Wuthering Heights and the theme of revenge

A detailed Summary of Wuthering Heights and the theme of revenge

When Wuthering Heights, by Emily Bronte, first appeared in 1847, it was thought to be obscene and crude (Chase 19). To the common person, it was shocking and offensive, and it did not gain popularity until long after it was first published. When the piece of literature became widely read and discussed, however, Bronte was declared as a "romantic rebel against repressive conventions and a writer who made passion part of novelistic tradition" (Chase 19). Unlike earlier writers, Bronte used factors from her own life and passions that she personally held to construct her classic novel. For example, Joseph's bible-thumper character most likely symbolizes her father, who was a minister. However, Bronte's book is not only a breakthrough to literature in these ways. The narration of the story is also very unique and divergent because there are multiple narrators. Bronte's character Lockwood is used to narrate the introductory and concluding sections of the novel whereas Nelly Dean narrates most of the storyline. It's interesting that Nelly Dean is used because of her biased opinions. In addition, the structure of Wuthering Heights displays a uniqueness. Just as Elizabethan

Heathcliff never finds peace through his revenge. In fact, the only time he truly finds happiness is when he gives up his plan for retaliation. Austin O'Malley states "Revenge is like biting a dog that bit you" (O'malley 1). O'Malley's quote reflects Heathcliff's immature need to propagate agony in those who have offended him. Heathcliff's plan for revenge on Edgar and Catherine is to marry Isabella, who is ignorant of love and of men because she has never experienced either. He wants to hurt Edgar because of his marriage to Catherine, and he wants to get revenge on Catherine by making her jealous. Catherine's death proves that this flawed plan of repayment helps nothing. Heathcliff, haunted by the ghost of Catherine because he is her "murderer," still is motivated by the need for revenge and tries to get young Cathy away from Edgar by having her marry his son, Linton. Heathcliff never finds peace until he gives up his plan for revenge just before he dies. When Heathcliff gives up his plan for revenge, he meets Catherine in death and truly becomes happy once more.

Bronte corroborates that revenge is not only a harsh and rash way to live life, but is counter-productive and hurtful. Out of all of her major themes, revenge is the most imminent. The self-hurt involved with vengeance shows there are better ways to solve conflicts. Bronte sends a great message across by showing how negative revenge can be. There is no solution t

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Approximate Word count = 977
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Novels