“I’d not exchange, for a thousand lives, my condition here, for Edgar Linton’s at Thrushcross Grange not if I might have the privilege of flinging Joseph off the highest gable, and painting the house front with Hindleys’ blood!”
This violent, passionate language Heathcliff uses to describe life at Thrushcross Grange is comparable to the state of violent storminess depicted in the evil side of life at Wuthering Heights. Heathcliff admires the luxury of Thrushcross Grange and recognises its beauty and almost despises Edgar and Isabella for their easy lifestyle and lack of worries, yet he cannot understand the selfishness of the spoilt children:
“When would you catch me wishing to have what Catherine wanted?”
The image of the two civilised children inside the “beautiful” room and the two wild children outside, both a boy and a girl of similar ages make the window take on the role of a mirror. However the mirror shows the complete opposite lifestyles rather than the true images of those who look into it.
Wuthering Heights is dark, “bleak” and an unpleasant place situated on a high windy crest of the Yorkshire moors, the house is even described as “grotesque”. This imagery makes Wuthering Heights an opposing household and very un-welcoming and the stormy nature of the weather on the crest of the moors is comparable to the cold, dark temperament of Heathcliff.
Whereas Thrushcross Grange is a contrast to the bleak exposed farmhouse of Wuthering Heights. Thrushcross Grange and the Linton family represent culture, refinement, convention and cultivation. Thrushcross Grange is situated in a valley with none of the harsh attributes Wuthering Heights has and its inhabitants are more refined with moral and calmer attitudes.
Thrushcross Grange is filled with light and is the appropriate place for the calm children, Edgar and Isabella. It is apparent that Edgar and Isabella benefit from their surroundings at the “beautiful- splendid place” of Thrushcross Grange. The Grange in which all is orderly and pleasant symbolises the civilised nature of the Linton family.
The Grange and the Lintons are a more welcoming and peaceful dwelling where the personality is both warm and draws upon the warmth of the décor and richness of the home.
“A splendid place carpeted with crimson, and crimson-covered chairs and tables, and a pure white ceiling bordered by gold.”
This splenditure and warmth is reflected in the inviting personality of the Linton family toward Cathy.
Without a doubt Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange, along with the people who dwell in them, represent two entirely contrasting mentalities and states of mind: one of unrestrained passion and dark broodiness, the other of politely refined affection and soft tenderness. The Grange is a symbol of civilisation, warmth and goodness; Wuthering Heights is a symbol of wildest cruelty and evil. Such utter difference between the environments of the households symbolises the distinction between the temperaments of the inhabitants.
