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Alice Quach
Introduction
has left a long lasting eminence in the world of English Literature. The novels unique nature envelopes
a Gothic ideal, one embellished with ties of passionate love; the other of, complex sensations of
intense solitude and desolation. Both these features intertwine within one another, forming the
publication, reviews collided with harsh criticism. Victorian critics were appalled by the brutal
aspects embedded in the particular genre of romance; recommending that young females stray
away from this novel (Slezovic,2013,p.1). Evidently, creative expression in females were denied
in authorship during the 19th century, and hardly received recognition. Nonetheless, today in
modern society Bronte is revered as an accomplished, talented writer- recognized for her highly
rated novel, Wuthering Heights. Alike with the authors birthplace, the novels setting outlines
itself in the desolate essences of Yorkshire- along the verdant moors of Northern England. The
environment alone has shaped the central qualities in the story, mainly revolving around the
implications of societys perspectives of social statuses. Distinctly, the setting of England during
the 19th century grasped the authoritative oppressions of a monarch sphere of influence, leading
to an emphasis of social hierarchy that ruled over every individual. Each and every form of
action and lifestyle lead to a direct impact on ones reputation in life. This was mostly defined
within the distinctive borders of low, middle, and high classes. The story emphasizes this
quintessential demeanor between the lives of each and every character. Essentially, Emily
Brontes ravishing novel titled Wuthering Heights delves into the obscurities of romance-
Scholarly Article
how both characters, Heathcliff and Catherine, seed a youthful passionate bond; that eventually
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sprouts into a garden of tragic love thats ordained within the strict borderlines of class
distinctions. Eventually, the fates of these two mold into selfishness and corruption; further
stressing their love for each other in aspects of obsession, and remorse. Social status imperatively
marks prestigious influence on ones life; thus the characters in this novel are easily wavered to
pursue any desires to attain divine essences of nobility- heavily impacting relations around them.
Agreeably, Slezovics analysis of Wuthering Heights accentuates the aspects of social status in
the novel. Slezovic states, Catherine and Heathcliff are doomed to tragic love, because
Heathcliff was not onto the same social level as Catherine was (2013,p.2). As Slezovic
expresses that they are doomed, it seems to be that the distinctions of social classes determines
an inevitable fate between Heathcliff and Catherine- that they are unable to unite their love
together. Tragic as it is, they were also both childhood friends whom cultivated a profound love
for eachother. Both their personalities exhibited a clicking chemistry of their wild, and passionate
characters. Their emotions towards each other exists on the mindset that they are soulmates.
Catherine expresses that Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the
same(Bronte,1907,p.127). However, that soon came out as ambiguous as Catherine had met a
high class man named Edgar. Immediately, her interest for this man is heightened, as she
interacts with his ...more refined behavior (Slezovic,2013,p.15). As this man appears in front
of her very eyes,embellished with wealth and noble manners; Catherines love for both men
ones representation of nobility in society, through manners, appearance, and wealth, could be
able to waver the feelings of a woman so easily. After, Catherine is swayed by this wealthy
nobleman, she decides to marry him. Oddly, despite her everlasting bond with Heathcliff, it
seems to be that Edgar is a more favorable bachelor to her benefit. Heathcliff in Catherines eyes,
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is a poor man whom possesses no wealth; a childhood friend merely picked off the slums in
Liverpool. This portrays the standards society has raised: Edgars superficial essence in contrast
with a heartfelt love for Heathcliff; represents the acceptance of identity society offers, that
Catherine takes to obtain higher qualities. Catherine has expressed to her house keeper, Nelly,
Slezovic states that Catherine does not consider personal feelings, but instead, she focuses on
her outward appearance to society (Slezovic,2013,p.16). Social status affects the interactions
between Catherine and Heathcliff. The prominence society has placed on social status has
impacted both Heathcliff and Catherines relationship negatively. As Heathcliff realizes his self-
worth is downgraded, he is immersed in abiding angony, and pursues the journey for revenge;
the catalyst of Wuthering Heights tragic love story. In the end, both Heathcliff and Catherines
Style Analysis
From Emily Brontes writings in her novel Wuthering Heights, she accrues a multitude of
eloquence in her literary work. First, she is voluminous in adapting each and every characters
thoughts to signify elements of intense emotion through the structures of her sentences with the
use of dashes. Where is she? Not THERE - in heaven - not perished - where?...And I pray one
prayer - I repeat it till my tongue stiffens - Catherine Earnshaw, may you not rest as I am living;
You said I killed you - haunt me, then!(Bronte,1907,p.268). The continuous use of punctuation
in the form of question marks, portrays Heathcliffs obsession for Catherine, constantly
questioning the location of her presence. Bronte then amplifies the dramatic expression
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Heathcliff is in, giving notions of brief breaths (pauses) through dashes, and each word after
heightens with intense anguish. The love rejection of Heathcliff by the subjugation of societys
class standards on Catherine- distraught the relationship between the two. Heathcliff becomes of
a more terrorizing, brutal man from ones societal influenced rejection. Despite the conflict of
both characters, Heathcliff is yet, still bound to Catharine and intentionally disappears to come
back as a educated, wealthy nobleman. As he experiences her passing, his revenge is only
continued, along with his strong obsessions for her, as portrayed in his dramatic sayings. Bronte
also implicates the effect of social status in diction aspects. Joseph, a servant of low class at
Wuthering Heights exclaims, Theres nobbut t missis; and shooll not oppen t an ye mak yer
flaysome dins till neeght (Bronte,1907,p.13). This vernacular essence exhibits extraordinary
evidence of a lack of education; thus deemed a servant, he is entitled very low in social status. In
contrast, as Heathcliff comes back a nobleman, his diction is elevated to where he is deemed
socially lavish. As he says I wonder you should select the thick of a snow-storm to ramble about
in. Do you know that you run a risk of being lost in the marshes? People familiar with these
moors often miss their road on such evenings; and I can tell you there is no change of a change at
Wuthering Heights notions exquisite use of verbal qualities, as of Joseph, whose deemed as low
as a servant-lacks basic pronunciations. At last, the dark, inklings of gothic elements shine
through Brontes writing as well. As Heathcliff returns with inclination of social grace, Bronte
describes him as A half-civilized ferocity lurked yet in the depressed brows and eyes full of
black fire, but it was subdued; and his manner was even dignified: quite divested of roughness,
though stern for grace (1907,p.152). Heathcliff is being observed in every intricate aspect, as
his personality corresponds to his appearance, but with a slight change. He is being portrayed as
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ferocious, as evident in his thirst for revenge; which allows the emergence of where his actions
cause a relationship of suffering to others- and himself. The dark animosity along with disdain
swells in his eyes, as the fire described indicates the passion he has to pursue his revenge. The
sensations of horror of Heathcliffs character embeds the gloomy, gothic tone. Again, the
foundation of Heathcliffs revenge remains from the societal instances brought upon by
Catherine, His revenge fills him with determination to rank up in social status. As described in
his appearance, the beauty of his social rank seems to slightly mask Heathcliffs true, horrific
personality.
Terry Eagleton extensively critiques the chaos attributes of Wuthering Heights through a Marxist
lens, implicating that it is a result of merely social class conflict. Agreeably, a critique through a
marxist quality could be deemed viable in the analysis of this tragic love story. Eagleton
addresses that Wuthering Heights ...depicts characters forced to choose between desire and
physical comfort, integrity and social convention, passionate being and economic well-being,
living and surviving(Eagleton,1995). This event of social struggle can be highlighted between
the relationship of Heathcliff and Catherine. With regards to social class struggle, Catherine is
between two bachelors- one deemed low as a servant, yet has relations of genuine love with, and
the other of noble wealth, whom could grant materialistic virtues. However, it didnt take long
for Catherine to decide whom her mind had chosen. As a fact, the English society during the 19th
centuries set the standards for women that, social level was very significant, and the status and
well being of one depended on marriage. Those entitled with abundances of wealth had great
influence, and extravagant political power, which could be still linked to modern-day society.
Clearly, the benefits are evident in choosing Edgar. As Heathcliff realizes how conflicted social
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class has intertwined him with love, he journeys off for three years to acquire enough cultural
outrageous social aura, Eagleton states that he represents a turbulent form of capitalist
overwhelmed with authority, and abuses his power to overcome any class struggle, warning that
should he offer to leave me, hes a dead man: persuade him to attempt it, and you are a
damnation! I WILL have it back; and Ill have HIS gold too; and then his blood; and hell shall
have his soul! It will be ten times blacker with that guest than ever it was
directed to his family members. His frustrations revolve around the mind of a dictator, which
exhibits his dominating socio-economic status hes worked so hard to get through. Alike with ties
of modern society, the greater power one obtains through social class, the higher chance one will
abuse it.
Conclusion
epitomized through the very essences of mere social class distinctions. Although Heathcliff and
Catherine had a bond of profound love, nevertheless, Heathcliffs inferiority in rank gave an
inevitable distaste to Catherine, whom chose the nobleman Edgar over their genuine love. The
tragedy enveloped around high standardized social spheres that resulted in conflictions; thus
giving the potential to disintegrate further relations with any individual of inferior and superior
statuses. Lower classes tend to resent those superior of them; abiding hatred from environments
of oppression. Higher classes are entitled strength, strength construes authority, and authority
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induces the way for abuse of power. After being rejected wholeheartedly by Catherine, Heathcliff
pursues a mindset of revenge, climbing to the highest entitlements of a Noble. Along with
corrupting himself, his authority of property enables him to mistreat individuals around him.
Society class standards have fabricated lifestyles into elevated orders of organization, each
determining ones self worth and treatment, as portrayed in each and every trait of Wuthering
Heights characters. Society has shaped people in a way, where economic, materialistic
attainment leads to better lifestyles, and as a result- neglect those deemed with indigent statuses.
References
Bront, E. (1907). Wuthering Heights. In E. Bront, Wuthering Heights (pp. 1-354). New York:
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Slezovic, S. (2013). Social status as an aspect in novels Pride and Prejudice and Wuthering Heights.
https://www.academia.edu/6916563/Social_Status_as_an_aspect_in_Wuthering_Heights_and_Pr
ide_and_Prejudice
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