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Introduction:

Wuthering Heights is a classic novel by Emily Brontë, published in 1847.  It is known for being the only novel written by Emily Brontë. The book sets its plot in the mansion of Wuthering Heights, where Lockwood seeks shelter. He discovers the famous story of Wuthering Heights, which tells the passionate story of Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw. The book was also made into two films, indicating its popularity. 

Plot:

The story of the book begins when Lockwood rents a home known as Thrushcross Grange. He meets Heathcliff, his eccentric and demanding landlord, who lives in Wuthering Heights, an old mansion in the neighborhood. Lockwood, who is curious about Heathcliff’s past, asks Nelly Dean, his housekeeper, to tell him the tale. Nelly tells Lockwood the story, and he records it all in his journal. Nelly worked at Wuthering Heights as a child for the Earnshaw family. Heathcliff, a destitute orphan boy, was brought home by Mr. Earnshaw one day. Earnshaw’s son, Hindley, mistreated him, but he grew close to Earnshaw’s daughter Catherine, and the two became best friends. Hindley turned harsh after Mr. Earnshaw’s death and forced Heathcliff into working as a servant. Despite her love for Heathcliff, Catherine chose to wed Edgar Linton because of his social standing. Heartbroken, Heathcliff fled. Years later, he came back rich and resentful, and eager for punishment. To avenge Catherine, he married Isabella, Edgar’s sister, and destroyed Hindley through gambling. Isabella fled with her son, Linton, after Catherine passed away after giving birth to a daughter named Cathy. After several years, young Cathy meets Linton. To take complete control of both houses, Heathcliff deceived them into getting married. Heathcliff made Cathy live as a servant after the deaths of Linton and Edgar. Hareton, Hindley’s son, eventually fell in love with Cathy. Heathcliff becomes unmotivated after becoming obsessed with Catherine’s first memory and starting to see her ghost. After his death, Cathy and Hareton inherited everything and planned to marry. Lockwood visits their graves, looking back on the intense and tragic lives they led.

Analysis:

The book shows the complicated love shown through the relationships between Catherine Earnshaw, Heathcliff, Edgar Linton, and Isabella. It also portrays the dramatic marriage between Catherine and Linton, as they were “forced” to marry because of their economic and social status. Meanwhile, Heathcliff and Isabella got married just for him to avenge Catherine for betraying him. This actively shows the messed-up relationship between all of them since they also faced a few tragedies, such as Catherine’s death, Linton’s and Edgar’s deaths. The story also shows its deep connection even to their descendants since the conflict between Heathcliff and Catherine had also impacted the children, as well. The story of Catherine and Heathcliff is narrated from Nelly Dean’s perspective, indicating that the story told might not be completely true. The author represents how unethical Heathcliff was after Catherine betrayed him by marrying Edgar. He showed cruel and immoral acts, such as making Cathy live as a servant and avenging Catherine’s act. The novel illustrates a few themes of social class and destructive love. These are supported by the conflicts in the novel, such as Catherine’s marriage to Edgar Linton because of his social status, and the tragedies that started because Catherine betrayed Heathcliff’s love. 

Conclusion:

Wuthering Heights is a classic novel and the only book written and published by Emily Brontë. The book follows Lockwood as he finds the story of Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff. Nelly Dean, the housekeeper of Wuthering Heights, tells the tragedies of Heathcliff, Catherine Earnshaw, Edgar Linton, and Isabella. The novel portrays two significant themes: the importance of social class and destructive love. These themes are supported by the action Catherine took, which was to get married to Edgar instead of Heathcliff, who had a lower economic status than him. The novel also shows complicated relationships between the four characters, providing the outcome of these tragedies.