Running head: WUTHERING HEIGHTS AND THRUSHCROSS GRANGE
Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange: The Negative and the Positive
Ariane N. Sagun
University of Guam
Author Note
Ariane N. Sagun, Department of English and Applied Linguistics, University of Guam.
Correspondence concerning this paper should be addressed to Ariane N. Sagun,
Department of English and Applied Linguistics, University of Guam, Mangilao, GU 96923.
E-mail: arianesagun@gmail.com
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WUTHERING HEIGHTS AND THRUSHCROSS GRANGE
Abstract
This paper is about Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange, and how each house is the
opposite of the other. Wuthering Heights represents the negative and Thrushcross Grange
represents the positive. These differences can be seen with the description of the houses in the
book as well as with the characters, its residents. Wuthering Heights is also associated with the
wild and uncivilized while Thrushcross Grange is associated with polite civilized society.
Keywords: wuthering heights, Thrushcross grange, social class
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WUTHERING HEIGHTS AND THRUSHCROSS GRANGE
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Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange: The Negative and the Positive
The events that unfold in Wuthering Heights take place primarily in only two settings.
The first of the two settings is Wuthering Heights, and the second is Thrushcross Grange.
Through the use of these two homes, Bronte weaves a tale of revenge, cruelty, and obsessive
love. Of these two homes, Wuthering Heights represents the negative while Thrushcross Grange
represents the positive. The discrepancy between the houses is readily seen in the actions and
attitudes of its residents.
The introduction to Wuthering Heights starts with the introduction of Mr. Lockwood as a
new tenant at Thrushcross Grange. Mr. Lockwood’s description of Wuthering Heights is
wuthering, and that it is an immense intimidating structure. His words were:
One may guess the power of the north wind blowing over the edge, by the excessive slant
of a few stunted firs at the end of the house; and by a range of gaunt thorns all stretching
their limbs one way, as if craving alms the sun, (Brontë, 1847, p. 1).
The choice of words gives off an ominous feeling, especially the ending part about the seeking
warmth from the sun.
On the other hand, Thrushcross Grange is beautiful and can seem almost like Eden,
(Burns, 1986). In his enthusiasm, young Heathcliff described it as:
A splendid place carpeted with crimson, and crimson-covered chairs and tables, and a
pure white ceiling bordered by gold, a shower of glass-drops hanging in silver chains
from the centre, and shimmering with little soft tapers, (Brontë, 1847, p. 22).
The description of Thrushcross Grange is of its interiors, but the interiors of Wuthering Heights
surely don’t inspire the same enthusiasm. Seen here is the difference between the two homes
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where Wuthering Heights is drab and desolate while Thrushcross Grange is beautiful and awe
inspiring.
Social class and status is also associated with the homes. This can be seen with the young
Heathcliff and Catherine. Heathcliff, who resides at Wuthering Heights is seen as an untamed
gypsy of no determinate origins, and this is reflected in his treatment by the Earnshaw family,
particularly by Hindley. Hindley “deprived him of the instructions of the curate, and insisted that
he should labour out of doors instead,” (Brontë, 1847, p 21). This creates even more of a distance
between Heathcliff and the rest of society. He’s denied access to gentlemanly pursuits.
In Catherine’s case, her upbringing in Wuthering Heights makes her an uncivilized
woman. It’s not until she meets the Lintons that she becomes schooled in ladylike behavior,
because the Lintons represent civilized society, (Gold, 1985). This can be seen after Catherine
stays five weeks with the Lintons in Thrushcross Grange. The change in Catherine was described
as:
Instead of a wild, hatless little savage jumping into the house, and rushing to squeeze us
all breathless, there ‘lighted from a handsome black pony a very dignified person, with
brown ringlets falling from the cover of a beavered hat, and a long cloth habit, which she
was obliged to hold up with both hands that she might sail in, (Brontë, 1847, p. 24).
In contrast, Heathcliff who never left Wuthering Heights was dirty, and deserving of criticism. In
this instance, Thrushcross Grange embodies upper class society and pokes fun at the lower class
citizens, Wuthering Heights.
It’s not until Heathcliff leaves Wuthering Heights that he becomes closer in status to
Catherine. He becomes more civilized in the eyes of society, well, as civilized as Heathcliff can
get. Nelly remarked that his countenance “looked intelligent, and retained no marks of former
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degradation,” (Brontë, 1847, p. 44). As for his mannerisms, he was “dignified: quite divested of
roughness, though stern for grace,” (Brontë, 1847, p. 44). Compared to before he left, Heathcliff,
for all intents and purposes, appears to be a different man, and this only happened because he left
Wuthering Heights.
Catherine and young Catherine, her daughter, have different attitudes, and this can be
attributed to the home that they grew up in. Catherine grew up in Wuthering Heights, and
because of this, she doesn’t have the best character. She can be quite petty and cruel in her
dealings with Nelly and Hareton. Catherine is also unreasonable, and it’s not a trait that she
grows out of. Right after she got engaged to Linton, she told Nelly of her scheme, why she’s
marrying Linton and not Heathcliff. Her words were, “did it never strike you that if Heathcliff
and I married, we should be beggars? Whereas, if I marry Linton I can aid Heathcliff to rise, and
place him out of my brother’s power,” (Brontë, 1847, p. 38). When Catherine was near death,
and Heathcliff questioned her about why she married Linton, she replied, “let me alone. Let me
alone. If I’ve done wrong, I’m dying for it. It is enough! You left me too: but I won’t upbraid
you! I forgive you. Forgive me!” (Brontë, 1847, p. 75). Her choice of words don’t convey
Catherine as being energetic, but rather as her still being selfish and unreasonable.
Young Catherine grew up secluded in Thrushcross Grange. Because of this, she comes
off as gentler than her mother. Indeed, the difference between young Catherine and her mother is
her caring nature, (Apter, 1976). This is due, in part, to her being raised by her father. When she
meets Hareton, and he cusses, she’s surprised. Also important is the way Nelly interacts with
young Catherine as compared to Catherine. With young Catherine, Nelly is more protective and
more caring, and actually loves her, (Knoepflmacher, 1971). Nelly calls Catherine her little lady,
and even says, “Cathy couldn’t bear that prospect: she pledged her word, and kept it for my sake.
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After all, she was a sweet little girl,” (Brontë, 1847, p. 93). Even when Catherine is older, and a
widow, Nelly still refers to her as her “dear little mistress,” (Brontë, 1847, p. 135). It’s
interesting when you compare Nelly’s action and affection with Catherine because she’s
condemning in her conduct with her. This is seen when Catherine is dying. “So much the better.
Far better that she should be dead, than lingering a burden and a misery-maker to all about her,”
(Brontë, 1847, p. 76). Even when Catherine is dying, Nelly is not sympathetic with her, and says
that she’s better off dead because then she won’t be a burden anymore.
Perhaps the most important demonstration of Thrushcross Grange encompassing the
positive is in the marriage plans of young Catherine and Hareton. Nelly tells Mr. Lockwood of
the couple’s intention to move: “Yet, still, I don’t like being out in the dark now; and I don’t like
being left by myself in this grim house: I cannot help it; I shall be glad when they leave it, and
shift to the Grange,” (Brontë, 1847, p. 156). In this, it is shown that young Catherine and Hareton
plan to relocate to Thrushcross Grange after they marry. By doing this, they leave behind all the
bad and ugly times that is associated with Wuthering Heights to the happy ending that awaits
them at Thrushcross Grange.
What happens to the characters embodies what makes Wuthering Heights negative and
Thrushcross Grange positive. Catherine’s passionate nature and petty actions are befitting of
Wuthering Height’s tragic air. Similarly, young Catherine, along with the civilized Lintons, fit
Thrushcross Grange’s tamed and light air.
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References
Apter, T. E. (1976). Romanticism and romantic love in wuthering heights. Nineteenth-Century
Literature Criticism, 35, 174-181. Retrieved from http://0-go.galegroup.com.iii.ocls.info/
Brontë, E. (1847). Wuthering heights. Retrieved from
https://doctorkb.files.wordpress.com/2015/12/wuthering_heights.pdf
Burns, M. (1986). This shattered prison: Versions of eden in wuthering heights. NineteenthCentury Literature Criticism, 35, 184-191. Retrieved from http://0go.galegroup.com.iii.ocls.info/
Gold, L. (1985). Catherine earnshaw: Mother and daughter. Nineteenth-Century Literature
Criticism, 74, 68-73. Retrieved from http://0-go.galegroup.com.iii.ocls.info/
Knoepflmacher, U. C. (1971). Wuthering heights: A tragicomic romance. Nineteenth-Century
Literature Criticism, 165, 84-108. Retrieved from http://0-go.galegroup.com.iii.ocls.info/