Class and Gender in Wuthering Heights Essays - 704 Words

Conflict as a result of class and gender division is a common theme seen throughout Emily Bront#235;s novel Wuthering Heights. Social contrasts and gender boundaries create oppression and tension amongst the characters, affecting their composure and behaviour throughout the novel. The most obvious distinction between upper and lower classes is with the two settings; Thrushcross Grange and Wuthering Heights. Both places differ significantly in both disposition and appearance. The society in Wuthering Heights is that of the working class. Wuthering Heights is a worn out farm that represents difficulty; ruthlessness, and hard work. Life at Wuthering Heights is more domestic yet spiteful revenge and personal struggles envelop the†¦show more content†¦Heathcliffs social position is solidified by the treatment he receives from almost everyone at Wuthering Heights. Heathcliff has little nobility as a child and even after he becomes a wealthy gentleman later in his life his past is still a label that follows him. Throughout the novel characters leave Wuthering Heights however something causes them to return. This is seen with Heathcliff when he moves away and returns with money, it is also seen with Catherines moving to Thrushcross Grange. No matter how hard these characters try to alter their past lives, there is a part of Wuthering Heights they cannot escape from. There are displays of revenge caused by the separations between social standings. Heathcliff shows that he is a vengeful person when he is resented by Hindley for taking Mr Earnshaws affection. Heathcliff confirms his social subordination by obeying Hindleys orders and becoming his servant after the death of Mr.Earnshaw. Heathcliff privately expresses his merciless side to Catherine by saying, Im trying to settle how I shall pay Hindley back...I hope he will not die before I do (Bront#235; 153). In Wuthering Heights, a persons social standing is more important to their life than their own happiness is. This is shown through Catherine when she chooses to marry Edgar instead of Heathcliff, Edgar is from Thrushcross Grange; he has money, he has status himself and will thus enhance Catherines social standing.Show MoreRelatedFeminism And The Social, Economic, And Political Equality Of The Sexes1619 Words   |  7 PagesWuthering Heights: Feminism Feminism, or â€Å"The belief in the social, economic, and political equality of the sexes.† (Elinor Burkett, Laura Brunell paragraph 1) was a very popular topic in Victorian fiction, and still is to this day with the first signs of feminist logic appearing in 3rd century BCE for the attempted appeal of women’s use of expensive goods, and continuing on to the present day third wave of feminism. 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