Emily Bronte’s first and only novel, Wuthering Heights,
portrays the obsessive and vengeful love story between Heathcliff and
Catherine. Images of cruelty and passion with an incorporation of
gothic supernatural elements set the dark and misty atmosphere present
throughout the novel. Moving between two neighboring houses, Wuthering
Heights and Thrushcross Grange, the wild love story turned destructive
obsession is narrated by Mr. Lockwood through his diary entries.
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Bronte sets the novel into motion with the arrival of Mr. Lockwood at
the house of his grim landlord Heathcliff. The strange and unfriendly
manner in which his landlord behaves and his lack of effort to appear
otherwise, sparks a flame of curiosity in Lockwood to learn more about
the mysterious Wuthering Heights. After nature forces him to spend a
night in the house, his eerie experience during the night only further
ignites his curiosity to learn more about its past. When he settles into
Thrushcross Grange he asks Nelly the housekeeper to tell him more about
Wuthering Heights and its residents. Nelly then recounts events leading
to Heathcliff’s current bitter state, beginning with his childhood when
he was brought in by Mr. Earnshaw, owner of the Wuthering Heights
manor. As the young dark-skinned Heathcliff tries to fit in with the
family, everyone grows to like him except for Mr. Earnshaw’s son
Hindley, who is jealous of the affection Heathcliff receives from his
father. His sister Catherine, however, becomes inseparable with the
youngster and the two share many adventures together on the moors and a
mutual affection is born. As future events unfold, Catherine chooses to
marry Edgar Linton, who lives in the nearby Thrushcross Grange, and
leaves Heathcliff heartbroken. Hurled into a world of revenge,
Heathcliff extends his mission of vengeance to their innocent children
years later as they face lurking resentment and animosity.
Bronte’s Gothic romance novel combines the use of extraordinary literary
devices, while simultaneously structuring a captivating storyline.
Vivid descriptions, a compelling plot and a complex array of characters
is what maintains the special place Wuthering Heights holds on the classic literature bookshelf.
Emily Bronte’s first and only novel, Wuthering Heights, portrays
the obsessive and vengeful love story between Heathcliff and Catherine.
Images of cruelty and passion with an incorporation of gothic
supernatural elements set the dark and misty atmosphere present
throughout the novel. Moving between two neighboring houses, Wuthering
Heights and Thrushcross Grange, the wild love story turned destructive
obsession is narrated by Mr. Lockwood through his diary entries.