Wuthering Heights

"He shall never know I love him: and that, not because he's handsome, but because he's more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made out of, his and mine are the same."

Writtten by the iconic Emily Brontë, Wuthering Heights is a dark and tragic story of love and revenge. This is a literary masterpiece that has been a source for many film adaptations. The story follows the lives of two families; The Earnshaws and Lintons and how their stories are woven into a web of disastrous events by the entry of Heathcliff.

Wuthering Heights has to be one of most dramatic novels I've ever read. When it comes to love, the characters' outrageous declarations and actions in the name of revenge can make any reader stumble and double-take. But i understand why many of us are obsessed with Heathcliff, even though he's clearly not the best in the logical thinking department. It could be because of the unrestrained love of Catherine and Heathcliff. It could also be because their relation and the love they share is the epitome of a destructive relationship. It could also be because of the violent consequences of too much love that has wreaked havoc on two families for two decades. Ironically, Wuthering heights is considered a staple of romantic literature. I can understand why, even though we deem their relationship as destructive, there is something so primal and instinctive about the way they loved each other. They both took the "soulmate" thing to whole another level.

The central theme of the novel is Catherine and Heathcliff's love. They are like two peas in a pod. The story takes a tragic turn when Catherine decides to marry Edgar Linton because of his high status in the society. Thus begins Heathcliff's expedition of revenge against Earnshaws and Lintons. When Catherine dies, overcome by utter despair Heathcliff becomes reclusive and continues to scheme against the families.

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Catherine Earnshaw is a very conflicted character. She is described as "A wild, wicked slip" by Nelly Dean, a conservative, God-fearing character from whose point of view this story is being narrated to Mr Lockwood. Catherine refused to live according to the societal norms. Even though she loved Heathcliff, she marries Edgar because of his high status. A shift in her character can be seen after a few months into her marriage with Edgar when she starts to miss her old life. One of my favorite quotes from the book that still resonates through me whenever I think of this book; "I wish I were a girl again, half-savage, and hardy, and free" is such a crucial line as it helps us understand about Catherine's disposition and her inner turmoil about her marriage with Edgar a little more. Catherine's strong, defiant, and persuasive personality plays a major role in the conflict throughout the novel. From the beginning of the novel, Catherine's loyalty towards Heathcliff can be seen very clearly through many instances. Her defiance towards her brother's orders whenever he mistreats Heathcliff spoke volumes about her loyalty and love towards Heathcliff. Catherine's strong-willed nature shines through her when she tries to make amends between Edgar and Heathcliff. But her still alive feelings towards Heathcliff starts to create more conflict between the males. Honestly, if she weren't a train-wreck, the story would've taken a completely different turn.

Excerpt:

" If all else perished, and he remained, i should still continue to be; and if all else remained, and he were annihilated, the universe would turn to a mighty stranger."

- Catherine Earnshaw, Wuthering heights.

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Coming to Heathcliff....... he is a very complex character. He was shown as an enigma as no one knows his back story, where he came from, nothing of that sort of information. The poor treatment he receives because of his color, the mistreatment towards him from Hindley, his unrequited love, everything drives him towards vengeance. Coming to think of it, he was more driven by vengeance than of love. At this point, we could see that Love is a negative force in Brontë's novel. He was seen as a father figure by Hareton, as dysfunctional as it could get. There were some instances where we can see a sliver of hope for redemption. We see him suffering due to the death of Catherine, the only person to whom he would show any feelings that are remotely human. All in all, he was a morally gray character. Maybe I have issues that are unresolved, but I have a soft corner for morally gray characters. He did many questionable things ranging from punching the said lover's husband to digging up the said lover's grave and hugging her dead body. If that doesn't scream I Love You in a weird psychotic, creepy and gothic way, i don't know what else will. Catherine describes Heathcliff as "an unreclaimed creature, without refinement, without cultivation". He married Isabella Linton just to spite Catherine and for revenge. When Catherine dies, overcome by grief and anger, the words spoken by him are just plain insane. Maybe, I'm crazy but there is sort of a beauty that is very dark in it. Read these lines, tell me it didn't chill you to the bones-

Excerpt:

"Catherine Earnshaw, may you not rest as long as am living. You said I killed you- haunt me then. The murdered do haunt their murderers. I believe- I know that ghosts have wandered the earth. Be with me always- take any form- drive me mad. Only do not leave me in this abyss, where I cannot find you! Oh, God! It is unutterable! I cannot live without my life! I cannot live without my soul!"

- Heathcliff, Wuthering heights.

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It's impossible to ignore some aspects of this book. The Gothic features the author shows in the book. Heathcliff seeing Catherine's ghost and portrayal of some characters gives it a gothic edge. The backdrop of Yorkshire moors in the novel and Catherine's comparison of her feelings with nature is very beautiful.

There are some interesting facts about this novel.

🍁 This novel was published under the pen name Ellis Bell in 1847. Emily Bronte's name did not appear until 1850.

🍁When it was first published this novel was far from being successful. Instead, it was deemed to be strange, disagreeable, and confused.

🍁 This was the only novel that was published by Emily Bronte. She later died of Tuberculosis.

🍁From being deemed as disagreeable to a literary masterpiece, this book is truly a piece of art.

I loved this book very much. I hold some books very dear to my heart. This definitely tops the list. As crazy as it may sound, a part of your soul will always remain with the novel and its characters when you loved and enjoyed it very much.