How is wildness portrayed in Emily Brontë's 'Wuthering Heights?'

'Wuthering Heights' is a novel concerned primarily with destruction. Love is the key theme; it transcends generations, forms a hatred between strangers and, essentially, love kills. The figure in which love is most notably destructive is Cathy (1). She denies herself her true passion and, in turn, goes wild with a passion that ends up killing her. The setting also demonstrates a wildness. The word 'Wuthering' itself is defined as a strong wind. It is set in the North of England, amongst the moors and the untamable countryside, which reflects the untamable, wild nature of all of the characters - but in particular, Heathcliff. The novel takes the reader through two generations of tenants at Wuthering Heights, each of whom are succumbed to the tumultuous, and fateful, love affair between Cathy and Heathcliff. The rules in which apply in Wuthering Heights are near to non-existent. The story narrates a murder, a ghost sighting, a dog attack, for example. There is no involvement with the police, there are barely any repercussions. Wildness in 'Wuthering Heights,' is therefore portrayed as the natural order.

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Answered by jessica o. English tutor

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