Analyze the use of metaphor in Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights

Posted By: May 02, 2023 Leave a Reply

Analyze the use of metaphor in Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights

Emily Bronte's "Wuthering Heights" is a literary masterpiece that has captivated readers for generations. One of the elements that make this novel stand out is the use of metaphor. Metaphor is a literary device that compares two things without using the words "like" or "as." It is used to create images that enhance the reader's understanding of the text. In this essay, we will analyze the use of metaphor in "Wuthering Heights" and its significance in the novel.

Analyze the use of metaphor in Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights

Analyze the use of metaphor in Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights:-One of the most prominent metaphors in the novel is the weather. The weather is used to reflect the moods and emotions of the characters. For example, when Heathcliff is in a good mood, the weather is described as bright and sunny. Conversely, when he is in a bad mood, the weather is described as dark and stormy. This is evident in Chapter 9 when Nelly says, "Heathcliff's mood was much improved; he was animated and cheerful, and his face looked handsome in the sun." This metaphor is significant because it shows the reader that Heathcliff's emotions are closely tied to the weather. It also foreshadows the stormy events that will unfold in the novel.

Another significant metaphor in the novel is the use of ghosts. The ghosts in the novel represent the past and the memories of the characters. For example, when Catherine's ghost appears to Lockwood in Chapter 3, she says, "I am the ghost of Catherine Earnshaw." This metaphor is significant because it shows that Catherine's memory is still present in the lives of the characters, even though she is dead. The use of ghosts also adds a supernatural element to the novel and creates a sense of mystery and suspense.

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Analyze the use of metaphor in Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights:-The moors are also used as a metaphor in the novel. The moors represent freedom and wildness. For example, when Catherine and Heathcliff run away to the moors in Chapter 6, they experience a sense of freedom that they cannot find in the constraints of society. This metaphor is significant because it shows that the characters are not bound by the rules of society and that they are free to explore their desires and passions.

The use of the metaphor of the moors is also significant because it highlights the contrast between nature and civilization. The moors represent nature, which is wild and free, while society represents civilization, which is structured and restrained. This contrast is evident in the relationship between Catherine and Heathcliff. Catherine is torn between her desire for Heathcliff, who represents the wildness of nature, and her duty to marry Edgar Linton, who represents the constraints of society.

Analyze the use of metaphor in Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights:-Another significant metaphor in the novel is the use of houses. The houses in the novel represent the characters who inhabit them. For example, Wuthering Heights is dark and foreboding, just like Heathcliff. Conversely, Thrushcross Grange is bright and beautiful, just like Edgar Linton. This metaphor is significant because it shows that the characters are defined by their surroundings. It also highlights the contrast between Heathcliff and Edgar Linton.

The use of houses as a metaphor is also significant because it highlights the theme of social class. Wuthering Heights represents the lower class, while Thrushcross Grange represents the upper class. This contrast is evident in the relationship between Catherine and Heathcliff. Catherine is torn between her desire for Heathcliff, who represents the lower class, and her duty to marry Edgar Linton, who represents the upper class.

Wuthering Heights “Summary”

"Wuthering Heights" is a novel by Emily Bronte that was first published in 1847. The novel tells the story of two families, the Earnshaws and the Lintons, and their intertwined lives on the moors of Yorkshire in England. The novel is narrated by Mr. Lockwood, a new tenant at Thrushcross Grange, who becomes curious about the history of his landlord, Heathcliff, and the mysterious Wuthering Heights.

Analyze the use of metaphor in Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights:-The story begins with Mr. Lockwood arriving at Thrushcross Grange to rent the house from its owner, Mr. Heathcliff. Lockwood becomes curious about the owner of Wuthering Heights, which he can see from his window, and decides to visit the house. He is greeted by the gruff and inhospitable Heathcliff and his household, which includes his housekeeper, Nelly Dean. Lockwood becomes intrigued by Heathcliff's story and asks Nelly to tell him more about the history of Wuthering Heights and its inhabitants.

Nelly begins to tell Lockwood the story of the Earnshaws, the original owners of Wuthering Heights. Mr. Earnshaw had two children, Catherine and Hindley. One day, while on a trip to Liverpool, Mr. Earnshaw returns with a young boy whom he found on the streets. The boy, named Heathcliff, becomes a member of the family and develops a close bond with Catherine. However, Hindley resents Heathcliff and treats him poorly. After Mr. Earnshaw's death, Hindley inherits the estate and mistreats Heathcliff even more.

Analyze the use of metaphor in Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights:-As Catherine and Heathcliff grow older, they become inseparable, despite the fact that Catherine is engaged to Edgar Linton, a wealthy neighbor. Catherine loves Heathcliff deeply, but she also wants to marry Edgar and enjoy the benefits of his social status. When Catherine finally marries Edgar, Heathcliff disappears for several years, only to return years later as a wealthy and vengeful man.

Heathcliff seeks revenge on Hindley and Edgar for their mistreatment of him and for keeping him apart from Catherine. He also seeks revenge on Catherine, who he believes betrayed him by marrying Edgar. Heathcliff manipulates Hindley's son, Hareton, and raises him as his own, hoping to use him to exact his revenge on the family. Catherine dies giving birth to her daughter, Cathy, leaving Heathcliff devastated.

Heathcliff becomes increasingly unstable, haunted by the memory of Catherine and driven by his desire for revenge. He forces Cathy to marry his son, Linton, hoping to secure his place in the Linton family and control their wealth. However, Cathy falls in love with Hareton, and the two eventually marry, uniting the two families and bringing an end to Heathcliff's plans for revenge.

Analyze the use of metaphor in Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights:-The novel ends with Lockwood, having heard the entire story from Nelly, leaving Thrushcross Grange and the moors, reflecting on the tragedy of the lives he has learned about. The novel's themes include the destructive power of revenge, the constraints of social class, and the power of love.

Overall, "Wuthering Heights" is a complex and haunting novel that explores the depths of human passion and emotion. The novel's vivid descriptions of the moors and its use of metaphor enhance the reader's understanding of the characters and their emotions. The novel's tragic ending is a testament to the power of love and the destructive nature of revenge.

FAQ.

Q: What is Wuthering Heights about?

A: Wuthering Heights is a novel that tells the story of two families, the Earnshaws and the Lintons, and their intertwined lives on the moors of Yorkshire in England. The novel explores themes such as revenge, social class, and the power of love.

Q: Who are the main characters in Wuthering Heights?

A: The main characters in Wuthering Heights include Catherine Earnshaw, Heathcliff, Edgar Linton, Nelly Dean, and Catherine Linton (also known as Cathy).

Q: What is the setting of Wuthering Heights?

A: The setting of Wuthering Heights is primarily on the moors of Yorkshire in northern England, where the two main houses, Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange, are located.

 

 

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