.

             In the early years of it's publication Wuthering Heights was described as "a disagreeable story despite it"s power and cleverness" (Atheneum, 1847) and "a compound of vulgar depravity and unnatural horrors" (Graham"s Lady Magazine, 1848). Although the critics recognised Bronte's talent as a writer they did not approve of the themes of the novel nor the behaviour of the main characters. As far as they could see, there was no moral framework to the story nor did Bronte end up ultimately condemning the lovers for their profane relationship. .

             Middle-class Victorians saw the book as "un-Christian" because it rejected the idea of Heaven and instead created a new place where Cathy and Heathcliff could be together, even in death. This place, along the moors, symbolised freedom from society"s boundaries in life, and in death, represented a place stronger and more natural than the Christian "Heaven". It has been argued recently that Bronte rejected patriarchal Christianity in the novel simply because, at her time, it was unsympathetic to women like her. There has been no suggestion, however, that Bronte was anything but a devout Christian. .

             As a Victorian novel, Bronte promptly defies the protocol of authorship at the time by constructing her two main and most memorable characters with qualities that were considered quite inappropriate for a proper lady or gentleman to have. Through the eyes of Nelly, the main narrator, Heathcliff is presented as vindictive, vengeful and violent while Cathy is considered selfish and vain. The Victorians also saw their love as a destructive, demonic, intensely erotic and incestual, rather than a spiritual bond as it ends up consuming the lives of everyone around them, people such as Linton and the younger Catherine whom the Victorians approved of. .

             Later critics, particularly after Victorianism, became infatuated with the Gothic aspects of the novel.