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 1 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 2 WUTHERING HEIGHTS AND THRUSHCROSS GRANGE 3 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 WUTHERING HEIGHTS AND THRUSHCROSS GRANGE 4 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 WUTHERING HEIGHTS AND THRUSHCROSS GRANGE 5 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. WUTHERING HEIGHTS AND THRUSHCROSS GRANGE 6 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. WUTHERING HEIGHTS AND THRUSHCROSS GRANGE 7 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. 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