Emily Brontë died almost exactly one year after the publication of her novel, so she was not able to follow the course it was taking in criticism very long. Since reviewers attacked Wuthering Heights and its author, Emily’s older sister Charlotte Brontë (1816-1855) felt urged to defend the value of the novel. She did that in her famous Editor’s Preface to the New Edition of Wuthering Heights of 1850, but not without complaining about several aspects of the novel herself. Also, the preface could not “provoke any reviews which showed more complete understanding” .
It is not easy for a modern reader to imagine what exactly in Wuthering Heights made the feelings of the reviewers run so high at the time of the first publication of the novel. Moral standards and expectations towards a work of art were quite different then from how they are today. This essay, therefore, will discuss how the novel violated the moral values of the Victorian time and aroused disgust in contemporary readers by taking a closer look at the two main characters. But first it will look at the artistic complaints of the reviewers and the expectations of the Victorian readership in order to give an impression of the ideas of the time.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 1.1 Coarseness of Language
- 1.2 The Expectations of the Victorian Reader
- 2. Heathcliff
- 2.1 "Thou shalt not kill"
- 2.2 “Thou shalt not commit adultery”
- 2.3 "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house"
- 2.4 Violence
- 2.5 Judgement of Heathcliff's behaviour
- 3. Catherine Earnshaw
- 4. Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This essay aims to explore the reasons behind the negative reception of Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights upon its initial publication in 1847. It investigates how the novel's content clashed with the moral and artistic expectations of Victorian readers, focusing primarily on the characters of Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw.
- Violation of Victorian Moral Values
- The Coarseness of Language in Wuthering Heights
- The Expectations of the Victorian Reader and Literary Criticism
- Heathcliff's Actions and Their Social and Religious Implications
- Analysis of Character and its impact on the narrative
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage by establishing Wuthering Heights' current status as a classic of English literature, contrasting it with the overwhelmingly negative reception it received from Victorian critics. The introduction highlights the sharp criticism leveled at the novel's "coarseness," "disagreeable incidents," and "shocking pictures of humanity," thereby establishing the central conflict between the novel and the moral standards of its time. The chapter also briefly introduces Charlotte Brontë's attempts to defend her sister's work in the 1850 preface, underscoring the ongoing debate surrounding the novel's merit and its violation of societal expectations.
1.1 Coarseness of Language: This section focuses on the Victorian outrage at the novel's language. Charlotte Brontë's preface is analyzed, revealing her attempts to preemptively address and apologize for the "coarseness" of the language, specifically the use of strong and direct words. The chapter draws on contemporary reviews to illustrate how the use of such language was seen as obscene and offensive to Victorian sensibilities, contrasting the reaction of the Victorian reader with that of modern readers who are far less sensitive to such terms. The excerpt from a review clearly displays the level of disgust and offense caused by Emily Brontë's stylistic choices.
1.2 The Expectations of the Victorian Reader: This section delves into the broader literary and cultural context of Victorian England. It explains that readers expected novels to convey a clear moral message, reflecting societal values and providing guidance. The prevailing view of the novel as a potentially frivolous or even harmful leisure activity is highlighted, showcasing the critical pressure to promote virtue and condemn elements deemed unsuitable for a moral society. The chapter contrasts this with the modern approach to literature, where such expectations are significantly less prominent.
2. Heathcliff: This chapter focuses on the character of Heathcliff, widely perceived as the villain of the novel. His actions consistently violate social and religious norms cherished by Victorian readers, directly contributing to the negative critical reception. The analysis delves into Heathcliff’s transgressions against Victorian ideals, such as murder, adultery, and coveting, highlighting the religious and social codes that he breaks in his pursuit of revenge and his complex relationships. His actions provide the central focus in explaining the negative reception of the work among Victorian readers.
Keywords
Wuthering Heights, Emily Brontë, Victorian literature, Victorian morality, social criticism, religious transgression, character analysis, literary criticism, 19th-century novels, language and style, Heathcliff, Catherine Earnshaw.
Wuthering Heights: A Critical Analysis - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive preview of a critical analysis essay focusing on the negative reception of Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights during its initial publication in 1847. It examines how the novel's content clashed with Victorian moral and artistic expectations, primarily through the analysis of Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw.
What topics are covered in the analysis?
The analysis explores several key themes including the violation of Victorian moral values, the perceived coarseness of the novel's language, the expectations of the Victorian reader and literary criticism, Heathcliff's actions and their social and religious implications, and a detailed character analysis of Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw and its impact on the narrative.
What is the structure of the analysis?
The analysis is structured into chapters: an introduction establishing the context of the novel's initial reception; a section on the coarseness of language and Victorian expectations; a chapter dedicated to Heathcliff's character and actions; a chapter on Catherine Earnshaw (though details are not provided in the preview); and a concluding chapter (details not provided in preview). The document includes a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords.
How does the analysis address the "coarseness" of the novel's language?
The analysis delves into the Victorian outrage at the novel's language, analyzing Charlotte Brontë's preface and contemporary reviews to illustrate how the use of strong and direct language was seen as obscene and offensive to Victorian sensibilities. It contrasts this reaction with the modern perspective.
What were the expectations of the Victorian reader regarding novels?
The analysis highlights that Victorian readers expected novels to convey clear moral messages, reflecting societal values and providing guidance. Novels were seen as potentially harmful if they didn't promote virtue and condemn elements deemed unsuitable for a moral society. The analysis contrasts this with the modern approach to literature.
How does the analysis portray Heathcliff?
The analysis portrays Heathcliff as the novel's villain, whose actions consistently violate social and religious norms cherished by Victorian readers. It explores his transgressions (murder, adultery, coveting) and their religious and social implications, highlighting how these actions contributed to the negative reception of the work.
What are the key words associated with this analysis?
Key words include: Wuthering Heights, Emily Brontë, Victorian literature, Victorian morality, social criticism, religious transgression, character analysis, literary criticism, 19th-century novels, language and style, Heathcliff, Catherine Earnshaw.
What is the overall conclusion of the analysis (as far as it is previewed)?
The overall conclusion is not explicitly stated in this preview. However, it is implied that the analysis aims to demonstrate how the content of Wuthering Heights directly clashed with the moral and artistic expectations of Victorian readers, leading to its initially negative reception.
- Quote paper
- Ole Wagner (Author), 2005, 'Wuthering Heights' and Victorian values, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/75057
