Childhood is shown to be a be a bitter experience in Wuthering Heights

Childhood is shown to be a be a bitter experience in Wuthering Heights

1. Childhood is important to plot and structure

   • Nelly Dean's narrative insists on returning to when they were children.
   • Children are focused upon

2. Heathcliff

   • foundling ---> son ----> resented
     • revenge
   • Rejected by Cathy

3. Cathy I

   • Death of Father
     • inability to achieve behavioural maturity - becomes a double character
   • Loss of soul mate

4. Edgar and Isabella

   • spoiled
   • serve to exaggerate the poor conditions at Wuthering Heights.
     • Isabella vs. Heathcliffe - highlight the extent of his damage.

5. Unease created by the inception of Heathcliff

   • adheres to gothic tradition - proper hierarchy is disrupted.
     • 18th century family values are disintegrated (patriarchal lineage)