To answer questions about
Wuthering Heights,
please sign up.
Nita
I get why a lot of people hate this book so much. It's really hard to like a book who's protagonists are absolutely preposterous. Heathcliff is almost like a reincarnation of the devil. Cathy is really annoying and about the most whimsical person you'll ever meet. A lot of the secondary characters are also not very relatable. But here's one thing about Wuthering Heights.
It's not here to teach you something about life. It's not here to prove a point or address some kind of an issue. Heck, it's not even a novel about romance, as countless other readers perceive it to be.
Charlotte Bronte, who happens to be Emily's sister once remarked that Emily completely immersed herself in the novel until she finished it. And it shows. It really does.
What irks me about this novel is how people think it's one of the greatest romances ever written. Simply put, it's not. Cathy is not your average romantic heroine. And Heathcliff is most definitely NOT the man of your dreams. Wuthering heights is actually a wild, intense, gothic tale of the amoral and self-destructive passion between a man and a woman. Who happen to be foster siblings, by the way. Does that sound romantic? If it does, forgive me for saying you seem to have serious issues.
Wuthering Heights represents human nature at its darkest. It represents the fatal and selfish side of love. I've honestly never come across a more accurate depiction of how selfish love can get. Cathy and Heathcliff's love is fatal not only to them, but also to everyone around them. Heathcliff seeks revenge on Cathy for hurting him although he's still in love with her and after she dies, he literally sets out to take revenge on the world. All those incurable romantics musing about how beautiful Heathcliff and Cathy's love is will tell you that "yes, Cathy and Heathcliff are flawed but it's their oh-so-heart-wrenching love for each other that redeems them." Just, no.
Wuthering Heights doesn't seek to make you like apparently flawed or misunderstood characters. It does not ask for redemption. It just shows you a glimpse, a small yet unforgettable insight into just how cruel people can be. Some of Heathcliff's words and actions literally give you the chills. In my opinion, he's one of the best Gothic heroes ever written.
At the same time, the novel does not glorify Heathcliff's character. Both Heathcliff and Cathy die miserably. However cocky and satisfied Heathcliff may appear while inflicting pain on others, it is ultimately he who suffers the most. He tries to derive satisfaction and pleasure by unleashing his grief onto others in the form of anger and torture, but in the end, he is unable to find any real happiness, no matter what he does. And he realises this in the end, shortly before his death which is why his character seems to waver during his final days. He finally accepts that death(and hence Cathy) can be his only salvation, stops trying and just embraces death. That's not to say he realises the error of his ways though. He does not regret his monstrosities. He simply gives up and dies an unsatisfied and pathetic man full of self pity, while all those around him gradually find happiness.
Yes, the atmosphere is exaggeratedly depressing. But it was in fact a core factor of the story. The novel wouldn't give you half the chills it does if it wasn't set in the wild moors which are brought out so well in the novel. You literally cannot think of Wuthering Heights without picturing the moors. Some people think it's soap-opera-ish, but it's just goth. The Bronte sisters(except Anne) never went for realism. They chose to wildly romanticise their characters and settings and themes. If you prefer the realistic approach, you might like The Tenant Of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte. Or Jane Austen, for that matter.
What struck me about the novel the most was its passion, twisted and warped though it is. You can almost feel the fervor and passion with which Emily wrote her novel. And the strong, albeit not likeable characterisation. The setting is positively applaudable and dark.
If you still don't like this, maybe it's just not your type. But you're not allowed to say that the generations of readers who have found it appealing are deluded and wrong. There's a reason it's a classic and has survived for so long, you know.
It's not here to teach you something about life. It's not here to prove a point or address some kind of an issue. Heck, it's not even a novel about romance, as countless other readers perceive it to be.
Charlotte Bronte, who happens to be Emily's sister once remarked that Emily completely immersed herself in the novel until she finished it. And it shows. It really does.
What irks me about this novel is how people think it's one of the greatest romances ever written. Simply put, it's not. Cathy is not your average romantic heroine. And Heathcliff is most definitely NOT the man of your dreams. Wuthering heights is actually a wild, intense, gothic tale of the amoral and self-destructive passion between a man and a woman. Who happen to be foster siblings, by the way. Does that sound romantic? If it does, forgive me for saying you seem to have serious issues.
Wuthering Heights represents human nature at its darkest. It represents the fatal and selfish side of love. I've honestly never come across a more accurate depiction of how selfish love can get. Cathy and Heathcliff's love is fatal not only to them, but also to everyone around them. Heathcliff seeks revenge on Cathy for hurting him although he's still in love with her and after she dies, he literally sets out to take revenge on the world. All those incurable romantics musing about how beautiful Heathcliff and Cathy's love is will tell you that "yes, Cathy and Heathcliff are flawed but it's their oh-so-heart-wrenching love for each other that redeems them." Just, no.
Wuthering Heights doesn't seek to make you like apparently flawed or misunderstood characters. It does not ask for redemption. It just shows you a glimpse, a small yet unforgettable insight into just how cruel people can be. Some of Heathcliff's words and actions literally give you the chills. In my opinion, he's one of the best Gothic heroes ever written.
At the same time, the novel does not glorify Heathcliff's character. Both Heathcliff and Cathy die miserably. However cocky and satisfied Heathcliff may appear while inflicting pain on others, it is ultimately he who suffers the most. He tries to derive satisfaction and pleasure by unleashing his grief onto others in the form of anger and torture, but in the end, he is unable to find any real happiness, no matter what he does. And he realises this in the end, shortly before his death which is why his character seems to waver during his final days. He finally accepts that death(and hence Cathy) can be his only salvation, stops trying and just embraces death. That's not to say he realises the error of his ways though. He does not regret his monstrosities. He simply gives up and dies an unsatisfied and pathetic man full of self pity, while all those around him gradually find happiness.
Yes, the atmosphere is exaggeratedly depressing. But it was in fact a core factor of the story. The novel wouldn't give you half the chills it does if it wasn't set in the wild moors which are brought out so well in the novel. You literally cannot think of Wuthering Heights without picturing the moors. Some people think it's soap-opera-ish, but it's just goth. The Bronte sisters(except Anne) never went for realism. They chose to wildly romanticise their characters and settings and themes. If you prefer the realistic approach, you might like The Tenant Of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte. Or Jane Austen, for that matter.
What struck me about the novel the most was its passion, twisted and warped though it is. You can almost feel the fervor and passion with which Emily wrote her novel. And the strong, albeit not likeable characterisation. The setting is positively applaudable and dark.
If you still don't like this, maybe it's just not your type. But you're not allowed to say that the generations of readers who have found it appealing are deluded and wrong. There's a reason it's a classic and has survived for so long, you know.
Barbara Kljaić
It's a book from the 19th century, the time of realism when the main focus was to show realistic aspects of our society and make a statement on it. Think of Crime and Punishment and Anna Karenina for instance. It is not a YA romance novel for someone to forget their worldly problems but to REMIND us of them. I think the problem lies with the modern media and its representation of this novel. People go into it with false expectations. That's why some don't understand the greatness of the novel.
Kirsten
The writing is terrific. The narrator seems to be mocking each character relentlessly but subtly. It's sly and funny and bursting with flowery brutal jabs. It's far more complex than a soap opera - and far more cruel and dark. Heathcliff as an orphaned and abused youngster is heartbreaking, and his transformation into a hard yet despondent man is no surprise. The novel is a story of heightened emotion and human nature turned up a notch. Add to that the meticulous writing
and a compelling plot and you have a novel that people love.
and a compelling plot and you have a novel that people love.
Morgan
Literally one of the worst books I've ever read. I only finished it because it's on ever freaking "Best books ever/Best romances of all time/everyone should read this book once" list in the world.
Emily
Hated every page. We should form a group.
Kendra
While Niveditha said it 100x better than how I could ever say it, I would like to add to what she said. This book was not meant to be your typical hero-saves-the-day-and-gets-the-girl story. And I don't know why people say it's a story of passionate romance, 'cause it's not. It was MEANT to have bad characters. Emily didn't really WANT us liking them that much, really. But, still, I couldn't help but feel pity towards Heathcliff in the end; and when I read those last words, I felt a special kind of empty that I rarely get when I finish novels.
But I can understand 100% why people despise this book, and I don't entirely blame you. I just wish people would understand that the characters aren't meant to be likable. I guess that I, personally, like the whole non-conventional-ness of it. It's not a normal book, and I tend to lean towards non-conventional things (within reason, of course). Plus, the prose was gorgeous, and it flowed so easily in my mind.
But I can understand 100% why people despise this book, and I don't entirely blame you. I just wish people would understand that the characters aren't meant to be likable. I guess that I, personally, like the whole non-conventional-ness of it. It's not a normal book, and I tend to lean towards non-conventional things (within reason, of course). Plus, the prose was gorgeous, and it flowed so easily in my mind.
Camille_kmion
I tried to like this book, and really tried my hardest to understand its greatness and saddly it fell flat for me. The characters felt one dimensional, Heathcliff especially sounded fictitious from beginning to end.
I find the writing style to be stiff, puritan, and utterly flavorless...
I find the writing style to be stiff, puritan, and utterly flavorless...
Audrey
I don't get it either. I found it hard to get through with the depressing storyline.
Orinoco Womble (tidy bag and all)
For the same reason people watch soap operas--someone else suffering, not them. That's the only reason I can think of. Personally I hate it.
Sacha Blu
People need to learn to distinguish Romantic from "romantic". One thing has nothing to with the other. Wuthering Heights is Romantic ie a 18th-19th literary movement similar to Gothic that arose in response to Enlightenment values. It means wildness, stormy weather, the savage heart, darkness, inspiration, moodiness, uncontrolled, even tragic (when its Gothic Romanticism). Not "romantic" as in having to do with love and courtship. That's more what youll find in Austen's witty satires which are like smart "romantic" comedies.
Healthcliff is not a "romantic" hero as in an object of female desire like the civilized but difficult and cool and Mr. Darcy, sparring wits while falling in love. Heathcliff is *Romantic* in the sense he embodies the literary features of Romanticism: uncivilised, savage, dark, passionate, subjective, mysterious, rough. The same word means two different things in literature. This explains some people's disappointment with Wuthering Heights. They are expecting "romantic" but it is not romantic, it is Romantic.
Healthcliff is not a "romantic" hero as in an object of female desire like the civilized but difficult and cool and Mr. Darcy, sparring wits while falling in love. Heathcliff is *Romantic* in the sense he embodies the literary features of Romanticism: uncivilised, savage, dark, passionate, subjective, mysterious, rough. The same word means two different things in literature. This explains some people's disappointment with Wuthering Heights. They are expecting "romantic" but it is not romantic, it is Romantic.
Chrissy
SPOILERS. SORRY CAME BACK TO EDIT TO TICK SPOILERS BUT IT DOESNT GIVE THE OPTION
I know what you mean, I was so excited to get it on KU and although I knew beforehand its said its boring, that OK I was prepared to be open minded and find what made it so great. First I was devasted to learn it wasn't even told by the main 2 characters POV! But by others, 2? Yes the world itself seemed cold and unforgiving, simple kindness was not even hinted on really in any way meaningful.The male characters seemed Neanderthal, and the accent that was written in for...was it Joseph? I couldn't work out what the words were meant to be when they only had 1 letter! Or 2 that had no vowels. I understand the point, it was old language of a type, I'm no expert and can't explain it, was there for its authenticity, but sheesh couldn't there have been foot notes at least because whenever that style was used it was for me chunks of the book empty and messed with the flow and obviously not knowing what was to be conveyed. I just didn't pick up on this famous love between Catherine (in my copy she was only called that) and Heathcliffe. I think the movies over romantised the pair,, they never even made out or had sex, and she was loose and wild I couldn't imagine loving someone that much and them not acting on it. And the way of life people didn't live that long generally, all catching a 'fever' and dying at separate times was weird. And for Heathcliffe to have loved Catherine more than life yet he tortured and beat her daughter, I get that because he wasn't the dad and he was jealous of the dude that was prob made him hate her, he even hated his own child who got permanently beat and abused in many ways...Heathcliffe wasn't just an angry violent man, he was truly a monster! I'd love to have them analysed for the many mental illnesses they all had. But no, to me its not one of the greatest love stories of the past, no way no how.
I know what you mean, I was so excited to get it on KU and although I knew beforehand its said its boring, that OK I was prepared to be open minded and find what made it so great. First I was devasted to learn it wasn't even told by the main 2 characters POV! But by others, 2? Yes the world itself seemed cold and unforgiving, simple kindness was not even hinted on really in any way meaningful.The male characters seemed Neanderthal, and the accent that was written in for...was it Joseph? I couldn't work out what the words were meant to be when they only had 1 letter! Or 2 that had no vowels. I understand the point, it was old language of a type, I'm no expert and can't explain it, was there for its authenticity, but sheesh couldn't there have been foot notes at least because whenever that style was used it was for me chunks of the book empty and messed with the flow and obviously not knowing what was to be conveyed. I just didn't pick up on this famous love between Catherine (in my copy she was only called that) and Heathcliffe. I think the movies over romantised the pair,, they never even made out or had sex, and she was loose and wild I couldn't imagine loving someone that much and them not acting on it. And the way of life people didn't live that long generally, all catching a 'fever' and dying at separate times was weird. And for Heathcliffe to have loved Catherine more than life yet he tortured and beat her daughter, I get that because he wasn't the dad and he was jealous of the dude that was prob made him hate her, he even hated his own child who got permanently beat and abused in many ways...Heathcliffe wasn't just an angry violent man, he was truly a monster! I'd love to have them analysed for the many mental illnesses they all had. But no, to me its not one of the greatest love stories of the past, no way no how.
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more