Wuthering Heights

By: Emily Brontë

Great Quotes:

“‘They are afraid of nothing,” I grumbled, watching their approach through the window. ‘Together, they would brave Satan and all his legions.’”

“Would you like to live with your soul in the grave?”

“Now, my bonny lad, you are mine! And we’ll see if one tree won’t grow as crooked as another, with the same wind to twist it!”

Analysis: 

This was a great book.  Emily Brontë’s masterpiece is artfully written.  I can think of few characters which I despise more than Heathcliff.  Wuthering Heights shows that great writers are artists that paint with letters and words.  I felt this book had two great interconnected themes.

First, I thought Brontë’s work was an allegory about the eventual defeat of Lucifer.  Here, Heathcliff represents Satan.  Wuthering Heights represents the world.  And Thrushcross Grange loosely represents Heaven.  Heathcliff is brought by Mr. Earnshaw to Wuthering Heights.  In time, he comes to rule and reign over the estate.  He is a tyrant and seeks to pervert and destroy all goodness.  He is especially intent on destroying those who are descended from the land owning class.  The land owners—the Earnshaws and Lintons—represent the sons and daughters of God.  Notice how Heathcliff refuses to live at the Grange.  He is not comfortable there.  Heathcliff fails to accomplish his ultimate designs.  He finds no lasting satisfaction in tormenting the descendants.  He is unable to destroy the land-owners.  And ironically, it is Heathcliff’s actions that bring the Catherine and Harenton together.

Second, the book is about the indomitable spirit of humanity.  Wuthering Heights reminded me of Victor Frankl’s inspiring book Man’s Search for Meaning.  Notice how Heathcliff can only destroy those that allow themselves to be corrupted.  Heathcliff destroys Isabella, Hindley, and Linton.  But he is unable to destroy Catherine Jr. and Harenton.  None of us can avoid life’s pain, sickness, and setbacks.  But we can overcome and conquer them.  We will not all end up with our ideal lives, but we should all struggle to find happiness.  Remember that near the end of the book Harenton is still struggling to read.  This was Brontë giving us insight into his character.  He has love, land, and money.  Harenton isn’t satisfied.  He wants to read.  Harenton personifies the “unconquerable soul” spoken of in Henley’s poem “Invictus.”

Things to take note of:

1.      Unfortunately for all of us, this is the only novel published by Emily Brontë.

2.      When Heathcliff is found dead he “seemed to smile” and his cut was not bleeding.  Was Heathcliff a man or evil incarnate?

3.      I think the Moors were a representation of Hell.  Notice how Heathcliff—the devil—loves to wander around there.  And after Isabella marries Heathcliff—making a deal with the devil—she gains her freedom by traveling alone through the moors to the “beacon-light of the Grange.”

4.      Compare and contrast the physical features of Linton Heathcliff and Harenton Earnshaw.  Brontë is using the tangible to demonstrate the incorporeal.