by Alexandra Finnigan (Tue Dec 29, 2009)
The
classic novel ‘Wuthering Heights' by Emily Brontë has always been described as
one of the most romantic texts of all time. The passionate hero (Heathcliff)
and his heroine (Catherine) have been referred to time and time again as
literature's greatest couple. But re-reading the novel recently, I realised
that perhaps there is more to the text than simply a romantic interpretation.
Whilst
the chemistry between Heathcliff and Catherine is undeniable, there are dark,
turbulent and violent aspects that I had not noticed before. I had always
believed that the narrative show-cased the pinnacle of Romantic love, but now I
am not so sure. I believe this misconception may have been spurred on by
the numerous films and television adaptations which have picked up on the basic
love plot, but then left pretty much everything else out. Elements such as
Catherine's violent death, her masochistic qualities and her cruel treatment of
the man she is supposed to love are skimmed over. Similarly, Heathcliff is
presented not as the text suggests - a dark, troubled man - but as a strong and
silent hero.
Readers
at the time of publication in 1847 were shocked at the violent content of the
novel. Emily's sister Charlotte (who wrote ‘Jane Eyre') tried to smooth things
over in her Preface to the text by stating that her sweet innocent sister had
not understand the shocking images she had produced: ‘Having formed these beings, she [Emily] did not know what she had done.' The frightening visions of bleeding ghosts, strangled puppies and
exhumed corpses are just a few examples of the more unorthodox moments in the
text. Did Emily realize what she had done when she described the violent,
sadomasochistic love between the hero and the heroine? Or as her sister
claims, did she have no idea how the words she had written formed on the page
in front of her?
Emily creates a strange and solitary world for
these characters to live in. The novel is set in the natural harshness of the Yorkshire
Moors. The spooky house of Wuthering Heights - which plays an important role in
the text - is guarded by hounds so ferocious that they could be from
hell. The story is narrated by the orthodox Christian and servant Nelly
Dean who witnesses the events that take place.
If, at this point you are thinking that it doesn't
sound like the book for you, don't give up yet. This is just one of the darker
and more gothic interpretations, however there are many other ways of looking
at the novel. If you do like a bit of romance and can look beyond the strange
nature of the main relationship, there are some of the most powerfully romantic
lines of literature ever written. Just as Nelly Dean puts her faith in a
Christian God, Heathcliff and Catherine worship
no God but each other. Just as Dumbledore warns Harry Potter about his
relationship with Voldemort, ‘One cannot live while the other survives,'
Catherine and Heathcliff are destined for a tragic ending too. This is an
absolute classic, and just because it doesn't conform to the usual (and
predictable) romance plot, it doesn't mean it's not a fantastic read!
