Skip to main content

Wuthering Heights (Book Review)

Title: Wuthering Heights
Author: Emily Bronte
Genre: Gothic novel
Theme: The enduring love between Catherine and Heathcliff, the desire, hate, revenge and regret in family and how it eventually destroys their lives and the lives of those around them.
Is it a darkly passionate tale of love? Or should we call it a highly original gothic story? Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte is a classic novel and in my opinion, a gripping blend of these genres. Written in 1847, the novel is an epic family saga full of desire, hate, revenge and regret. The atmospheric setting of the wild Yorkshire Moors cleverly mirrors all these violent emotions.
When Catherine’s father adopts the starving orphan boy Heathcliff, Catherine’s brother Hindley feels deeply hurt and resentful. She, on the other hand, develops an immensely strong bond with Heathcliff, which becomes an all consuming love. Upon her father’s death, Hindley becomes the head of the family and forces Heathcliff to assume the position of a servant. Despite loving Heathcliff, Catherine chooses to marry Edgar Linton, who is closer to her class and position in society. It is this decision which leads to heartbreak and tragedy, not only for them but for many others.
Heathcliff could be described as an anti-hero with his rough manners and lack of control. Likewise, Catherine displays many flaws, but the readers can still empathize with these characters. In fact, this is the main reason why I believe this novel is so brilliant. It rings with truth. The reader may be horrified at the way that Heathcliff and Catherine behave, and yet, at the same time, the writer ensures that we never hate them because the reasons for their actions are crystal clear.
The main part of the book relies on a narrator, Ellen Dean, who is a servant at Wuthering Heights and I think that this is a useful device which holds the complex plot together. However, Wuthering Heights is not what I would call an ‘easy read’. There is dense description and some of the dialogue is written in dialect, which can be difficult to follow.
Nevertheless, I persevered and, all in all, I can highly recommend Wuthering Heights. I challenge you to remain unmoved after reading this exceptional book.
[This piece of writing is from OALD Eighth Edition]
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

facebook, twitter, google plus

Popular posts from this blog

Class 12 Optional English 11 Sets Past Paper(2078-2081) Solution

 Class 12 Optional English 11 Sets Past Paper Solution   CDC Model Question 2078 Optional English Grade: XII                                 Time: 3 Hours                      Full Marks: 75 Group-A Choose and copy the best answer. (11×1=11) 1.      What is a dead language?                 i.    A language no longer used in everyday life.               ii.    A language that no one speaks any more.            iii.    A language that is learnt solely for ceremonial p...
Post a Comment
Read more

Who was Khaptad Baba? (Biography) by Ganesh B. Dhami

Khaptad Baba Khaptad Swami or Khaptad Baba was an eremite who is reported to one day have come to the Khaptad plateau of western Nepal from Punjab, India during 1940s in his 60s. Yet, some historians argue that h e had come from Pakistan since some of his writings are written in Urdu. Much about the origin and background of Khaptad Swami is shrouded in mystery. Some speculate that he was a medical doctor trained in England. It is rumored that when he was practicing in a hospital, he was astonished by some miracles of life and death phenomenon, like a declared dead person revived, which was almost impossible from the perspective of modern science. He was once, desperately trying to save the life of a child. But minute by minute, the child was going towards the dark cave of the death. He found himself utterly helpless. Then, a hermit came in his town of Jammu-Kashmir with Himalayan herbs and power of Yoga, saved the life of that child. After that incident, he kne...
7 comments
Read more

Abiku(poem) by Wole Soyinka

  Abiku -Wole Soyinka "Abiku" is a poem by Wole Soyinka that explores the Yoruba concept of the abiku, a spirit child who is born repeatedly to the same mother, only to die young and return to the spirit world. The poem is rich in imagery, symbolism, and Yoruba cultural references. Summary of Abiku The poem is narrated by the abiku itself, who speaks with a sense of pride and defiance. It declares that no matter how many sacrifices or rituals are performed, it will continue to return and die again. The abiku describes its familiarity with suffering, hunger, and the pain of its repeated existence. It seems to challenge the efforts of its parents to keep it alive, suggesting that it is beyond human control. Themes in Abiku a.      Fate and Destiny – The abiku is trapped in a cycle of birth and death, suggesting that some things are beyond human influence. b.      The Supernatu...
Post a Comment
Read more