In the second setting at Thrushcroft Grove, the setting is almost the complete opposite of the previous Wuthering heights. It says “The return of sunshine was welcomed” This will suggest to the reader, that because there is sunshine in this setting, it is a much brighter and happier place full of happier people. Also the word ‘welcomed’ implies that it has an inviting sense to it making a person want to come, unlike Wuthering heights that is full of gloom.
Also in the setting of Thrushcroft Grove, it gives us the impression it is a very tranquil setting. Bronte writes “…the scene they gazed on, looked wondrously peaceful” This indicates that this setting is friendly setting. It also reflects the Lintons’ Character as they all seem peaceful and welcoming unlike the hot tempered Heathcliff. It also gives a clear difference between the settings and the characters that dwell inside them.
In the gardens of both settings, Bronte continues to use pathetic fallacy to display more about what each setting reveals about the characters. In Wuthering Heights Lockwood States “No wonder the grass grows up between the flags and the cattle are the only hedge cutters.” This suggests to me that the garden in Wuthering heights is very un-kept and not looked after or tended to. He also says “…and by a range of gaunt thorns all stretching their limbs one way” The writer has uses personification to give strong imagery of how the thorns are ‘stretching their limbs’ all around the house. It gives a gothic feeling to the house and a dark feeling giving you the feeling there is someone or something also dark inside of the house.
In the Lintons’ garden, there is a whole different feeling compared to Wuthering Heights. Nelly says “On a Mellow evening in September, I was coming from the garden with a heavy basket of apples” From this quote, the writer has shown us the contrast in settings of the gardens and how Thrushcroft differs from the dark gloomy gardens of Wuthering heights. The Lintons’ garden seems very positive and a pleasant place to be in, more to the fact it grows fruit on the trees unlike Wuthering heights that most growth is from the thorns. The implication that there is growth in Thrushcroft grove but none in Wuthering heights, suggests that Thrushcroft grove is an area where your life can blossom and become something fruitful unlike at Wuthering heights were the tangled thorns suggest your life will be somewhat disordered, trapped and muddled.
Emily Bronte also compares the window views of both settings to display the differences in persona of both places. In Wuthering Heights, she continues her gothic, dark theme. She Writes “…the narrow windows are deeply set in the wall, and the corners defended with large jutting stones” This detailed description gives me the impression that there is imprisonment inside of this house as the windows are ‘deeply set in the wall’ it also gives me the feeling that beyond the deep set windows, there is something in the house that is hidden and can not escape.
At Thrushcroft Grove the windows symbolise something completely different to those of Wuthering Heights. Nelly says “They sat together in a window whose lattice lay back against the wall and displayed, beyond the garden trees and the wild green park the called of Gimmerton...” This description tells me that due to the opened lattices’ it shows freedom. Also as through the window you can see Greenland; it also represents a sign of freedom and freshness you do not perceive at Wuthering heights.
In Both settings Bronte has clearly displayed differences and reasons why she has put certain characters in certain settings as they most definitely echo their personalities. She has several implications throughout the story that life in both settings are completely different and it would be interesting to think what would occur if some of the characters where in the opposite settings.
