Wuthering Heights embodies wildness, its rugged moors echoing the tumultuous passions of its inhabitants, reflecting their untamed spirits and tumultuous lives. In contrast, Thrushcross Grange exudes refinement and tranquility, its manicured grounds and elegant facade concealing the societal constraints that govern its inhabitants, creating a facade of civility amidst inner turmoil.
Key Takeaways
- Wuthering Heights is a dark, isolated, wild place representing passion, turmoil, and revenge.
- Thrushcross Grange is a civilized, comfortable, and refined place representing order, tranquillity, and civility.
- Wuthering Heights is associated with Heathcliff and Catherine, while Thrushcross Grange is associated with Edgar Linton and Isabella Linton.
Wuthering Heights vs Thrushcross Grange
The difference between wuthering heights and thrushcross grange is that wuthering heights is a house located at the top of Yorkshire Moors where the weather is dark and stormy. Thrushcross Grange is a house situated in the lower Valley close to civilization, where the weather is bright and calm,
Wuthering Heights is used as a representation of the darker side of life that is filled with evil, anger, negativity, hatred, etc.
Thrushcross Grange represents the brighter side of life, filled with positivity, goodness, peace, love, kindness, etc.
Comparison Table
| Feature | Wuthering Heights | Thrushcross Grange |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Wild and barren moors | Fertile valley surrounded by trees |
| Appearance | Gloomy, dilapidated manor with a dark atmosphere | Elegant, spacious manor with a bright atmosphere |
| Inhabitants | Earnshaws (Hindley, Catherine, Heathcliff), Lintons (Isabella) | Lintons (Edgar, Isabella) |
| Social Status | Lower class, considered wild and uncouth | Upper class, considered refined and civilized |
| Atmosphere | Filled with anger, bitterness, revenge, and despair | Filled with love, kindness, peace, and hope |
| Symbolism | Represents chaos, passion, and the wildness of nature | Represents order, reason, and the cultivation of nature |
| Impact on Characters | Influences characters for the worse, driving them to destructive actions | Influences characters for the better, providing them with stability and support |
What is Wuthering Heights?
Wuthering Heights is the principal setting of Emily Brontë’s novel “Wuthering Heights,” situated on the desolate Yorkshire moors in Northern England. It stands as a solitary, isolated farmhouse, characterized by its bleak and imposing appearance. The name “Wuthering” is derived from a Yorkshire term meaning stormy or turbulent weather, aptly describing the tempestuous atmosphere that permeates the house.
Symbolism and Atmosphere
- Symbol of the Wild: Wuthering Heights represents the untamed, primal aspects of nature. Its rugged surroundings and harsh climate mirror the tumultuous passions and fierce personalities of its inhabitants, particularly Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw. The house embodies a sense of raw intensity and emotional upheaval, reflecting the wildness of the Yorkshire moors.
- Isolation and Solitude: Perched atop a hill, Wuthering Heights stands apart from the neighboring properties, emphasizing its isolation and seclusion. This physical remoteness parallels the emotional isolation experienced by its residents, who are cut off from mainstream society due to their unconventional behavior and intense relationships.
Significance to the Narrative
- Setting for Tragic Events: Wuthering Heights serves as the backdrop for the unfolding drama of love, revenge, and tragedy that defines the novel. It is within these walls that Heathcliff and Catherine’s passionate but destructive relationship takes root, leading to a series of vengeful acts and heart-wrenching consequences for generations to come.
- Reflecting the Characters: The rugged, elemental nature of Wuthering Heights mirrors the complex and tumultuous personalities of its inhabitants. Heathcliff’s brooding intensity and Catherine’s fiery spirit find their parallel in the harsh landscape and turbulent weather that surround the house, reinforcing the symbiotic relationship between characters and setting.
What is Thrushcross Grange?
Thrushcross Grange is a contrasting setting to Wuthering Heights in Emily Brontë’s novel “Wuthering Heights.” Located in the idyllic valley below the wild moors of Yorkshire, England, it stands as a symbol of wealth, refinement, and civility. Unlike the rugged and austere Wuthering Heights, Thrushcross Grange is described as a beautiful, elegant mansion surrounded by well-maintained gardens and picturesque landscapes.
Symbolism and Atmosphere
- Emblem of Civilization: Thrushcross Grange represents the epitome of societal norms and refinement. Its manicured grounds, luxurious furnishings, and sophisticated ambiance reflect the wealth and status of its inhabitants, the Lintons. The house exudes an air of sophistication and gentility, serving as a stark contrast to the primal nature of Wuthering Heights.
- Shelter from the Storm: Unlike the exposed and windswept Wuthering Heights, Thrushcross Grange offers a sense of shelter and security. Its solid walls and comfortable interiors provide a refuge from the harsh realities of life on the moors, shielding its residents from the tumultuous passions and conflicts that characterize the neighboring farmhouse.
Significance to the Narrative
- Intersection of Worlds: Thrushcross Grange serves as a meeting point between the contrasting worlds of Wuthering Heights and the genteel society. It is here that the characters from both settings intersect, leading to conflicts and alliances that drive the plot forward. The marriage between Catherine Earnshaw and Edgar Linton, for example, symbolizes the clash between wild passion and societal expectations.
- Confinement and Constraint: While Thrushcross Grange offers comfort and stability, it also represents the suffocating constraints of societal norms and expectations. Its rigid decorum and emphasis on propriety serve to suppress individual expression and authenticity, leading to a sense of confinement for characters like Catherine and Heathcliff, who find themselves at odds with the constraints of polite society.
Main Differences Between Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange
- Location and Setting:
- Wuthering Heights is situated on the desolate Yorkshire moors, characterized by its rugged and isolated environment.
- Thrushcross Grange is located in a picturesque valley below the moors, boasting well-manicured gardens and a more refined landscape.
- Atmosphere and Ambiance:
- Wuthering Heights exudes a sense of wildness and turbulence, reflecting the untamed passions and intense emotions of its inhabitants.
- Thrushcross Grange emanates an air of sophistication and civility, providing a sheltered and tranquil environment that contrasts with the tumultuous nature of Wuthering Heights.
- Symbolism and Societal Representation:
- Wuthering Heights symbolizes primal instincts, representing the clash between nature and civilization, and serves as a refuge for characters who reject societal norms.
- Thrushcross Grange embodies societal conventions and expectations, reflecting the constraints of polite society and serving as a symbol of wealth and refinement.
- https://online.ucpress.edu/ncl/article-pdf/13/3/199/146196/3044379.pdf
- https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1179/030977672796481176
Last Updated : 02 March, 2024
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