The Victorian Era began with Queen Victoria`s reign in 1837- 1901 and it was time when

Emily Bronte was 15 years old. People who lived in Victorian Era had some harrowing
experiences and they had some responsibilities toward poor and working class. Emily Bronte
influenced these poor conditions although she was just a child and she wrote Wuthering
Heights in order to enlighten new generations about Victorian Period. Thanks to many
innovations and historical changes, Victorian period progressed in a positive way. For
example, it is occurred beliefs about individual by rise of Darwinism and Freud`s theories.
But Emily Bronte took care of the earlier part of the Victorian Era. That is why, in Wuthering
Heights, readers can encounter social problems of Victorian societies such as immorality of
time, ignoring of working and lower class and invisibilities of Victorian women in the novel.
That is why, although Wuthering Heights was criticized in an adverse way by the critics and
those who lived in Victorian Age at first, it is regraded as one of the victorious Victorian
novels at the present times.
Wuthering Heights is a matchless novel for Victorian time and it is a hybrid novel that
combines various genres such as romanticism, realism and gothic literature. Thanks to these
styles, Emily reflected successfully the mirror of Victorian Era. For example, she aimed to
fascinate and attract reader`s attention by using Gothic literature. Because Gothic literature
includes grotesque characters and events, annoying events, and dark and supernatural
elements like ghosts and devils. Wuthering Heights with this kind of style includes terrible
characters and events. That is why, it is worth to be read this novel of Emily Bronte in order
to understand dark atmosphere and severe characters in Victorian Period.
Wuthering Heights is also regarded as a romantic novel because the novel emphasizes the
freedom of the individual to create their own life and it is also possible to see strong
emotions of characters. Emily Bronte also presents an isolated life in nature in her novel.
Because characters in the novel live far from the city. It is possible to interpret this situation
as escaping from pollution caused by the Industrial Revolution. Because in Victorian Period,
Industrial Revolution had a great impact on Victorian society. Apart from gothic literature
and romantic literature, Wuthering Heights is a product of the genre of Realism. Thanks to
movement of Realism, readers can understand people who lived in Victorian period because
Realism`s motto is True to Life. Emily Bronte focused on the death of many characters from
consumption, discrimination between classes and struggles of society by showing negative
realities of the Victorian period. While she was using the genre of Realism, she chose special
characters who were in the Victorian society.
In this novel, Wuthering Heights, Victorian society is focused on by Emily Bronte. She dealt
with the Victorian period`s social economic and moral values. That`s why the novel serves
themes of class, gender, religion and morality of Victorian society. Plot structure of the novel
also serves those themes. Additionally, thanks to characters` behaviours and motivation, it is
possible to see Victorian ideals because Bronte shows the complexities of human
relationships and issues of obsession and revenge. Because revenge is one of the most
important themes in Wuthering Heights.
In wuthering Heights, there are various characters. Each of them has their own unique
features. Even minor characters serve the issue of Victorian ideals. Because thanks to
personalities of all characters, readers can comprehend Victorian values better. For example,
one of the most important characters is Mr. Lockwood. The novel starts with Mr. Lockwood`s
story about Mr. Heathcliff. Mr. Lockwood is primary narrator in Wuthering Heights. He
provides the readers an outsider`s perspective on events that became at two houses. In
Wuthering Heights, Mr. Lockwood embodies a Victorian social rules and values of Victorian
period. His curiosity about Mr. Heathcliff`s life represents Victorian period`s features of exotic
and unknown. Moreover, he is unable to apprehend the complexities of the relationships
between characters in Wuthering Heights. This situation shows the readers the complexities
and disorder of human relations in Wuthering heights.
1801. - I have just returned from a visit to my landlord - the solitary neighbour that I shall be
troubled with. This is certainly a beautiful country! In all England, I do not believe that I
could have fixed on a situation so completely removed from the stir of society. A perfect
misanthropist's heaven: and Mr. Heathcliff and I are such a suitable pair to divide the
desolation between us. A capital fellow! He little imagined how my heart warmed towards
him when I beheld his black eyes withdraw so suspiciously under their brows, as I rode up,
and when his fingers sheltered themselves, with a jealous resolution, still further in his
waistcoat, as I announced my name.
In this quote which is taken from the beginning of the Wuthering Heights, Mr. Lockwood is
talking about Mr. Heathcliff. At that point, Mr. Heathcliff looks like a bizarre and strange for
Mr. Lockwood. In the beginning of the Novel, Mr. Lockwood knows about what will happen in
the novel. He makes Irony in order to make the readers curious about the story. He says ‘’ A
capital fellow! ‘’ about Mr. Heathcliff. He defines Mr. Heathcliff as unique and dark person.
Thid feature of Mr. Heathcliff can evoke the readers dark atmosphere of Victorian Period.
Additionally, Mr. Lockwood talks about a kind of heaven that removed from the stir of
society. He draws attention to escaping from dark atmosphere of Victorian Era. Because at
that time, there was Industrial Revolution and people of Victorian period wanted to escape
from air pollution that is resulted from Industrial Revolution.
Heathcliff is another important character in Wuthering Heights that represents the Victorian
values. In Wuthering Heights, he is Byronic Hero who has high levels of intelligence and
cunning. He represents all elements of Byronic hero who is defined by Lord Byron`s epic
narrative poem, Childe Harold`s Pilgrimage in 1812. For example, he disapproves social
institutions and social norms and he has some conflicts about emotions or moodiness. A
Byronic hero is a character who is angry and arrogant. Moreover, A Byronic hero doesn`t like
any women but Byronic hero has a kind of attraction for women. Mr. Heathcliff is also
Byronic Hero who has great talent, passion and lack of respect for rank and privilege. He is
Emily Bronte`s incomprehensible and cunning character in Wuthering Heights. He embodies
many themes and conflicts extensive in Victorian Literature. He reflects the dark and disorder
side of human nature. That is why, Emily Bronte used Gothic literature which is popular in
Victorian era in order to reflect dark atmosphere of human in Victorian period. His complex
relationships with characters, especially with Caterine Earnshaw, determine the Victorian
ideals of love, passion and social propriety. His passion for Catherine and his quest for
revenge illuminate the Victorian society`s conflicts. Mr. Heathcliff`s passionate and revenger
nature represents Victorian society`s anxieties about class, power and morality. In the novel,
Mr. Heathcliff has some struggles and conflicts of Victorian society. For example, the readers
cannot exactly understand where he is from. Because he is an orphan of unknown parentage.
Because of that, he has some problems about Earnshaw and Linton families. Because he is an
outsider who prevents the social order of Earnshaw and Linton families. It is possible to see
class distinction between characters and the destructive power of passion of Mr. Heathcliff.
"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!’’
This quote which is taking from chapter 16 in Wuthering Heights shows the readers Mr.
Heathcliff`s deep longing and heartbreak for Catherine Earnshaw. Mr. Heathcliff is very
passion for Catherine but despite his devotion and their love for each other, Catherine
doesn`t want to maintain her life with Mr. Heathcliff. In this quote serves Mr. Heathcliff`s
passion and anger feelings towards Catherine Earnshaw. The language used by Mr. Heathcliff
in this quote is full of passionate and desperate which reflect his profound emotion. As for
interpreting passion and love in terms of Victorian literature, they are the repeated themes
in the Victorian novels. Love and passion are generally in complex and often contradictory.
Victorian writers dealt with Victorian societal norms and morality which is regarding to love,
marriage and human relations. But these relationships between human being was very
complex because of class distinction, discrimination between men and women and the issue
of morality. That is why, in Wuthering Heights characters have also some conflicts and
problems about having sexual relations or personal relations. That is why, in Wuthering
Heights such as in many Victorian novels, passion and love are depicted as love which lead
the characters to happiness and deep despair.
“I cannot express it; but surely you and everybody have a notion that there is or should be an
existence of yours beyond you. What were the use of my creation, if I were entirely contained
here? My great miseries in this world have been Heathcliff's miseries, and I watched and felt
each from the beginning: my great thought in living is himself. 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: I should not seem a part of it. My love for Linton is
like the foliage in the woods: time will change it, I'm well aware, as winter changes the trees.
My love for Heathcliff resembles the eternal rocks beneath: a source of little visible delight,
but necessary. Nelly, I am Heathcliff! He's always, always in my mind: not as a pleasure, any
more than I am always a pleasure to myself, but as my own being.”
This important quote is taking from Catherine Earnshaw`s speech. She expresses openly her
intensity and deep feelings which represent themes of love and identity in Victorian context.
It is possible to talk about Existentialism by referring these words. Because Emily Bronte used
Existentialism in order to reflect Catherine`s identity and desire for independence which is
not possible for Victorian women.
As for difference between Catherine Earnshaw and Isabelle Linton, it is possible to talk about
gender issues in Victorian Society. Catherine Earnshaw and Isabelle Linton are two important
female characters in Wuthering Heights. They are different each other in terms of social
norms and expectations of Victorian period. They have just only in common with each other.
It is their passion and love for the protagonist, Mr. Heathcliff. Catherine Earnshaw is more
spirited and passionate than Isabelle Linton. Catherine opposes to societal norms and
expectations of her time. In general, she behaves like a man. She is in between her desire for
Mr. Heathcliff and the societal pressures that direct her towards Edgar Linton. Because Edgar
Linton came from a wealthy family and he is more suitable than Mr. Heathcliff according to
society. On the other hand, Isabelle Linton is more conventional and obedient to social
norms. She is like Angel in the House in Wuthering Heights. She is sensitive and embodying
the ideal Victorian woman in terms of social norms and manners unlike Catherine Earnshaw.
In the novel, she falls in love with Mr. Heathcliff but because of societal norms, she refuses
his love despite her true love and suffering. In terms of social status and class distinction,
Isabelle Linton comes from a higher social class but Catherine is born into the lower class.
That is why, their manners and thoughts are different each other. For example, Isabelle is
accustomed to comfort life but Catherine is like man and she lives in an isolated place at
Wuthering Heights. Moreover, their relationships and love for Mr. Heathcliff reflects complex
relations and contradictions feelings of human in the Victorian society.
In the Wuthering Heights, Earnshaw family consists of Mr. and Mrs. Earnshaw and their son
Hindley and their daughter, Catherine and then comes Mr. Heathcliff as an orphan child. On
the other hand, Linton family consists of Mr. and Mrs. Linton and their children Edgar and
Isabelle Linton. In terms of Victorian context, they are very different two families in the
novel. They are divided in terms of social class, and manner and Victorian values. For
example, The Earnshaw family represents lower class or working class of Victorian period.
They live in Wuthering Heights where is an isolated and rural farmhouse on the Yorkshire.
But Linton family represents higher class. It means that they are belonging to the higher
stage of Victorian society. They live in Thrushcross Grange which is suitable for rich family,
elegant and situated in more civilized environment. Moreover, Earnshaw family reflects the
passionate and wild nature of Victorian society. In contrast, Linton family is depicted as more
suitable for societal norms and manners. Additionally, the relationship between characters is
very significant in the novel. Because each family has their own communication. For example,
Catherine and Heathcliff have an intense and passionate love but at the same time betrayal
feelings. Hindley`s attitude for Heathcliff is also very considerable because Hindley feels a
kind of jealousy towards Mr. Heathcliff. Because he thinks that his father loves Mr. Heathcliff
more than Hindley. On the other hand, with Linton family, especially with Isabelle and
Edgar`s relations, it is possible to comprehend Victorian values. Because they respect for
each other and their relationships more conventional and measured. With these two
families, Emily Bronte explores and criticizes Victorian values and societal norms by
comparing characters in the Wuthering Heights. While Earnshaw family struggle with the
social order and norms, Linton family embodies the ideals of Victorian Society by
emphasizing manner, education, good communication and higher class in Victorian period.
Wuthering Heights is set in Yorkshire, England. It means that it is set in the harsh and isolated
land during the late 18th and 19th centuries which refers to Victorian Era. The setting in the
novel is significant because it reflects disorder and wild nature of human beings. The setting
is also regarding with the characters in the novel. Because in the novel it is possible to rigid
social rules of Victorian England, especially in terms of relationships between the Earnshaw
and Linton families. For example, Mr. Heathcliff as an orphan child, is brought into the
Earnshaw family and he faces a kind of discrimination because he doesn`t have any family
and he has lack of education. That is why, because of his lower social status he faces
mistreatment. This issue is also about the setting of the novel. Because Mr. Heathcliff doesn`t
have any background. The readers cannot exactly understand where he is from. That is why,
In the novel, there are some prejudices towards Mr. Heathcliff. That shows the readers the
ideals and division of classes in the Victorian period. Additionally, Wuthering Heights takes
place in a rural setting which reflects its isolation and far away from the societal changes like
industrialization. Because in Victorian period, Industrial revolution had a great impact on
Victorian society. On the other hand, Thrushcross Grange represents more refined and
civilized setting. The setting in the Wuthering Heights also refers to movement of
romanticism which was popular during the early 19th century. The wild and untamed nature
of wuthering heights reflects passions and emotions of the characters like Mr. Heathcliff and
Catherine. The setting in the novel explores the social, cultural and moral complexities of the
Victorian Era.
Gender roles and expectation of Victorian period is served by Wuthering Heights by referring
the norms and ideals of Victorian society. In the Wuthering heights, gender is depicted as
both passive and defensive in Victorian context. Victorian society introduced women as
passive, functionless and domestic beings. According to Victorian society, a Victorian woman
should be Angel in the House. However, in the novel, Catherine Earnshaw has some conflicts
about societal norms. That is why she struggles with expectations of Victorian society. He
defies societal norms by showing her independence and expressing herself. But despite
expressing her desires openly, she marry Edgar Linton by obeying the expectations of
Victorian society. Because according the Victorian novels, marriage means happy ending. In a
way, she submits by rejecting her passion for Mr. Heathcliff. In contrast, Isabelle Linton is
obeying social norms. She reflects passivity of Victorian women.
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, and [Edgar’s] is as different as a moonbeam
from lightning, or frost from fire.
In this quote, Catherine talks to Nelly about her acceptance of Edgar`s proposal. At that
point, Catherine behaves according to Victorian society. Because she actually falls in love
with Mr. Heathcliff but she rejects her love for him and she acknowledges that marrying
Edgar Linton is more suitable in terms of class and status. Despite her passion and deep
feelings for Heathcliff, she decided to marry Edgar Linton because of social conventions. This
quote also shows the readers the theme of class division and its effect on romantic
relationships in Victorian society. Because she chooses her love according to social status,
not her happiness. Her decision about marrying is based on harsh social hierarchy of the
time. That is why, she experiences some inner conflicts and her words represent the
complexities of love and expectations of Victorian society.
Marriage is one of the most important themes of Victorian Literature. Because according to
Victorian literature, the novel should be end with two choices; marriage and death. Victorian
novels are not open-ended. In Victorian novels, there must be marriage or death at the end.
That is why, marriage is depicted as complex issue because of the disorder relationships of
human. During the Victorian times women were supposed to marry men who were able to
support them. That is why, although Catherine does not feel any kind of love, she decides to
marry Edgar Linton. Marriage between Isabelle and Heathcliff is very significant in terms of
Victorian expectations. Because Mr. Heathcliff does not fall in love with Isabelle Linton. He
wants to take revenge from Catherine and Edgar because of her rejection for his love. But
Isabelle loves Mr. Heathcliff at the beginning. According to, Isabelle Linton is supposed to
marry a wealthy person but she rebels against her family`s expectations. After death of
Hindley, Mr. Heathcliff inherits Wuthering Heights and he becomes rich. However, he does
not have a rich background and he does not come from any wealthy family. That is why,
marriage of Isabelle and Mr. Heathcliff is not suitable for Linton family. At that point, there
are two kinds of marriage in the Wuthering Heights; marriage for love and marriage for duty.
There is a tension between love and duty in marriage. For example, Catherine and Heathcliff
share deep love but Catherine chooses to marry Edgar Linton due to societal pressure and
expectations of Victorian society.
As for servant class in Wuthering Heights, it plays a significant role because it reflects the
social hierarchy of Victorian society. For example, as a minor character in the novel, Joseph is
the servant at Wuthering Heights. He is very strange and stubborn character who reflects the
rigid moral values of the older generation. He is very religious person and because of that his
beliefs are based on Bible. Hareton Earnshaw is one of the most important servant classes.
He is the member of the Earnshaw family but he becomes a servant because of the Hindley`s
mistreatment afters the death of his parents. Despite his status, Hareton is depicted as proud
and resistant person. His feature reflects consequences of familial mistreatment of his time
in the novel.
‘And he’ll never be able to emerge from his bathos of coarseness and ignorance. I’ve got
him faster than his scoundrel of a father secured me. . . Don’t you think Hindley would
be proud of his son…almost as proud as I am of mine. But there’s this difference; one is
gold put to the use of paving-stones, and the other is tin polished to ape a service of
silver. Mine has nothing valuable about it; yet I shall have the merit of making it go as
far as such poor stuff can go. His had first-rate qualities, and they are lost: rendered
worse than unavailing.’
For example, this quote from Catherine Linton in the novel explores social status and the
issue of inheritance within the Victorian context. At that quote Catherine makes differe3nce
between Hareton Earnshaw and her own son, Linton Heathcliff. This reflects the rigid social
hierarchy of Victorian society.
Wuthering Heights divides between the old generation and the young generation. This
division reflects the themes of social change and shifting values of Victorian society. The
novel captures some changes such as shifting of social norms, industrialization by referring to
old and young generations. Although Emily Bronte focuses on the personal relationships and
conflicts about love, she also shows shifts in Victorian society. For example, in old generation
Catherine Earnshaw rejects her love for Mr. Heathcliff because of the societal expectations
but in young generation, Cathy Linton and Linton Heathcliff`s love defies social conventions
and familial expectations.
Wuthering Heights challenged with the Victorian values, conventions and societal norms by
referring characters` features dark and passion, revenge and desire for independence. Emily
Bronte valued her novel as a Victorian Novel thanks to her complex characters, atmospheric
setting and exploration of human nature. She also depicted moral and social values of the
Victorian era.

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