Chantel's Reviews > Wuthering Heights

** spoiler alert ** It is important to note that the majority of the themes explored in this book deal with sensitive subject matters. My review, therefore, touches on these topics as well. Many people might find the subject matters of the book as well as those detailed in my review overwhelming. I would suggest you steer clear of both if this is the case. Please note that from this point forward I will be writing about matters which contain reflections on physical abuse, child endangerment, psychological abuse, substance abuse, & others.

This is my second time reading this book. As younger generations become made aware of the Classics—the books that hold the entirety of literary weight on their shoulders—I have heard many conflicting opinions about what this story is truly about. Having read this book several years ago I felt it was my responsibility to revisit the pages of Brontë’s controversial work; reminiscing about the horrendous characters that plague the pages & the detailed actions of their terror upon everyone who crosses their paths.

I would be loathed to say that this is a romance. I cannot begin to imagine why anyone would call upon the characters of Heathcliff & Catherine as models of true love & longing. That being said, I can appreciate that a great many novels found in the romance genre portray less than healthy relationships as well as detrimental views on what should & can be expected of a partner. Therefore, I must acknowledge that the same people who view torrential relationships as the epitome of romance might very well regard the love found in this story as something that would transcend the ages.

Many people have read this book. It is required reading for University courses & is highly referenced in popular culture. In that same breath, the simple act of recognizing a piece does not lead one to an understanding of its moral or plot essence. For this reason, I will begin at the start.

This book is riddled with antagonists. It is a story that leads the reader to question whether or not it is appropriate or wrong to seek to sympathize with any one of the slew of characters. When Heathcliff is introduced into the story one is automatically filled with despair. This is a child that was, assumedly, abandoned by their parents to a life of begging on the streets of a city in the hopes of securing food for survival. When Mr. Heathcliff (Sr.) brings the child home he is abused by the eldest of the two biological children in the home. Physical blows are commonly employed in a fit of longing to degrade Heathcliff into recognizing that he is beneath everyone else. His genetic makeup is referenced often enough that the reader can deduce that the ‘gypsy’ child is not ancestral to England—his skin holds more melanin than everyone else in this story & it seems, everyone else in the town.

At no point is Heathcliff given a fighting chance. The Patriarch does express fond feelings for his adopted child but does not treat any of the children with an exuberance of kindness which might leave them with the class & gentility to treat another person with respect. The epitome of the relationships of everyone under Wuthering Heights’ roof is the exemplary character & brute ability of one to surpass the other. Though we read about Catherine becoming friends with Heathcliff, there is no clear demonstration of goodness amongst anyone in this story.

This fact is highlighted as we move forward. As adults, once the violent children find that their characters have been unmoved by the passing of their parents, their loved ones or the change of the times. Of course, there are instances wherein we are privy to their desire for peace, both amongst each other & within themselves. It is rare enough that a person might be filled to the brim with evil. Yet, Heathcliff cannot speak to Catherine about his growing love nor can Catherine pause her insistent idiotic monologues for long enough to observe that she is not alone in her feelings towards Heathcliff.

There are so many instances within this book that left me riddled with irritation. Most of the secondary characters felt like wet noodle versions of whole people. I suppose this can be expected when they are paired to be contrasted to behemoths such as Catherine who pushes her husband to the brink of death by pursuing a romantic relationship with Heathcliff; & just as Heathcliff physically abuses everyone under the roof of his house throughout the longevity of his adult years. The facts which might leave one with sentiments of sadness towards these characters soon evaporate, never to be found again. Yet, I have loved this book since my first time reading it.

Enough praise cannot be given to the author who is able to include fully dimensional characters who all hold so much hate in their hearts yet perpetrate such hatred in unique ways. To marry the sister of your enemy knowing it would cause them pain, to scam them out of their estate; to watch that same person cry out into the night because they feel an inch of remorse for the absence of the person they did love. That is not to say that I would want to be the Catherine to Heathcliff; I’d rather not die of hysteria because I cannot find it in myself to manage my own emotions & spew hatred & malaise onto everyone in my environment. But, I can appreciate that reading about Heathcliff feeling the absence of Catherine might lead one to want to believe that what he felt was love & not, shall we say, selfish regret for what he cannot possess.

Every time I think about this story, I am led to want to read it again. The imagery plays so powerfully in my mind & with every reading I have come to find new things to grasp; further understanding & depth within a story of antagonists who played the game of chess against themselves in a bid to overthrow another player who was in the midst of a solitary game themselves.

For those who have claimed that it is not enjoyable to read about horrible people, you are correct. There is little pleasure to be derived from reading about repeated abuse, selfishness, willful ignorance, greed & violence. However, if you can look past the simple evil that is presented & seek to place your mind within the gloomy moors you might find much to be appreciated. The writing style is one which I have cherished deeply; reading a story through a verbal retelling is wonderful & I truly appreciate the involvement of secondary & tertiary characters who reveal the hidden quirks of those primary characters we assume ourselves to know & understand.

I am certain to revisit this book again in the future. How can there be so much to long for within the actions of those who seek to repel any ounce of tenderness? I have found there to be an abundance when the author evokes visceral writing.