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he description of nature mostly circles around the landscapes.

It makes sense since


the entire story is about the family owning the farm and the land surrounding it.

Therefore, there is no surprise that every Wuthering Heights summary mentions the
symbolism of the landscapes.

In this article, we are going to study this matter in greater detail and decide on the
role of the landscapes in the plot.
Wuthering Heights' is the first thing we learn about the book, and it is the description of the
landscapes itself.
It is the name of the mansion, though the area surrounding it is hilly and can also be called
like that. When the weather is sunny, the landscape is beautiful and green. In this novel,
'wuthering' is used as an element of the provincial language to describe the atmospheric
tumult to which the heights are exposed in stormy weather. Such a title helps readers
understand that the story is about something dark. It is somewhere in a limbo between life
and death. Sunny weather is a rarity here. It is always cold and humid in this area.

Landscapes and their descriptions help in explaining the main idea of the novel.
They are also used to assist people in understanding the main topic and
interrelations between main characters.

Emily Bronte uses landscapes to change the mood of the novel, describe the
background, and prepare readers for the upcoming events.

If it was not for descriptions of the weather, nature, and landscapes, readers would
not know the character of the main hero.

The host of Wuthering Heights, Heathcliff, is described through the elements of


nature surrounding him. Misty and cold landscapes are used to highlight his
unamiable nature and sullen mood.

Also, when his beloved Catherine dies, nature is used to describe the changes in his
soul. His eyes are compared with cloudy windows of hell, expressing how
heartbroken this person is.

The atmosphere of cold, darkness, and blackness follows him wherever he goes.
People who happen to visit Wuthering Heights want to leave the place as soon as
possible.
For example, Mr. Lockwood is described looking through the window and seeing "a
sorrowful sight." There is nothing that could send a clearer message to the reader
about the unpleasantness of the place.

An interesting fact is that Emily Bronte used descriptions of weather and landscapes
to highlight the symbolism of nature in the novel. For example, Mr. Lockwood says,
"if I had caused the cloud, it was my duty to make an effort to dispel it."

The sentence literally means that he should try to undo what has been done.
However, the word 'cloud' is used to express the despair using the weather
elements.

Another metaphor, "sky and hills mingled in one bitter whirl of wind," is also used to
explain the chaos in the soul of the character. The majority of other landscape
descriptions are used to express the sorrow and darkness in one's thoughts and
feelings.

Emily Bronte, being a master of the word, skillfully turned weather, nature, and
landscapes into separate characters. They are no less important for the novel as
Heathcliff, Mr. Lockwood, and Catherine.

Landscapes at Wuthering Heights can speak. They do this instead of Heathcliff, who
is a man of few words. They help readers understand him and his mood. Moreover,
the silence of the character is even more mystified when nature is used to describe
the personality.

Landscapes can also speak for the love Heathcliff and Catherine shared. His sorrow
is enormous, and nature cries when he passes away. At the same time, nature is
reviving on Catherine's tomb, hinting that she finally found peace.

All these final remarks would not be possible if it was not for nature description.
The landscape plays the central part in Wuthering Heights. It sets the scene
for action and deepens the perception of the characters. The landscape is
unique and different, even from the house itself. One window looks at the town
and the other at the harsh and stony pastoral field. Such a distinction puts a
specific accent on the economic difference in society and the class struggle.
The world of Wuthering Heights at the top is incompatible with the world of
Thrushcross Grange below. The countryside emphasizes the question of
repression and the natural process of urbanization.

Second, the landscape is the mirror of the protagonists. Heathcliff is often


compared to the surrounding scenery. He is cold and destructive, just as the
rough, windy terrain. The surrounding cold stones and dry grass add up to the
difficulty of the character. Heathcliff, Catherine, and Nelly fall sick due to the
brutal weather of Wuthering Heights with its snow and rain. The landscape is
not a usual beautiful garden. It consists of wild moors, which enforce the
theme of passion and uncontrolled behaviors.
The landscape in "Wuthering Heights" by Emily Bronte is more than just a backdrop;
it's a dynamic element intricately woven into the narrative, reflecting the emotions,
conflicts, and themes of the story. Here's an exploration of its significance chapter by
chapter, highlighting key quotations:

Chapter 1:

The opening sets the tone with descriptions of the moors, creating a sense of
isolation and mystery. Lockwood's arrival at Wuthering Heights introduces the
rugged, desolate landscape that mirrors the characters' harshness.

 Quotation: "Wuthering Heights is the name of Mr. Heathcliff's dwelling. 'Wuthering'


being a significant provincial adjective, descriptive of the atmospheric tumult to
which its station is exposed in stormy weather."

Chapter 2:

Lockwood's nightmarish experience in the haunting landscape outside the window is


symbolic of the tumultuous nature of the characters.

 Quotation: "The intense horror of nightmare came over me: I tried to draw back my
arm, but the hand clung to it, and a most melancholy voice sobbed, 'Let me in - let
me in!'"

Chapter 6:

Catherine's passionate connection with the moors and her description of herself
being Heathcliff are tied to the landscape, emphasizing their intertwined destinies.

 Quotation: "My love for Heathcliff resembles the eternal rocks beneath: a source of
little visible delight, but necessary."

Chapter 9:

Heathcliff's despair and longing for Catherine are reflected in his wandering on the
moors, showcasing the landscape as a place of emotional release and torment.

 Quotation: "I sought, and soon discovered, the three headstones on the slope next
the moor: Edgar Linton's side by side with Isabella Heathcliff's, and that of Heathcliff."

Chapter 12:
Heathcliff's observation of the landscape reflects his internal turmoil and contrasts
with Catherine's ghostly presence.

 Quotation: "I have a single wish, and my whole being and faculties are yearning to
attain it. They have yearned towards it so long, and so unwaveringly, that I'm
convinced it will be reached — and soon — because it has devoured my existence."

Chapter 17:

The moors serve as a boundary and a symbolic barrier between the Grange and
Wuthering Heights, representing the divide between the civilized world and the wild,
untamed nature of the characters.

 Quotation: "The intense horror of nightmare came over me: I tried to draw back my
arm, but the hand clung to it, and a most melancholy voice sobbed, 'Let me in - let
me in!'"

Chapter 34:

The landscape reflects Heathcliff's despair and isolation after Catherine's death,
capturing his agony and connection to the natural world.

 Quotation: "The entire world is a dreadful collection of memoranda that she did exist,
and that I have lost her."

Throughout the novel, the landscape of the moors acts as a mirror to the characters'
turbulent emotions, echoing their passions, conflicts, and desires. The harsh,
untamed environment parallels the wild and fierce nature of the characters,
emphasizing their connections to the land and its role in shaping their fates.
The Wild and Untamed Moors:

Isolation and Desolation: "Wuthering Heights is the name of Mr. Heathcliff's dwelling. 'Wuthering'
being a significant provincial adjective, descriptive of the atmospheric tumult to which its station is
exposed in stormy weather." (Chapter 1) This description sets the tone for the desolate, tumultuous
landscape that mirrors the turbulent lives of the characters.

Emotional Resonance: "My love for Heathcliff resembles the eternal rocks beneath: a source of little
visible delight, but necessary." (Chapter 6) Catherine's comparison of her love to the enduring rocks
beneath the moors signifies the depth and permanence of her feelings.

Boundary and Symbol of Divide:

Class Divide: "I lingered round them, under that benign sky; watched the moths fluttering among the
heath and harebells, listened to the soft wind breathing through the grass, and wondered how
anyone could ever imagine unquiet slumbers for the sleepers in that quiet earth." (Chapter 17) The
peacefulness of the grave contrasted with the turmoil of the living signifies the divide between the
two worlds—the wild moors and the civilized society.

Civilization vs. Nature: "I hope I shall be able to confine myself to the simple, dry details necessary to
be laid before the public, without much reference to the delight I find in dwelling on the earnest,
glowing images my memory pours forth." (Chapter 34) Lockwood's attempt to distance himself from
the emotional landscape reflects the struggle between civilization and the raw, emotional essence of
the moors.

Character Connection:

Heathcliff's Solace: "I sought, and soon discovered, the three headstones on the slope next the moor
—Edgar Linton's side by side with Isabella Heathcliff's, and that of Heathcliff." (Chapter 9) Heathcliff's
connection to the moors is evident as he seeks solace and finds himself near the graves of those he
loved and lost.

Catherine's Spiritual Connection: "I am Heathcliff! He's always, always in my mind: not as a pleasure,
any more than I am always a pleasure to myself, but as my own being." (Chapter 9) Catherine's
declaration of being Heathcliff reflects her belief in a spiritual connection with him and the moors,
intertwining her essence with the wild landscape.

Emily Bronte masterfully employs the landscape as a tool for symbolism, character development,
and setting, using the moors to mirror the emotions, conflicts, and societal divisions of the
characters in "Wuthering Heights."
Symbolism of Nature:

Reflects Characters' Emotional States: The wild, desolate moors mirror the tumultuous emotions and
inner turmoil of the characters, particularly Heathcliff and Catherine. The landscape's storms,
barrenness, and harshness parallel their passionate and often destructive personalities.

Boundary and Isolation: The moors act as a boundary between the two households, Wuthering
Heights and Thrushcross Grange, symbolizing the divide between social classes, values, and
personas. It represents isolation, emphasizing the characters' separateness and inability to find
common ground.

Connection to Characters:

Emotional Landscape: Characters' emotions are tied to the landscape. Heathcliff, in particular, finds
solace and connection with the moors, reflecting his wild nature and inner torment. Catherine also
feels an almost spiritual connection to the moors, expressing herself through its imagery.

Characterization: The landscape contributes to character development. Heathcliff's affinity with the
moors, Catherine's free spirit, and the conflict between the natural and civilized world are all
showcased through their interactions with the environment.

Reflecting Themes:

Nature vs. Culture: The contrast between the wild, untamed moors and the civilized, refined Grange
highlights the clash between nature and culture, paralleling the clash of characters and societal
expectations.

Immortality and Timelessness: The timeless, eternal nature of the landscape contrasts with the
transient lives of the characters. The moors endure while the characters' passions and conflicts play
out against its backdrop.

Narrative Device:

Atmospheric Effect: The landscape creates a brooding, atmospheric backdrop that intensifies the
novel's gothic elements, adding depth and suspense to the story.

Foreshadowing and Omens: The landscape often sets the tone for events to come, with storms and
harsh weather foreshadowing conflicts or tragedies within the narrative.

Overall Impact:

The landscape in "Wuthering Heights" isn't just a setting; it's a living, breathing entity that interacts
with the characters and shapes their destinies. Its presence underscores the novel's themes of
passion, revenge, societal constraints, and the enduring power of nature, contributing significantly
to the overall atmosphere, characterization, and storytelling.

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