Assess the ways in which Bronte establishes the mood of the novel and the essential contrast between Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange in the first 6 chapters.

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Look at the first 6 chapters of ‘Wuthering Heights.’ Assess the ways in which Bronte establishes the mood of the novel and the essential contrast between Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange in the first 6 chapters.

Wuthering Heights is first described by Lockwood in Chapter One. He comes to Wuthering Heights to meet Heathcliff his landlord. Lockwood’s description of Heathcliff makes him appear mysterious as he states “Mr Heathcliff may have entirely dissimilar reasons for keeping his hand out of the way when he meets a would-be acquaintance.” The narrator gives clues to the reader about Heathcliff’s unknown past. In the same way, Wuthering Heights itself shares an unknown past with its inhabitants and its description demonstrates that the house has been ravished by time. The fierce weather that the beginning of the novel is set against establishes the mood of the novel; one in which passion and anger is key. The house has witnessed the events of time and therefore appears to be secluded and ruined. In contrast, Thrushcross Grange appears warm and inviting. Lockwood mentions that he has a “study fire.” Wuthering Heights on the other hand, is inhospitable according to Lockwood; “I could ill endure after this inhospitable treatment.” Therefore Bronte is able to establish a fearful mood to begin the novel. Wuthering Heights is a symbol of the repression of freedom whereas Thrushcross Grange is the house of safety and security. This is the essential contrast between the two houses.

Lockwood explains that “’Wuthering’ [is] a significant provincial adjective, descriptive of the atmospheric tumult to which its station is exposed in stormy weather.” It is evident that Bronte has chosen the name Wuthering Heights to add to the atmosphere of the novel. It is exposed to all weathers as are the characters within the house. Bronte’s use of the wind is also significant. It is unforgiving and destroys everything, clearly seen in the description of the vegetation surrounding the house; “one may guess the power of the north wind blowing over the edge, by the excessive slant of a few stunted firs at the end of the house.” The use of the word ‘stunted’ suggests stagnation. Wuthering Heights is in a state of paralysis; the characters pass through the house over the thirty years of the story but nothing significant happens. An alternative explanation of the word ‘stunted’ is that it directly applies to Heathcliff. The wind is a metaphor for Heathcliff’s rough life and thus he has become emotionless. He no longer has the ability to feel. A continuation of the description of the house by Lockwood follows “and by a range of gaunt thorns all stretching their limbs one way, as if craving alms of the sun.” The ‘gaunt thorns’ are another metaphor for Heathcliff and the sun is a metaphor for Catherine. Catherine is Heathcliff’s sun and he craves her. The ‘gaunt thorns’ also suggest the dilapidation of the surroundings that Wuthering Heights remains in. In contrast Thrushcross Grange is associated with its tenant Lockwood who appears to be a much more reasonable man than Heathcliff. Thus the description of his house is a lot more welcoming and homely signified by the ‘study fire.’ In Chapter 6 the reader is introduced to an earlier version of Thrushcross Grange where the Lintons originally lived. Heathcliff describes the house to Nelly stating “it was beautiful – a splendid place carpeted with crimson, and crimson covered chairs and tables, as a pure white ceiling bordered by gold, a shower of glass-drops hanging in silver chains from the centre, and shimmering with little soft tapers. Heathcliff paints the perfect picture of a happy family with the white representing purity and innocence. However, the description of the children within the house portrays a very different atmosphere and thus Bronte creates a sense of foreboding. There is however, a clear contrast between the house of Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange.

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A significant theme within ‘Wuthering Heights’ is the use of boundaries. The novel emphasises physical boundaries such as walls, windows, locks, gates and doorways. Throughout the novel these boundaries are both defended and breached. The boundaries become significant in the first six chapters. In the first chapter of the novel Lockwood is barred from the Heights and when he stays for the night he attempts to bar Catherine’s ghost. In Chapter 6 Catherine and Heathcliff are barred from Thrushcross Grange. The barriers of both houses also allow them to remain secluded and removed from typical civilisation which emphasises the ...

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