Dissonance of Social Classes within Society

Dissonance of Social Classes within Society

Alice Quach

Mayde Creek High School

Introduction

Wuthering Heights, a novel eccentrically written by Emily Bronte in 1847,

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has left a long lasting eminence in the world of English Literature. The novels unique nature envelopes

a Gothic ideal, one embellished with ties of passionate love; the other of, complex sensations of

intense solitude and desolation. Both these features intertwine within one another, forming the

peculiar preliminaries of Brontes story of romance. However, subsequently of the novels

publication, reviews collided with harsh criticism. Victorian critics were appalled by the brutal

aspects embedded in the particular genre of romance; recommending that young females stray

away from this novel (Slezovic,2013,p.1). Evidently, creative expression in females were denied

in authorship during the 19th century, and hardly received recognition. Nonetheless, today in

modern society Bronte is revered as an accomplished, talented writer- recognized for her highly

rated novel, Wuthering Heights. Alike with the authors birthplace, the novels setting outlines

itself in the desolate essences of Yorkshire- along the verdant moors of Northern England. The

environment alone has shaped the central qualities in the story, mainly revolving around the

implications of societys perspectives of social statuses. Distinctly, the setting of England during

the 19th century grasped the authoritative oppressions of a monarch sphere of influence, leading

to an emphasis of social hierarchy that ruled over every individual. Each and every form of

action and lifestyle lead to a direct impact on ones reputation in life. This was mostly defined

within the distinctive borders of low, middle, and high classes. The story emphasizes this

quintessential demeanor between the lives of each and every character. Essentially, Emily

Brontes ravishing novel titled Wuthering Heights delves into the obscurities of romance-

defining how social class statuses affect individuals within society.

Scholarly Article

Selma Slezovics literary criticism of Wuthering Heights guides an intricate principle of

how both characters, Heathcliff and Catherine, seed a youthful passionate bond; that eventually
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sprouts into a garden of tragic love thats ordained within the strict borderlines of class

distinctions. Eventually, the fates of these two mold into selfishness and corruption; further

stressing their love for each other in aspects of obsession, and remorse. Social status imperatively

marks prestigious influence on ones life; thus the characters in this novel are easily wavered to

pursue any desires to attain divine essences of nobility- heavily impacting relations around them.

Agreeably, Slezovics analysis of Wuthering Heights accentuates the aspects of social status in

the novel. Slezovic states, Catherine and Heathcliff are doomed to tragic love, because

Heathcliff was not onto the same social level as Catherine was (2013,p.2). As Slezovic

expresses that they are doomed, it seems to be that the distinctions of social classes determines

an inevitable fate between Heathcliff and Catherine- that they are unable to unite their love

together. Tragic as it is, they were also both childhood friends whom cultivated a profound love

for eachother. Both their personalities exhibited a clicking chemistry of their wild, and passionate

characters. Their emotions towards each other exists on the mindset that they are soulmates.

Catherine expresses that Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the

same(Bronte,1907,p.127). However, that soon came out as ambiguous as Catherine had met a

high class man named Edgar. Immediately, her interest for this man is heightened, as she

interacts with his ...more refined behavior (Slezovic,2013,p.15). As this man appears in front

of her very eyes,embellished with wealth and noble manners; Catherines love for both men

becomes ...equally interested in Edgar and Heathcliff (Slezovic,2013,p.15). How powerful

ones representation of nobility in society, through manners, appearance, and wealth, could be

able to waver the feelings of a woman so easily. After, Catherine is swayed by this wealthy

nobleman, she decides to marry him. Oddly, despite her everlasting bond with Heathcliff, it

seems to be that Edgar is a more favorable bachelor to her benefit. Heathcliff in Catherines eyes,
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is a poor man whom possesses no wealth; a childhood friend merely picked off the slums in

Liverpool. This portrays the standards society has raised: Edgars superficial essence in contrast

with a heartfelt love for Heathcliff; represents the acceptance of identity society offers, that

Catherine takes to obtain higher qualities. Catherine has expressed to her house keeper, Nelly,

that It would degrade me to marry Heathcliff now(Bronte,1845,p.15) thus correlating her

desire of materialism, to be the greatest woman of the neighborhood by marrying Edgar

(Bronte,1845,p.15). Although Catherines love for Heathcliff remains profoundly strong,

Slezovic states that Catherine does not consider personal feelings, but instead, she focuses on

her outward appearance to society (Slezovic,2013,p.16). Social status affects the interactions

between Catherine and Heathcliff. The prominence society has placed on social status has

impacted both Heathcliff and Catherines relationship negatively. As Heathcliff realizes his self-

worth is downgraded, he is immersed in abiding angony, and pursues the journey for revenge;

the catalyst of Wuthering Heights tragic love story. In the end, both Heathcliff and Catherines

relationship suffer detrimental consequences.

Style Analysis

From Emily Brontes writings in her novel Wuthering Heights, she accrues a multitude of

eloquence in her literary work. First, she is voluminous in adapting each and every characters

thoughts to signify elements of intense emotion through the structures of her sentences with the

use of dashes. Where is she? Not THERE - in heaven - not perished - where?...And I pray one

prayer - I repeat it till my tongue stiffens - Catherine Earnshaw, may you not rest as I am living;

You said I killed you - haunt me, then!(Bronte,1907,p.268). The continuous use of punctuation

in the form of question marks, portrays Heathcliffs obsession for Catherine, constantly

questioning the location of her presence. Bronte then amplifies the dramatic expression
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Heathcliff is in, giving notions of brief breaths (pauses) through dashes, and each word after

heightens with intense anguish. The love rejection of Heathcliff by the subjugation of societys

class standards on Catherine- distraught the relationship between the two. Heathcliff becomes of

a more terrorizing, brutal man from ones societal influenced rejection. Despite the conflict of

both characters, Heathcliff is yet, still bound to Catharine and intentionally disappears to come

back as a educated, wealthy nobleman. As he experiences her passing, his revenge is only

continued, along with his strong obsessions for her, as portrayed in his dramatic sayings. Bronte

also implicates the effect of social status in diction aspects. Joseph, a servant of low class at

Wuthering Heights exclaims, Theres nobbut t missis; and shooll not oppen t an ye mak yer

flaysome dins till neeght (Bronte,1907,p.13). This vernacular essence exhibits extraordinary

evidence of a lack of education; thus deemed a servant, he is entitled very low in social status. In

contrast, as Heathcliff comes back a nobleman, his diction is elevated to where he is deemed

socially lavish. As he says I wonder you should select the thick of a snow-storm to ramble about

in. Do you know that you run a risk of being lost in the marshes? People familiar with these

moors often miss their road on such evenings; and I can tell you there is no change of a change at

present (Bronte,1857,p17). Quintessentially, Heathcliffs higher social position as an owner of

Wuthering Heights notions exquisite use of verbal qualities, as of Joseph, whose deemed as low

as a servant-lacks basic pronunciations. At last, the dark, inklings of gothic elements shine

through Brontes writing as well. As Heathcliff returns with inclination of social grace, Bronte

describes him as A half-civilized ferocity lurked yet in the depressed brows and eyes full of

black fire, but it was subdued; and his manner was even dignified: quite divested of roughness,

though stern for grace (1907,p.152). Heathcliff is being observed in every intricate aspect, as

his personality corresponds to his appearance, but with a slight change. He is being portrayed as
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ferocious, as evident in his thirst for revenge; which allows the emergence of where his actions

cause a relationship of suffering to others- and himself. The dark animosity along with disdain

swells in his eyes, as the fire described indicates the passion he has to pursue his revenge. The

sensations of horror of Heathcliffs character embeds the gloomy, gothic tone. Again, the

foundation of Heathcliffs revenge remains from the societal instances brought upon by

Catherine, His revenge fills him with determination to rank up in social status. As described in

his appearance, the beauty of his social rank seems to slightly mask Heathcliffs true, horrific

personality.

Literary Theory Article

Terry Eagleton extensively critiques the chaos attributes of Wuthering Heights through a Marxist

lens, implicating that it is a result of merely social class conflict. Agreeably, a critique through a

marxist quality could be deemed viable in the analysis of this tragic love story. Eagleton

addresses that Wuthering Heights ...depicts characters forced to choose between desire and

physical comfort, integrity and social convention, passionate being and economic well-being,

living and surviving(Eagleton,1995). This event of social struggle can be highlighted between

the relationship of Heathcliff and Catherine. With regards to social class struggle, Catherine is

between two bachelors- one deemed low as a servant, yet has relations of genuine love with, and

the other of noble wealth, whom could grant materialistic virtues. However, it didnt take long

for Catherine to decide whom her mind had chosen. As a fact, the English society during the 19th

centuries set the standards for women that, social level was very significant, and the status and

well being of one depended on marriage. Those entitled with abundances of wealth had great

influence, and extravagant political power, which could be still linked to modern-day society.

Clearly, the benefits are evident in choosing Edgar. As Heathcliff realizes how conflicted social
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class has intertwined him with love, he journeys off for three years to acquire enough cultural

capital to compete with Edgar(Eagleton,1995). When Heathcliff returns with utmost

outrageous social aura, Eagleton states that he represents a turbulent form of capitalist

aggression...As it will be in the case of his surrogate Hareton (Eagleton,1995). Heathcliff is

overwhelmed with authority, and abuses his power to overcome any class struggle, warning that

should he offer to leave me, hes a dead man: persuade him to attempt it, and you are a

murderess! Am i to lose ALL without a chance of retrieval? Is Hareton to be a beggar? Oh,

damnation! I WILL have it back; and Ill have HIS gold too; and then his blood; and hell shall

have his soul! It will be ten times blacker with that guest than ever it was

before!(Bronte,1875,p.224). Heathcliffs representation of true expression of revenge on his is

directed to his family members. His frustrations revolve around the mind of a dictator, which

exhibits his dominating socio-economic status hes worked so hard to get through. Alike with ties

of modern society, the greater power one obtains through social class, the higher chance one will

abuse it.

Conclusion

Ultimately, Emily Brontes portrayal of a tragic love story in Wuthering Heights is

epitomized through the very essences of mere social class distinctions. Although Heathcliff and

Catherine had a bond of profound love, nevertheless, Heathcliffs inferiority in rank gave an

inevitable distaste to Catherine, whom chose the nobleman Edgar over their genuine love. The

tragedy enveloped around high standardized social spheres that resulted in conflictions; thus

giving the potential to disintegrate further relations with any individual of inferior and superior

statuses. Lower classes tend to resent those superior of them; abiding hatred from environments

of oppression. Higher classes are entitled strength, strength construes authority, and authority
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induces the way for abuse of power. After being rejected wholeheartedly by Catherine, Heathcliff

pursues a mindset of revenge, climbing to the highest entitlements of a Noble. Along with

corrupting himself, his authority of property enables him to mistreat individuals around him.

Society class standards have fabricated lifestyles into elevated orders of organization, each

determining ones self worth and treatment, as portrayed in each and every trait of Wuthering

Heights characters. Society has shaped people in a way, where economic, materialistic

attainment leads to better lifestyles, and as a result- neglect those deemed with indigent statuses.

There is always a dissonance of social classes within society.

References

Bront, E. (1907). Wuthering Heights. In E. Bront, Wuthering Heights (pp. 1-354). New York:

Doubleday, Page & Company. Retrieved from http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?

p=GLS&sw=w&u=j101914005&v=2.1&it=r&id=GALE

%7CCX2629000007&asid=a70225bf6920fa44e118592b42d3f832

Eagleton, T. (1995). Heathcliff and the Great Hunger. London: Verso.

Slezovic, S. (2013). Social status as an aspect in novels Pride and Prejudice and Wuthering Heights.

Retrieved December 09, 2016, from Academia.edu,

https://www.academia.edu/6916563/Social_Status_as_an_aspect_in_Wuthering_Heights_and_Pr

ide_and_Prejudice
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