Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte – Book Review

Wuthering Heights, the only written novel by Emily Bronte creates a vivid sensation in the hearts of readers. It was written under the pseudonym Ellis Bell. The novel deals with two themes- Love and Hatred.

Heathcliff who was brought by Mr. Earnshaw to Wuthering Heights was tortured by his son Hindley Earnshaw. Heathcliff loved Hindley’s sister Catherine and in return she also loved him. But due to misunderstanding, Heathcliff thought that Catherine didn’t love him and he suddenly disappeared. Catherine then married Edgar Linton (the owner of Thrushcross Grange). Both Hindley and Edgar misbehaved with Heathcliff and he was always kept aloof because of his poor background. Frustrated Heathcliff decided to seek revenge. The whole plot revolves around Heathcliff seeking revenge by destroying the lives of others.

Wuthering Heights received a mixed criticism from its readers. In my opinion it is one of the epic novels in English fiction. The way the author described events has an immense passion in it. For instance, the description of Mr. Lockwood’s dream is remarkable. The novel employs the most original technique of narration. We have two narrators- Mr. Lockwood and Nelly Dean. The present situation of the plot is narrated by Mr. Lockwood and the story in flashback is narrated by Nelly Dean. Both the narrators take part in the events of the novel.

The novel contains so many characters that it can confuse readers to much extent. Even the dialogues of the servant Joseph is impossible for us to understand.

 

Favourite Quotes:

“…he’s more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made out of, his and mine are the same”.

“I have not broken your heart- you have broken it; and in breaking it, you have broken mine.”

 

The novel has a gripping plot with many dramatic situations which arouses mixed feelings in the heart of readers. When Heathcliff is tortured by Hindley, we feel pity. Again when Heathcliff forces Catherine (daughter of Catherine and Edgar Linton) to marry his son Linton Heathcliff, it arouses anger. Even the character of Catherine Earnshaw is uncertain.

The novel arouses a question in the hearts of a reader-

Was Heathcliff right in seeking revenge?

A question with different answers from different viewpoints. What’s your opinion?