General overview of the African Prose: Non-African Prose-Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte - SS2 Literature Lesson Note

General Overview of "Wuthering Heights" by Emily Brontë:

"Wuthering Heights" is a novel by Emily Brontë, published in 1847. It is a dark and passionate tale set in the moorlands of Yorkshire, England, during the early 19th century. The novel is known for its gothic elements, complex characters, and themes of love, revenge, social class, and isolation. It is narrated through the perspectives of several characters and explores the destructive consequences of unbridled emotions.

Character Analysis in "Wuthering Heights":

Major Characters:

1. Heathcliff: Heathcliff is a mysterious and brooding figure who is brought to Wuthering Heights as a child and grows up alongside Catherine. His intense love for Catherine drives much of the plot, and his desire for revenge against those who wronged him is a central theme.

2. Catherine Earnshaw (Cathy): Catherine is a complex character and Heathcliff's soulmate. Her decision to marry Edgar Linton, a man of higher social class, sets off a chain of events that lead to tragedy.

3. Edgar Linton: Edgar is Catherine's husband and a member of the wealthy Linton family. He is portrayed as a gentle and refined character, in contrast to Heathcliff.

4. Nelly Dean: Nelly is the housekeeper at Thrushcross Grange and later at Wuthering Heights. She serves as the primary narrator and provides insights into the lives of the characters.

Minor Characters:

1. Isabella Linton: Isabella is Edgar's sister and becomes Heathcliff's wife, although their marriage is tumultuous and ends in tragedy.

2. Hindley Earnshaw: Hindley is Catherine's older brother and initially despises Heathcliff. His descent into alcoholism and mistreatment of Heathcliff play a significant role in the story.

3. Joseph: Joseph is the religious and cantankerous servant at Wuthering Heights, known for his rigid religious beliefs.

4. Hareton Earnshaw: Hareton is Hindley's son and represents the theme of generational cycles of abuse and mistreatment.

Roles and Significance of Major/Minor Characters:

- Heathcliff: Heathcliff is the central figure, and his character embodies the destructive power of unchecked emotions, revenge, and the consequences of social isolation.

- Catherine Earnshaw: Catherine's character represents the conflict between love and social expectations, and her choices have far-reaching effects on the other characters.

- Edgar Linton: Edgar represents the gentility and refinement of the upper class but is also seen as weak in contrast to Heathcliff's intensity.

- Nelly Dean: Nelly serves as the narrator and provides a perspective on the events that unfold, often acting as a mediator and observer.

Relationships Between Major/Minor Characters:

- The love triangle between Heathcliff, Catherine, and Edgar is at the heart of the novel. Catherine's conflicted feelings for both men and her eventual choice drive much of the plot.

- The tumultuous relationships between characters like Heathcliff and Hindley, Heathcliff and Isabella, and Hareton and Heathcliff highlight the themes of abuse, revenge, and generational consequences.

- The narrative structure relies on Nelly Dean's relationships with the characters as she narrates their stories, serving as a link between the major and minor characters.

In "Wuthering Heights," the interactions and relationships between major and minor characters serve to explore themes of love, revenge, social class, and isolation. The complex and flawed characters drive the narrative, while their interactions shape the tragic and tumultuous events of the story.