Emily Brontë died almost exactly one year after the publication of her novel, so she was not able to follow the course it was taking in criticism very long. Since reviewers attacked Wuthering Heights and its author, Emily’s older sister Charlotte Brontë (1816-1855) felt urged to defend the value of the novel. She did that in her famous Editor’s Preface to the New Edition of Wuthering Heights of 1850, but not without complaining about several aspects of the novel herself. Also, the preface could not “provoke any reviews which showed more complete understanding” .
It is not easy for a modern reader to imagine what exactly in Wuthering Heights made the feelings of the reviewers run so high at the time of the first publication of the novel. Moral standards and expectations towards a work of art were quite different then from how they are today. This essay, therefore, will discuss how the novel violated the moral values of the Victorian time and aroused disgust in contemporary readers by taking a closer look at the two main characters. But first it will look at the artistic complaints of the reviewers and the expectations of the Victorian readership in order to give an impression of the ideas of the time.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
1.1 Coarseness of Language
1.2 The Expectations of the Victorian Reader
2. Heathcliff
2.1 “Thou shalt not kill”
2.2 “Thou shalt not commit adultery”
2.3 “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house”
2.4 Violence
2.5 Judgement of Heathcliff’s behaviour
3. Catherine Earnshaw
4. Conclusion
5. Bibliography
Research Objectives and Themes
This essay explores the historical reception of Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights by analyzing how its narrative and character depictions challenged the moral and artistic standards of the Victorian era, focusing specifically on the non-conformist behavior of its primary protagonists.
- Victorian moral expectations and the critique of contemporary literature
- The role of "Christian ethics" and the Ten Commandments in interpreting the novel
- Heathcliff’s character as a subversion of Victorian heroic ideals
- Catherine Earnshaw’s complex motivations and rejection of societal expectations
- The clash between narrative content and the demands of the 19th-century reading public
Excerpt from the Book
2.4 Violence
Throughout the whole book, Heathcliff shows the reader how violent he can be. Apart from his murders discussed above, he is especially cruel towards his wife Isabella, whose puppy he kills and whom he torments constantly, so that she ultimately flees from him. Regarding his treatment of Isabella, he himself declares:
“I have no pity! The more the worms writhe, the more I yearn to crush out their entrails! It is a moral teething, and I grind with greater energy, in proportion to the increase of pain.”
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter outlines the critical backlash Wuthering Heights faced upon its publication due to its perceived coarseness and lack of morality.
1.1 Coarseness of Language: The section examines how contemporary reviewers objected to the harsh, uncouth dialogue used by the characters in the novel.
1.2 The Expectations of the Victorian Reader: This part discusses the prevailing desire of 19th-century readers for literature to provide clear moral guidance and reflect established societal values.
2. Heathcliff: An analysis of Heathcliff as the novel's antagonist, focusing on his repeated violations of both social rules and religious commandments.
2.1 “Thou shalt not kill”: An examination of the deaths surrounding Heathcliff, including Hindley Earnshaw and Linton, and his potential culpability.
2.2 “Thou shalt not commit adultery”: A discussion on the complex, non-physical but spiritually transgressive relationship between Heathcliff and Catherine.
2.3 “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house”: This section explores Heathcliff's vengeful acquisition of property and his manipulation of others.
2.4 Violence: A look at Heathcliff’s physical and psychological cruelty, particularly toward his wife Isabella.
2.5 Judgement of Heathcliff’s behaviour: This chapter analyzes how characters within the novel perceive Heathcliff, highlighting that the villain remains largely unpunished.
3. Catherine Earnshaw: An exploration of Catherine’s character, contrasting her passionate, wild nature with the ideal of the submissive, duty-bound Victorian woman.
4. Conclusion: The summary confirms that the main characters act outside of Victorian norms, often leaving contemporary readers with a sense of moral ambiguity.
5. Bibliography: A comprehensive list of the primary and secondary sources used to support the analysis.
Keywords
Wuthering Heights, Emily Brontë, Victorian Age, literary criticism, morality, Heathcliff, Catherine Earnshaw, Christian ethics, social norms, 19th-century literature, reception history, transgression, narrative, novel, Victorian values.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this academic paper?
The paper examines why Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights was initially rejected by Victorian critics, specifically focusing on how the protagonists' behaviors violated the era's moral and aesthetic expectations.
What are the central themes discussed in the analysis?
The central themes include the clash between artistic freedom and Victorian moralism, the definition of the "villain" in the novel, and the subversion of gender and social roles.
What is the primary research question?
The essay aims to uncover why the contemporary readers of the 1850s were so repulsed by the novel's content and how the actions of Heathcliff and Catherine specifically contributed to this widespread disapproval.
Which methodology does the author use?
The author uses a comparative approach, utilizing the Ten Commandments as an alternative framework to evaluate the ethical transgressions committed by the novel’s characters.
What topics are covered in the main section?
The main section analyzes the characters of Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw, evaluating their actions against moral benchmarks like the prohibition of murder, adultery, and covetousness, as well as their general disregard for Victorian domestic ideals.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Keywords include Wuthering Heights, Victorian values, literary criticism, moral standards, Heathcliff, Catherine Earnshaw, and 19th-century reception.
How does the author interpret Catherine’s marriage to Edgar Linton?
The author interprets her marriage as a complex decision driven by a mix of social necessity, pride, and a misguided belief that his wealth could help her support Heathcliff, rather than a simple act of love.
Does the author suggest that the novel is completely amoral?
No, the author argues that while the primary protagonists lack traditional morality, other characters like Nelly Dean and Lockwood serve as proxies for conventional judgment, though their presence is often not enough to satisfy Victorian moral expectations.
- Quote paper
- Ole Wagner (Author), 2005, 'Wuthering Heights' and Victorian values, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/75057
