The following term paper will deal with the several depictions of female protagonists in English literature while the focus will be on Catherine Earnshaw, the female protagonist in Emily Brontë's "Wuthering Heights", and the typical English characteristics. The character development will be analyzed in context of the concept of gender and compared to other English female protagonists. In order to so, firstly the principle of gender itself will be delineated, subsequently the characteristics of the Victorian Age will be briefly summarized. Thereafter, Catherine Earnshaw’s character development will be elaborated and its similarities with and differences from other female protagonists will be emphasized.
As for literature figures nowadays, Emily Brontë’s "Wuthering Heights" is a prime example for classic English literature of the Victorian Age, whereas coeval critics refused to accept the novel as appropriate according to the predominant behavior patterns and norms. Its solid position in classic English literature was not foreseeable then since Ellis Bell – the Brontë-sisters used to write under pseudonyms at the beginning – had been criticized for his violent and ruffian storyline and characters which were unconventional and shocking for a society in which it was not common to have or depict such strong and blatant feelings.
In contrast to the passionate and impulsive love story which also includes revenge, hate and violence, other authors such as Charlotte Brontë published works that were typical and appropriate for the mindset of Victorian people and managed to achieve purely success and admiration, for instance the governess-novel "Jane Eyre". Also Jane Austen’s "Pride and Prejudice" which has been published before the Victorian Age and tells the love story between Elizabeth Bennett and Fitzwilliam Darcy abides the common norms and fits into the sophisticated world Austen presents.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Theoretical Background
2.1 The Concept of Gender
2.2 The Depiction of Women in the Victorian Age
3. Emily Brontë’s Catherine Earnshaw in the Victorian Age
3.1 Emily Brontë
3.2 Wuthering Heights
3.3 Catherine Earnshaw – The Most Untypical Female Victorian Protagonist
4. Conclusion
5. Works Cited
Research Objectives and Themes
This paper explores the construction of gender roles and the depiction of women in 19th-century English literature, specifically focusing on Emily Brontë’s "Wuthering Heights". The study aims to contrast the traditional Victorian expectations of femininity with the unconventional, passionate, and rebellious character of Catherine Earnshaw to reveal broader societal mindsets of the era.
- Analysis of gender concepts and the Victorian social construct of the "angel in the house".
- Examination of the restrictive role of women in the 19th century and its impact on personal agency.
- Character study of Catherine Earnshaw as a departure from Victorian norms.
- Comparison of female protagonists across classic English literature.
- Investigation into how authorship and public perception influenced the literary representation of women.
Excerpt from the Book
3.3 Catherine Earnshaw – The Most Untypical Female Victorian Protagonist
To characterize Catherine Earnshaw, one should firstly draw attention to the environment Cathy grew up in: In contrast to the surroundings of Jane Austen’s protagonists, Cathy did not live in pompous housings and visited balls, but in the rough and secluded environment of the Yorkshire moors without any kind of social education (cf. Kestner 2011: 263). The Earnshaw’s housing Wuthering Heights is described as rustic, solid and functional (cf. Kestner 2011: 274) and therefore is the exact opposite of how the typical middle-class English Victorian girl or women was expected to live.
From her early childhood on, she has been stubborn, wild and passionate without hesitating to demonstrate her willful character, which could also be the consequence of her father solely paying attention to her if she did misbehave. As Nelly emphasizes “She was never so happy as when we were all scolding her at once” (Brontë 1847: 49) and always stood out with her behavior. The nanny further describes Cathy as one of a kind and remembers how she managed to do something forbidden in every second she was not under observation (cf. Kestner 2011: 278), and as “[a] wild, wicked slip […] but she had the bonniest eye, the sweetest smile, and lightest foot in the parish” (Brontë 1847: 49). According to Nelly her self-serving behavior had no black-hearted background, yet she disliked her commanding and prideful manner (cf. Kestner 2011: 271). Restricted by the religious constraints and suppressed by her brother Hindley, Cathy and Heathcliff unite completely.
Generally, Catherine avoids acting womanly and appropriate for girls and women in the Victorian Age, instead of being modest and conservative like the English women in the year 1847 should, she prefers being wild and frenetic (cf. Kestner 2011: 278). Brontë’s protagonist appears to be the most passionate character, unable to control her feelings and affects.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Outlines the significance of "Wuthering Heights" within Victorian literature and defines the paper's goal of analyzing Catherine Earnshaw’s character development.
2. Theoretical Background: Defines the concepts of gender as a social construct and summarizes the restrictive roles and expectations imposed on Victorian women.
3. Emily Brontë’s Catherine Earnshaw in the Victorian Age: Analyzes the author's background, the novel's critical reception, and explores Catherine’s character as a subversion of contemporary gender norms.
4. Conclusion: Synthesizes findings by confirming that Catherine Earnshaw stands as a defiant anti-heroine who challenges the conservative prototype of the 19th-century adolescent woman.
5. Works Cited: A list of academic sources and literature used to support the analysis.
Keywords
Wuthering Heights, Emily Brontë, Catherine Earnshaw, Victorian Age, Gender roles, Femininity, Literature, Social norms, Patriarchy, Character development, 19th-century literature, Female protagonists, Rebellion, Passion, Identity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this academic paper?
This paper examines how gender roles were depicted in 19th-century English literature, using Emily Brontë's "Wuthering Heights" as a case study to analyze the social expectations placed upon women during the Victorian Age.
Which historical context is essential to understanding this work?
The work focuses on the Victorian Age (1837–1901), characterized by strict social etiquettes, the "angel in the house" domestic ideal, and a patriarchal structure where women were often legally and socially subordinate to men.
What is the central research question?
The paper investigates how Catherine Earnshaw deviates from the conventional, submissive female archetype of the Victorian era and what this rebellion reveals about gender perceptions at that time.
Which scientific methods are applied in this analysis?
The paper employs a literary analysis method, comparing character development with sociological concepts of gender and evaluating the text against historical critiques of Victorian societal standards.
What key topics are addressed in the main body of the text?
The text covers the definition of gender, the historical reality for Victorian women, Emily Brontë’s unique literary contribution, and a detailed character analysis of Catherine Earnshaw.
How would you characterize the primary keywords of this study?
The study is characterized by terms related to Victorian literature, gender theory, specific protagonist analysis, and the cultural tensions between passion and societal propriety.
Why is Catherine Earnshaw described as an "untypical" protagonist?
She is considered untypical because she resists the modest, domestic, and reserved behavior expected of Victorian women, choosing instead to express intense passion, wildness, and willful independence.
What role does the environment play in Catherine’s character development?
Unlike the refined settings of other 19th-century novels, Catherine’s upbringing in the rugged, isolated Yorkshire moors at Wuthering Heights fosters her wild nature and protects her, to an extent, from formal social conditioning.
How does the author interpret the relationship between Catherine and Heathcliff?
The paper interprets their bond as a profound, androgynous, and soul-deep connection that defies the socially accepted, formal marriages of the time, eventually leading to conflict and tragedy.
Does the paper conclude that "Wuthering Heights" is a failure due to its violation of Victorian norms?
No, the paper argues the opposite: it posits that the novel’s ability to shock and challenge contemporary norms is exactly what secured its enduring position as a classic and original work of English literature.
- Citation du texte
- Talia Baskaya (Auteur), 2017, Emily Brontë's "Cathy from Wuthering Heights" (1847) during the Victorian Age. The Depiction of Women in English Literature of the 19th Century, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/513418
