Analysis of gothic literature and how it helps to develop character, plot and theme in Emily Brontes Wuthering Heights

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Analysis of gothic literature and how it helps to develop character, plot and theme in Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights

Dark castles, stormy weathers, extreme landscapes, supernatural beings, imprisoned ladies, Byronic heroes, all of these elements would fit perfectly into a what is called a gothic genre. The gothic genre was found by Horace Walpole’s The Castle of Otranto for it’s medieval and gothic setting. Then as a result of the increasingly interest in the Middle Ages, gothic literatures soon flourished Western Europe in the late 18th century to the Victorian Era. For a novel written and published around the time, Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights is often considered to be a piece of gothic literature for it possess many of the gothic styles and elements in the novel. Bronte uses these gothic elements to help her develop her character and plot and create theme in the novel.

In the gothic genre, Byronic heroes have conflicting emotions, troubled pasts, and lack in rank and social classes. They are often mysterious and have potential to commit horrible crimes. Heathcliff is an example of a Byronic hero. His past is surrounded in mystery. The story didn’t tell anything more than just a few brief descriptions of his physical appearance and his arrival at Wuthering Heights. It is never mentioned what was his origins and parenting or where he had obtained all his money after his return to Wuthering Heights. However, the story did tell the readers of Heathcliff’s miserable past.

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Heathcliff is most noticeable for his transformation from being a victim into a victimizer. In the beginning of the novel, Heathcliff was brought home by Old Earnshaw to Wuthering Heights as an unwelcomed child who was already suffering from starvation. Hindley abuses the boy even more out of dislike for the boy by denying him of an education and forcing him to work like any other servants. It was not until Heathcliff’s runaway that he stopped suffering from Hindley’s abuses. As Heathcliff sworn he would get even with Hindley, upon his return from his runaway, he has carried out his ...

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