Great works of art are timeless. Even though they may be many differences in the way that they are presented, the subjects and themes of the human experiences have remained the same throughout the years. As such, the classic works of art present readers with commentary on their own condition, no matter how much time has elapsed from the work of art’s inception to the present day.
One of these classic pieces is Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights. This is a Romantic Gothic novel set in nineteenth century England, with a strong presence of the supernatural and social classes, including servants. Even though society has profoundly changed since then, there are still many aspects of the story that ring true to this day. These components include love, individualism and a dysfunctional reality, all elements that are common in today’s society. As such, even though it may have some dated passages, especially in terms of societal norms, there are many aspects that one can take from Wuthering Heights in order to relate them to the present day, as they relate to the human experience as a whole.
Perhaps it is easiest to see how this novel would not work for contemporary audiences. It is truly different, including ghosts, Romantic love, passionate religion and a different societal structure. There is no electricity, something that most people could not dream of, and the people are forced to reckon with nature much more than people are today. Furthermore, there is a strong clash of classes, with the lower ones basically accepting to be demeaned, which is in stark contrast to what happens in the present day. In addition, even though one cannot say that contemporary times are completely scientific, the presence of supernatural elements, including ghosts, in the story, may be very off-putting and even absurd for modern audiences.
One of the most significant components of contemporary society, which often goes unnoticed, is the rampant individualism. As one is submerged in a specific community, there is a bias that one has to work hard towards dispelling. This may be accomplished by seeing it in a great work of art, such as Wuthering Heights.
In this sense, the reader can see the rampant individualism in the novel as a symptom. Pérez Alonso argues that in this novel, “every individual, except for the major figure of Heathcliff, is suspended in their innate individuality, which not only entails a shift away from the other, but also an overstated attentiveness of one’s own self” (188). Caring for just one’s own self may seem logical and even intuitive, yet the novel reminds the reader that this is not axiomatic, and may be changed.
One of the greatest reasons that people suffer in the novel is through love. Accordingly, Varghese comments on Bronte’s use of literary devices as follows: “To lay bare the inner anguish and turmoil of the lovers, Brontë uses various poetic devices, especially strong metaphors through the dialogues, which has created some of the profoundest passages in the novel” (49). One can feel the strength of the human connection throughout the novel, something that people in the present day indubitably still experience. This representation of love goes directly to the deepest emotions that a person may have: devotion and yearning for another who one would like to always be around.
Another important similarity to the present day is the disappointment that striking one’s ideals against reality may bring. In contemporary times, this is not difficult to see, as many institutions are tumbling, including democracy. Moose interprets that “Emily Bronte wrote out her fantasies as a result of her disillusionment with her reality” (55). As such, one can see that the book is the result of a struggle to cope with an imperfect world, something intrinsic to the human experience. “Drawn from her life experiences, it tells the story of the ultimately dysfunctional family” (Moose 55). She even presents this in the form of the family; even though it may be the social unit, one still often has trouble with those who one grew up with, even though one may passionately love and care for them.
In conclusion, Bronte’s Wuthering Heights is a novel that comments on the tragic nature of the human condition, something that makes it transcend the obvious details that are particular to the time of its inception. Societal norms and practices are very different now than before, as they used to include a stronger belief in the superstition and stricter societal classes. Nevertheless, the discussion of passionate love, belligerent individualism and disillusionment with regards to reality still ring true to this day.
Works Cited
Pérez Alonso, Leticia. “Wuthering Heights: The Quest for Continuity.” ES: Revista de filofogía inglesa, vol. 31, 2010, pp. 187-201.
Varghese, Lata Marina. “Stylistic Analysis of Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights.” IOSR Journal of Humanities and Social Science, vol. 2, no. 5, 2012, pp. 46-50.
Moose, Jeanne. “Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre: Deadly Versus Healing Fantasy in the Lives and Works of the brontes.” The Review: A Journal of Undergraduate Student Research, vol. 1, pp. 49-66.
