The ghost of Catherine acts as a symbol in chapter 3; other symbols in the novel are ‘the moors’ which of course resemble ‘Heathcliff’.
One of the most obvious things that some might notice when analysing ‘Wuthering Heights’ is that the dark descriptive language is used to create or darken the tone and atmosphere of the book, an example is during Lockwood’s dream when the preacher shouts out, “Drag him down and crush him to atoms”, that quote is no doubt negative and reflects the moods of the characters, such as Heathcliff. Furtherly a quote which shows negative and gothic imagery is when Lockwood describes cutting Catherine on the glass, he says, “I pulled its wrist on to the broken pane, and rubbed it to and fro till the blood ran down and soaked the bedclothes”, notice how Catherine is described as ‘IT’ rather than her, this gives a slight indication that there is a supernatural element contained within the room.
The room which Lockwood is staying in is thought to be possessed by ‘Catherine’ as it was her old room, some might argue that the diary discovered by Lockwood was a subtle cause to his dream, although it is said, “merely the branch of a fir-tree that touched my lattice” was the cause.
Another important quote in chapter 3 that some might notice is when Lockwood narrates from his dream, ‘I could never get into the house without one’ this quote shows considerable details about the style because this relates to Lockwood being an outsider because he does not live at ‘Wuthering heights’.
Wuthering heights has been argued to be in more than one genre, but there are factors which show it contains elements of ‘gothic’ nature, for example, there is a supernatural presence within the 3rd chapter especially when Lockwood is involved with Catherine.
An important factor some might feel is that in Lockwood’s first dream when ‘Jabe Branderham’ is preaching, he stands up to ‘Jabe Branderham’ and speaks his mind.
It is possible to think that because he has been ‘put down and ridiculed’ by many of the people living at Wuthering heights, he is taking out his revenge on the man in his dream or speaking his thoughts where nobody can ever find the truth, the latter some might think is due to Lockwood being a ‘polite gentleman’ (he would contradict himself if he let Heathcliff or anybody else know what he thought of them).
The setting of ‘Wuthering heights’ is important because it creates a dark tone, ‘Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange’ are very different and there is a great contrast between them, ‘Wuthering heights’ is associated with a dark atmosphere and a has a stormy and supernatural presence in contrast with ‘Thrushcross Grange’ which is a calmer household.
This is not the only relevant way that Bronte creates a contrast because when ‘Catherine returns from ‘Thrushcross Grange’ in chapter seven, her fingers are described as ‘wonderfully whitened’ whereas ‘Heathcliff’ are black and dirty.
It can be argued that ‘Bronte’ is trying to put across her points about the social situation at the time the book was written, way in which the reader can tell this is because the Linton’s who seem a very smart household seem to be miserable when ‘Heathcliff’ looks in, “We SHOULD have thought ourselves in heaven! Isabella lay screaming at the father end of the room, shrieking as if witches were running red hot needles into he, Edgar stood on the hearth weeping silently.” This shows us that Bronte is showing that ‘the upper classes’ are showing an appearance of wealth but are insecure emotionally, not only does the quote show ‘Bronte’s’ views but it again show a contrast between ‘Wuthering heights and Thrushcross grange’ because we can tell that ‘Isabella and Edgar’ are childish and cry whereas ‘Heathcliff and Catherine’ are hardened by their blows by ‘Hindley and Earnshaw’.
In conclusion, ‘Wuthering heights’ contains many gothic elements (i.e. the supernatural) during the dream with Catherine’s ghost among other elements which are held within the novel. But more importantly language and setting is used to create an atmosphere which is relevant to the character and also establishes them as well.
‘Heathcliff and Catherine’ are arguably the two most essential characters in the book and their characters are shown by the descriptions and tone of the language, for example there is a contrast as ‘Heathcliff’ is a dark character with black hair, large eyebrows and dirty fingers, compared to Catherine who has pristine whitened fingers’.
All and all if ‘chapter 3’ is thoroughly analysed, there will be many clues foreboding ‘Bronte’s’ views and many techniques of writing style showing tone surrounding the characters, for example Lockwood is surrounded by dark atmosphere.
