Wuthering+Heights-Themes

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**__WUTHERING HEIGTHS - THEMES__**

__**Some points to Consider...**__
 * __Wuthering Heights and CLASS.__ __BY M.T__ **

Class is a very important theme within Bronte's novel. With the Romantic Period came the Industrial Revolution. Previous to this, a person's wealth came from their family. That is, the money that they were to inherit determined how successful they would be in their life (whether they were upper or lower class). However the Industrial Revolution resulted in many changes in the economy as well as in society. The fact that many people were now earning money through their own trade's created a new, separate social class - the middle class. These were people who worked for their wealth, and posed a threat for the already wealthy. In //Wuthering Heights//, the Linton family is a classic example of the Upper Class, whilst the Earnshaw's, and Heathcliff upon returning from his leave, are examples of the "new rich" (Nouveau Riche), or the //Bourgeoisie.//

Bronte explores class in various ways and forms within the novel.

Heathcliff was escorted back from London by Mr Earshaw to an uknowing family. He, being a dark orphan, was seen as a "gipsy", and for this his status was set to be beneath everyone else's. The other char acters do not allow him to fit in with either the family or even the servants. He is treated like an unpleasant, unwelcome guest in the house whom they will hopefully be rid of soon. As a result of this and the lack of knowledge of his origins, the other characters, particulalrly Hindley and the Lintons see him as being uneducated and rude, as well as a potential criminal. They treat him so, and hold many prejudices against him.

Gipsies were nomandic foreigners who dwelled on the outskirts of town, surviving on whatever they managed to steal from the people. Their status in society was extremely low, perhaps beneath everyone else, as they were mostly beggars and thieves. They were seen as dirty and unfit of any sort of good treatment. In fact, Mrs Earnshaw's first reaction upon beholding Heathcliff is she "//was ready to fling it out of doors//". This is also part of the reason as to why Hindley has such a great dislike for Heathcliff, apart from the fact he has taken his rightful place as Mr Earnshaw's son. Catherine writes in her diary that //"He// (Hindley) //has been blaming our father... for treating H. too liberally; and swears he will reduce him to his right place".// (pg 26)

Joseph's status as a servant is made very obvious through the emphasis made on his accent and manner of speaking. Bronte almost ridicules him, using this to create a distinct separation between the lower class (servants) and the upper class characters (who speak eloquently). Perhaps Bronte was making a point about the popular belief that only the rich were to be privileged with an eductaion, whilst the lower class people should not enjoy this. This is further explored through Hareton's character, through whom Bronte contradicts this viewpoint. Hareton, having grown up as a servant boy, goes against his past and his background and does not let it deny him the opportunity to become educated. Similarly, when Heathcliff returns from his three year absence, //"His countenace was much older in expression and decision of feature than Mr Linton's ; it looked intelligent, and retained no marks of former degredation. 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 too stern for grace." (pg 112)//

Nelly mentions that she is a poor man's daughter. As a result, whether due to her own beliefs or society's beliefs, she was destined to be a servant with nothing to make of her life. Heathcliff, who has no ideas as to who his parents are and where he came from, has, as a result, no fortune to call his own, and for this is looked down upon and scorned from the society of the other characters.

Catherine says she cannot marry Heathcliff because she would not gain any fortune from doing so. She tells Nelly, //"Did it never strike you that if Heathcliff and I married, we should be beggars?" (Page 95).// This further distinguishes and divides the upper and lower classes. Catherine is more willing to give up the man she loves (and has admitted to loving like "the eternal rocks") rather than lose her status and wealth.

Brontë also distinguishes the classes through the depiction of her characters. The Lintons, who are of a higher class, and are dignified and educated are presented as having "fair" skin and hair, which contrasts with Heathcliff, who is presented as having dark features, and foreign appearances. This belief (that the fair skinned are superior) has been prominent throughout history (also followed through the European Settlers in Australia believing themselves to be superior to the Indigenous Australians, and Hitler and his desire for an Aryan race.) Brontë has used this to emphasise the separation of those of low and high social classes.

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**OTHER THEMES TO CONSIDER:**


 * **BOOKS**
 * **IMPRISONMENT AND FREEDOM**
 * **VISIONS/DREAMS**
 * **NATURE**
 * **OUTSIDERS AND IDENTITY**
 * **DEATH AND SLEEP**
 * **RELIGION**
 * **SUPERNATURAL**