Good versus evil in Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heigts
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Course
Engels
Level
VWO / Gymnasium
Book
Wuthering Heights
This is an English literary analysis of Emily Brontë's book Wuthering Heights.
The main thesis is: “Emily Brontë shows the distinction between good and evil in her novel through the setting, characters and the internal conflict the protagonists bear.”
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Good versus evil
Good and evil are two things in life that are the complete opposite, but can not exist
without each other. This is an important theme in Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights,
which follows the life of Heathcliff and the turmoil he faces with his new family,
Catherine in particular. Emily Brontë shows the distinction between good and evil in
her novel through the setting, characters and the internal conflict the protagonists
bear.
Throughout the novel Thrushcross Grange and its inhabitants are projected as being
good. Contrasting this is Wuthering heights being presented as bad. This first
becomes clear in the name. Lockwood explains that ‘’wuthering’’ means ‘’... the
atmospheric tumult to which its station is exposed in stormy weather.’’ (4).
Additionally the house is being described as having ‘’... gaunt thorns all stretching
their limbs one way, as if craving alms of the sun.” (4). This gives the reader the
perception of Wuthering heights being grim and not well cared for.
Unlike Wuthering Heights, Thrushcross Grange is being described as ‘’ . . . a
splendid place carpeted with crimson … , and a pure white ceiling bordered by gold,
. . . .’’ (48). This description states the warm and inviting character of Thrushcross
Grange. This is the complete opposite of Wuthering Heights. Thrushcross Grange is
everything deemed good and Wuthering heights is everything considered bad.
The contrast between Thrushcross Grange and Wuthering Heights is central
to the novel as a motif. Contrasting good and evil helps to better understand the
struggle the characters face between morality and immorality.
Another illustration of the distinction between good and evil is the contrast between
Catherine and Heathcliff. Catherine is seen as a morally good person while Heathcliff
is often described as evil. Catherine and Thrushcross Grange are very much alike in
the fact that they are both seen as calm and civilized appearances. This is specified
when Catherine stays at the Grange for five weeks and returns a ‘’ … a very
dignified person … ‘’ (53). This states that the Grange changed Catherine for the
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