becomes jealous of Heathcliff immediately due to the attention he receives. In turn, this creates a terrible feud between Heathcliff and ...

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...nd Victorian eras are apparent throughout the novel. With that being said, it is not only obvious among the relationships between Heathcliff, Catherine Earnshaw and the respectable Edgar Linton, but also as the place itself (Yorkshire Moors). Whether it is the instability of social class or the destructiveness of an ageless love, the dramatic characters throughout this novel represent the Victorian era well. However, when no one triumphs in the end, this somewhat challenges those romantic elements of Victorian literature.

Works Cited

Bronte, Emily. Wuthering Heights. Project Gutenberg eBooks. 19 Apr. 2007. Web. 17 Mar. 2014. .

Bloomfield, Dennis. "An Analysis Of The Causes And Effects Of Sickness And Death In Wuthering Heights." Bronte Studies 36.3 (2011): 289-298. Academic Search Premier. Web. 19 Mar. 2014.