In this essay, it will be discussed to what extent Emily Bronte’s "Wuthering Heights" both challenges and reinforces the social conventions of class in the Victorian Era. For this purpose, the characters of Heathcliff, Catherine, and Nelly will be looked at in detail, and others will be briefly mentioned. Furthermore, the opinions of several critics will be taken into consideration.
The Victorian Era, which lasted from 1837 to 1901, was a period of change. While the lower class was still restricted in their choices of work and education, the middle class grew more powerful. The idea of the “self-made man”, a person climbing the social ladder through hard work rather than hereditary titles meant that the landowning people of the upper class, who did not work, lost a lot of prestige and respect. However, it should be noted that social mobility was restricted to the middle class.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- The Victorian Era
- Class in Wuthering Heights
- Heathcliff and his social status
- Nelly Dean and her role as a servant
- Joseph and his ambiguous position
- Critical Perspectives on Class
- Catherine's choices
- The absence of working-class representation
- Heathcliff's social mobility
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This essay examines the extent to which Emily Brontë's novel "Wuthering Heights" challenges and reinforces the social conventions of class during the Victorian era. It focuses specifically on the characters of Heathcliff, Catherine, and Nelly, and their interactions within the complex social dynamics of the novel.
- The impact of social class on individual lives and relationships
- The limitations and possibilities of social mobility in Victorian society
- The role of servants and their influence on the lives of their masters
- The tension between personal desires and societal expectations
- The influence of social class on identity and perception
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The first chapter provides an introduction to the novel's setting and the characters of Heathcliff, Catherine, and Nelly. It establishes the social dynamics of the Earnshaw family and their relationship with the lower class, as represented by the arrival of the young Heathcliff.
Chapter two explores the Victorian Era and its social structures, highlighting the changing roles of the middle class and the limited opportunities for women. This context is used to analyze the social interactions between the characters in "Wuthering Heights," particularly those concerning Catherine's marriage.
The following chapters examine the challenges to class conventions presented in the novel. They explore Heathcliff's journey from a lower-class orphan to a wealthy gentleman, Nelly's complex relationship with her masters, and Joseph's ambiguous position as a servant who often defies his role.
The final chapter provides an in-depth analysis of critical perspectives on class in "Wuthering Heights." It examines interpretations of Catherine's marriage choices, the representation of working-class characters, and Heathcliff's social mobility.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This essay delves into the themes of social class, Victorian society, social mobility, servant-master relationships, personal desires, and societal expectations. It analyzes the characters of Heathcliff, Catherine, and Nelly, and their interactions within the complex social dynamics of "Wuthering Heights."
Frequently Asked Questions
How does "Wuthering Heights" challenge class conventions?
The novel challenges conventions through the character of Heathcliff, an orphan who manages to climb the social ladder and acquire property, defying the rigid hereditary class structures of the time.
What was the social status of Heathcliff throughout the novel?
Heathcliff starts as a homeless orphan (lower class), is treated as a servant by Hindley, but eventually returns as a wealthy gentleman, illustrating the concept of the "self-made man."
How does the character of Nelly Dean represent the servant class?
Nelly Dean represents the complex role of servants who were deeply integrated into the family lives of their masters, often acting as confidants and influencing family dynamics despite their lower status.
What role did the "self-made man" play in the Victorian era?
The idea of the "self-made man" allowed the middle class to grow in power through hard work rather than titles, though social mobility remained largely restricted for the very lowest classes.
How do Catherine's choices reflect social expectations?
Catherine chooses to marry Edgar Linton over Heathcliff because Edgar offers the social status and wealth expected of her class, highlighting the tension between personal desire and societal duty.
- Citar trabajo
- Michelle Blum (Autor), 2016, How Emily Bronte’s "Wuthering Heights" both challenges and reinforces the social conventions of class in the Victorian Era, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1128294
