Wuthering Heights, by Emily Brontë

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Recommended: Theme of love and revenge in Wuthering Heights

“It is a tale of usurpation, revenge, and a devilish, preternatural passion that tamer beings can scarcely recognize as love.” (Duclaux)

Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë is considered a masterpiece today, however when it was first published, it received negative criticism for its passionate nature. Critics have studied the novel from every analytical angle, yet it remains one of the most haunting love stories of all time. “Wuthering Heights is not a comfortable book; it invites admiration rather than love,” (Stoneman 1). The novel contains several different levels that force readers to ponder the text. It allows for individual interpretations of the novel. This makes the novel such a popular book to read. Wuthering Heights is a Gothic novel with twists and turns to keep readers interested. The novel leaves much to the reader’s imagination, and the openness to interpretation is popular among the novel’s audience. Emily Brontë includes components that are not expected, such as the theme of destructive love among others.

The novel has supernatural encounters, crumbling ruins, moonless nights and monstrous images hoping to create an atmosphere of mystery and fear. Emily Brontë challenges readers’ minds by creating different themes and filling the novel with symbolism and conflicts. Certain aspects of Brontë’s life contributed to the many elements of Wuthering Heights. For example, the narration, motifs and conflicts can all be traced back to Brontë’s childhood. The characters of the novel also relate to Brontë’s personal experiences from her childhood. One example being the character of Nelly Dean playing the mother role to other characters in the story. The characters of the novel also pass away and marry early because they kn...

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...se of its intense and unique plot. The meaning of the novel is open to be interpreted. The plot contains many unexpected turns and features. Some include the choice of wealth over love, and the similar stories between two generations. This controversial novel received mixed reviews because of its passionate nature. However, critics now believe that it is a literary masterpiece.

Works Cited

Brontë, Emily. Wuthering Heights . 1994 Modern Library ed. New York: Modern Library, 1994. Print.

Bloom, Harold. Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights . New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 1987. Print.

Duclaux, A. M. F. R. Emily Brontë; O’Brien, F. R. M. W. (“Romer Wilson”). All Alone: The Life and Private History of Emily Jane Brontë; Simpson, C. W. Emily Brontë; Southern Atlantic Quarterly 34:202 April 1935. Print.

Stoneman, Patsy. Wuthering heights: Emily Brontë. 1995. Print.

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