How important to the novel are the settings of Wuthering heights and Thrushcross grange?

Events at the Heights all run along this stormy bent. Hindley turns to drink and lets the house fall to ruin after his wife dies in childbirth. Heathcliff and Cathy run from Wuthering heights in hope of discovering what Thrushcross grange is like.

On the other side, Thrushcross Grange is a place of relative peace and civilization. It stands proud on a stretch of manicured land, a representation of society and affluence. It produces the characters Edgar and Cathy Linton, two educated people. Edgar is the most typical of the Grange. He is weak-willed and rather cowardly when arguing with Cathy is sometimes backs down and leaves the situation to someone else to put back right.

This contrast in environment can also be seen through the characters behaviour and attitude towards one another. Lockwood describes Wuthering Heights to us. He is unable to give us much detail about the house as he is scared about what Heathcliff might say or so if he asked any questions. He has to ask Nelly Dean about the house and it’s precedent.

In the 5 weeks Cathy remains at Thrushcross grange, after the incident with the Linton’s dog, her wildness is calmed and on returning to Wuthering heights it seems that she is now under control more. She is described as “Quite a beauty! I should scarcely have known her”. It seems as though she has returned with a new frame of mind and new identity and it’s as if her past has been eradicated. But soon after her return to Wuthering Heights she is back to her old ways. It seems that the environment she is placed in controls her temper and wildness.

Thrushcross grange is more civilised than Wuthering heights. On arriving at Wuthering Heights Lockwood is made to feel unwelcome by Heathcliff. Heathcliff first words to Lockwood are “ I should not allow anyone to inconvenience me”. Thrushcross grange, on the other hand, is more welcoming and is happy for outsiders to stay with them in their household. They do not turn Cathy away when she falls ill on their doorstep. This shows that Thrushcross grange is a more socialised and civilised place.

Thrushcross Grange and Wuthering heights are as different as night and day. This contrast adds a dramatic twist to the novel. Within a separation of just 4 miles, these two houses are the exact.