Wuthering+Heights+-+Religion

//__ Wuthering Heights __// is not usually considered a religious novel that advocates Christianity or some other religious form, as other novels do more obviously such as C. S. Lewis’ //__The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe__//. Yet there is a real awareness of religious experience in the novel. I’ve followed the categories of //__Wuthering__// //__Heights__// as being religious, metaphysical and mystical. It might be easier to categorise the aspects of religion by character → Bronte’s view → Connection to Romantic Movement. The people discussed might be useful with the whole “critical underpinnings” quotes (especially if you wanted to research them more) or maybe not… I don’t know. The research on Wuthering Heights being a religious, metaphysical and/or mystic novel comes primarily from: __ http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/english/melani/novel_19c/wuthering/mystic.html __ · Larger reality + non-rational mystery → akin to religious experience · Rudolph Otto labeled it ‘the numinous’ → dread creating awe + identifiable by inapproachability, power & urgency/energy · This ‘daemonic’ experience has (historically according to Otto) lead to understanding of gods in other religions :. it could be considered religious, like many Gothic fictions · Derek Traversi suggests primary motive = thirst for religious experience (that’s non-Christian) · Human nature → yearning for higher, infinite, eternal, permanent reality that is evident most strongly in Heathcliff & Cathy’s forbidden union What does this show about Bronte’s religious beliefs? “Brontë's religious view encompasses both Cathy's and Linton's views of heaven and of life, for she sees a world of contending forces which are contained within her own nature. She seeks to unite them in this novel, though, Traversi admits, the emphasis on passion and death tends to overshadow the drive for unity.” → Perhaps Bronte reflects her context which is still heavily influenced by Christianity, religiously and politically, by showing distinct Christian beliefs in heaven & hell. The fact that Heathcliff and Cathy both die miserable and alone also shows a 19th century view of the punishment for disregarding the natural order of society (class system) and traditional religion. On the other hand, her views might characterise the Romantic Movement’s preference for transcendent experiences on earth (e.g. by engaging with sublime in nature) as being the true embodiment of paradise (differing from Christian heaven). · Heathcliff’s approach to death signifies the religious significance of his outlook. · Thomas John Winnifirith sees the religious message of //__Wuthering__// //__Heights__// as – salvation is won through suffering. · For Heathcliff, the loss of Catherine is literally hell **. ** ·  Even in their final (earthly) meeting, Catherine and Heathcliff both suffer agonies because of their separation, she will be condemned to suffer // "the same distress underground" //and he to// "writhe in the torments of hell" // (p Ch XV V1) · Winnifirith suggests that Heathcliff’s years of suffering (earthly hell) after losing Cathy allow him to attain ‘his’ heaven i.e. union with Cathy in spirit Does Bronte value suffering as a means of salvation in //__Wuthering__// //__Heights__//? All the characters had to suffer – no-one escaped. E.g. Hindley Earnshaw – Heathcliff usurped his role, isolated him from his family (leaving him friendless); wife died; became drinker/gambler; forced to tolerate Heathcliff’s presence/control over him as his mortgager; died young(ish) and alone after suffering for years. Heathcliff – poor, impoverished, Gypsy → rejected by society; always slightly out of place in Earnshaw household as child (didn’t even have a last name); forced to be apart from Cathy, partially because of lack of wealth + status; his love married another man; had to endure Edgar Linton’s ‘victory’; only love died; son = a disappointment; life dictated by revenge→ suffering; yet some happiness/redemption in death? But not all attained salvation or redemption e.g. Hindley Earnshaw suffered enormously and had a very little chance of any sort of ‘reward’. So maybe this shows that only certain types of suffering lead to ‘eternal’ reward? · Metaphysics = · Dorothy Van Gent’s theory: two opposing forces (controlled society vs. unrestrained nature/natural energies) continuously clash in the novel. Catherine and Heathcliff represent the violent elements of nature. Their passionate, impulsive, amoral and childish love only bring self-destruction, in contrast to the more adult, mature and responsible love of Cathy & Hareton that brings the story to a satisfactory conclusion. The two types of love are connected by Heathcliff who crosses the two generations, having distinct roles in the two volumes of //__Wuthering__// //__Heights__//. · This central ‘clash’ links to the idea of the inside/domestic vs. outside/nature (E.g. Thrusscross Grange stands alone and feeble compared to the great expanding nature outside its borders) · Catherine & Heathcliff have a “mythological love” that Van Gent considers mythological because of “ "the astonishingly ravenous and possessive, perfectly amoral love of Catherine and Heath cliff belongs to that realm of the imagination where myths are created". Myths are important to all religions in explaining the universe’s origins and so their relationship is linked to primary religions beliefs. How does Bronte view Catherine & Heathcliff’s love, considering it religiously and metaphysically? Obviously, the clash of forces (tame civilization and wild nature) is linked to the Romantic Movement because this shows their response to their context (following the Enlightenment). It might be a bit of a stretch to say that Wuthering Heights is ‘a metaphysical novel’ but certainly, there is a relationship between the physical and supernatural world, captured best in Catherine and Heathcliff’s relationship. E.g. Heathcliff’s association with the Moors. · The main thing to consider here is the suggestion that Bronte was a mystic or “ · Evelyn Underhill asserts this bade on Bronte’s other poems, including from // [|"High waving heather, 'neath stormy blasts"] // but how is this evident in //__Wuthering__// //__Heights__//? <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msoansilanguage: EN-US; msolist: Ignore;">· Practically, it’s probably best to discuss the mystical and metaphysical components of //__Wuthering Heights__// within the realm of religion. Another side of religion in //__Wuthering__// //__Heights__// is the characterisation of other characters that I think show Bronte’s view of orthodox Christianity and its function in society. The most obvious character for this is Joseph, the servant working at Wuthering Heights, who is the strongest voice of Christianity (the dominant religion of the time). A minister himself, he often preaches to the others. It is rare that he says anything without publicly condemning others, since he’s primarily concerned with the punishment of the immoral people surround him. Joseph believes that even Hareton, who he helped raise and genuinely likes, will go to hell. As bitter old man who is almost impossible to understand due to the strong garbled accent affecting his (written) speech, it is an interesting choice of character to represent orthodox religion. The fact that’s he quite difficult to understand might show Bronte’s view that religion is outdated and difficult to understand or value in her ‘modern’ time. This would make sense considering the increased questioning of religion and particularly Christianity’s hierarchal structure. Joseph is largely ignored by the other characters, and only begins to have some influence over Heathcliff, in regards to his religious views, in his last days when he is terribly weak. This could show how Bronte may have believed that Christianity played on a fear of death, that way used as a means of giving the Church power and keeping the people subjugated. Joseph’s condemnation of others (or judgmental-ness is justified through his religious beliefs.  **Quote:** “Th’ divil’s harried off his soul’ he cried ‘and he muh hev his carcass intuh t’bargain for ow’t Aw care! Ech! What a wicked un he looks girnning at death!” **p392 Ch XX V2**  (Most of what Joseph says shows he’s almost incomprehensible, as well as his judgmental nature and irritable personality).  The fact that Joseph is so judegemental, condemning and as a result, is essentially friendless speaks volumes about his place in society.   Perhaps this is a reflection of the waning influence of organised religion in Britain, at the time. It also shows how religion was viewed by some post-Enlightenment thinkers as a heavy, oppressing regime that prevented people from truly sharing transcending experience because of the preoccupation with sin, morality and heaven and hell. This, combined with the spiritual transcendent experience of Heathcliff, is a reflection of the Romantic tenets of valuing these experiences over all others. Nelly also shows conventional attitudes towards religion; she is god-fearing and considers the implication of moral behaviour regularly since she sincerely believes in heaven and hell. Yet even her beliefs generally come across as part of her moralizing or nagging. Her attitude to religion is represented as an old superstition that is useful for chastising others and is more tied up with her interfering behaviour and love for gossip. The fact that she uses religious conventions to promote her self and show how her actions were right for the time also undermines her character. Remember, Nelly narrates most of the story and frames the plot. This is important when considering the 19th century audience and might reflect how many would have viewed the events of the novel. Perhaps Bronte is playing with society’s traditional perceptions and trying to highlight their shortcomings because they fail to capture the most important things – transcendent experiences that come as a result of breaking through conventional moral orders. An example of Nelly’s chastising is seen at the end of the novel when she responds to Heathcliff looking forward to his impending death. “You are aware Mr Heathcliff’ said I ‘that from the time you were thirteen years old, you have lived a selfish, unchristian life; and probably hardly had a Bible in your hands, during all that period. You must have forgotten the contents of the book, and you may not have space to search it now. Could it be hurtful to send from some one – some minister of any denomination, it does not matter which, to explain it and to show you how very far you have erred from its precepts, and how unfit you will be for its heaven, unless a change takes place before you die?” Heathcliff’s reply to this is also worth considering. It essentially highlights his triumphant response to conventional religion. “ No minister need come; nor need anything be said over me - I tell you I have nearly attained __my__ heaven; and that of others is altogether unvalued, and uncoveted by me!” **p 390 Ch XX V2** Although both Joseph and Nelly have important roles in the stroyline, they are not the focus of the novel. It is the relationship between Heathcliff and Catherine that dominates //__Wuthering__// //__Heights__//, which is worth noting when trying to discern Bronte’s view of religion and her use of it in her novel. Although their relationship has already been discussed, a way to surmise their religious beliefs are: <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msoansilanguage: EN-US; msolist: Ignore;">· Catherine believes in an afterlife, though it seems different to the Christian concept of heaven This shows a longing for a higher, transcendent reality, similar to what poets experience while creating their ‘art’. Catherine and Heath cliff want this experience and they find it in their consuming love for each other. <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msoansilanguage: EN-US; msolist: Ignore;">· Heathcliff saw heaven as being with his true love. This has lead some to claim that love has replaced religion for these two characters. It is interesting to note that this belief leads him to also believe in other supernatural concepts such as ghosts. He clings to the hope that Catherine came back to him in a spirit form, which shows how sincere his passionate love is. If you’re looking for more on religion in //__Wuthering__// //__Heights__// try: <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; msobidifontfamily: Arial; msospacerun: yes;"> Or you could fill in the following table. ** Character ** || How’s religion represented through him/her? ||  Quote  || Bronte’s possible view || Context + Link to Romanticism || Heathcliff || || ||  ||  || Cathy (elder) || || ||  ||  || Nelly || || ||  ||  || Edgar Linton || || ||  ||  || Joseph || || ||  ||  || Catherine (younger) || || ||  ||  || Linton Heathcliff || || ||  ||  || Hareton || || ||  ||  || Isabella || || ||  ||  || ||  ||  ||  ||  ||
 * __ Religion in ‘//Wuthering// //Heights//’ __**
 * //__ Wuthering __//****//__ Heights __//**** – Religious novel? **
 * Quote: ** Catherine states **// “ //** // surely you and everybody have a notion that there is, or should be, an existence of yours beyond you. What were the use of my creation if I were entirely contained here? // ” **p96 Ch IX, V1**
 * Quote: ** // "My soul's bliss kills my body, but does not satisfy itself" // ** p389 Ch XX V2 **
 * Quote: **// “To-day I’m within sight of my heaven – I have my eyes on it – hardly three feet severe to me!” // **P 384 Ch XX V2.**
 * Quote: ** // "existence after losing her would be hell // ” **p** **Ch XIV V**
 * //__ Wuthering __//****//__ Heights __//**** - Metaphysical Novel? **
 * //__ Wuthering __//****//__ Heights __//**** – Mystical Novel? **
 * http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/english/melani/novel_19c/wuthering/love.html
 * http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/wuthering/section1.html
 * http://education.yahoo.com/homework_help/cliffsnotes/wuthering_heights/19.html