Cultural Context in Wuthering Heights

Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights is deeply embedded in its cultural context.

Understanding this background enhances our interpretation of its themes and characters.

Victorian Era Society and Its Influence

The novel was published in 1847, squarely within the Victorian era.

However, its setting is earlier, roughly from the late 18th to early 19th centuries.

This temporal gap allows Brontë to comment on societal changes and enduring issues.

Social Class and Hierarchy

Victorian society was rigidly structured by class.

Social mobility was extremely limited, especially for those without inherited wealth.

Heathcliff’s ambiguous origins and subsequent rise highlight this.

He experiences both the degradation of a servant and the power of a landlord.

Catherine’s decision to marry Edgar Linton over Heathcliff exemplifies class pressures.

She declares, “It would degrade me to marry Heathcliff now.”

Gender Roles and Expectations

Women in the Victorian era faced significant restrictions.

Their primary roles were domestic, focused on marriage and family.

Property rights were often limited, and legal independence was rare.

Catherine Earnshaw’s wild spirit clashes with these expectations.

Her societal choices lead to personal torment, reflecting these constraints.

Isabella Linton’s tragic marriage to Heathcliff further illustrates female vulnerability.

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The Gothic Tradition and Romanticism

Wuthering Heights draws heavily from both Gothic and Romantic literary traditions.

These movements were popular during Brontë’s time, shaping literary tastes.

Gothic Elements

Gothic literature often features remote settings, supernatural occurrences, and intense emotions.

Wuthering Heights itself, isolated and decaying, is a classic Gothic setting.

The presence of ghosts, like Catherine’s spirit, adds to the eerie atmosphere.

Heathcliff’s brooding nature and vengeful acts are also characteristic of Gothic villains.

This context contributes to the novel’s general vision and viewpoint of passion and darkness.

Romantic Ideals

Romanticism celebrated individualism, nature, and intense emotional experience.

The untamed moors symbolise the characters’ wild, untamed passions.

Catherine and Heathcliff’s profound, almost spiritual, connection embodies Romantic love.

Their desire for a love that transcends societal norms is fundamentally Romantic.

This contrasts sharply with the calculated marriages of convenience prevalent then.

The Author’s Context: Emily Brontë

Emily Brontë lived a relatively reclusive life on the Yorkshire moors.

Her personal experiences informed her understanding of isolation and nature.

Isolation and Nature

The Brontë sisters’ isolated parsonage mirrored the remote setting of the novel.

This environment fostered a deep connection to the natural world.

The harsh beauty of the moors is almost a character in itself.

It reflects the untamed spirits of Catherine and Heathcliff.

Critique of Societal Norms

Brontë, through her narrative, subtly critiques Victorian societal expectations.

She exposes the destructive power of class prejudice and gender constraints.

The tragic outcomes for many characters suggest a commentary on these rigid structures.

Her purpose was not merely entertainment, but also social observation.

Connecting Context to Meaning

The cultural context deepens our appreciation of the novel’s themes.

It explains the motivations behind key character decisions and their consequences.

Love and Social Status

Catherine’s choice reflects the profound impact of social standing on personal happiness.

Her internal conflict, “I am Heathcliff,” yet she marries Edgar, is central.

This highlights the era’s emphasis on status over true affection.

Revenge and Property

Heathcliff’s vengeful schemes are rooted in his early dispossession and humiliation.

His acquisition of Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange reflects the importance of property.

Land ownership was a primary determinant of power and status.

The Supernatural and Fate

The Gothic elements allow Brontë to explore themes of fate and destiny.

The idea of a love so powerful it transcends death is a Romantic ideal.

This context enriches the general vision and viewpoint of inevitable, passionate connection.

Related Pages

• Wuthering Heights Study Guide
• Wuthering Heights Summary
• Themes in Wuthering Heights
• Key Moments in Wuthering Heights
• Key Quotes in Wuthering Heights
• Ending of Wuthering Heights Explained