wuthering heights
The setting of the story at Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange provides a clear example of social contrast. Wuthering Heights is a house set high upon a hill where it is exposed to extreme weather conditions. The weather was described one night by Lockwood as “A sorrowful sight I saw: dark night coming down prematurely, and a sky and hills mingled in one bitter whirl of wind and suffocating snow” (Bronte 15). The Heights are not pleasing to the eye and the building is a harsh, cold house. There are no flowers or plants anywhere near the house which conjures images that lack warmth and happiness. On the other hand, Thrushcross Grange is the opposite.
Catherine’s marriage to Edgar is a prime example of how class status motivates characters into different actions. Catherine’s primary reason for marrying Edgar is to “be the greatest women in the neighbourhood” (Brontë 78). Catherine comes from a family that is part of the wealthy, upper class where it would be unheard of for her to marry into a lower class, like Heathcliff. When he was a child he was taken in by Catherine’s father, Mr. Earnshaw, as a malnourished, orphan and therefore since then has no status or reputation. Catherine says, “‘It would degrade me to marry Heathcliff now; so he shall never know how I love him: and that, not because he’s handsome, Nelly, but because he’s more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same’” (Bronte 80). Consequently, Heathcliff and Catherine are in love, at this time it didn’t matter because she would never be able to be successful and live a prosperous life marrying into a lower class. Heathcliff wasn’t even educated because Hindley denied him the opportunity which implies that he is trying to force him to become a servant (Oates). Hindley describes him as a “usurper of his parent’s affections and privileges; and he grew bitter with brooding over these injuries” (Bronte 39). On the other hand, the Lintons are the most elite family in
Catherine’s marriage to Edgar is a prime example of how class status motivates characters into different actions. Catherine’s primary reason for marrying Edgar is to “be the greatest women in the neighbourhood” (Brontë 78). Catherine comes from a family that is part of the wealthy, upper class where it would be unheard of for her to marry into a lower class, like Heathcliff. When he was a child he was taken in by Catherine’s father, Mr. Earnshaw, as a malnourished, orphan and therefore since then has no status or reputation. Catherine says, “‘It would degrade me to marry Heathcliff now; so he shall never know how I love him: and that, not because he’s handsome, Nelly, but because he’s more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same’” (Bronte 80). Consequently, Heathcliff and Catherine are in love, at this time it didn’t matter because she would never be able to be successful and live a prosperous life marrying into a lower class. Heathcliff wasn’t even educated because Hindley denied him the opportunity which implies that he is trying to force him to become a servant (Oates). Hindley describes him as a “usurper of his parent’s affections and privileges; and he grew bitter with brooding over these injuries” (Bronte 39). On the other hand, the Lintons are the most elite family in