Literary Devices in Les Hauts de Hurle-Vent (Wuthering Heights) ✍️

By Emily Brontë

Contents

Introduction — Les Hauts de Hurle-Vent (Wuthering Heights) is a novel by Emily Brontë, not Charlotte Brontë. Published in 1847 under the pseudonym “Ellis Bell,” the novel is a classic of English literature and a cornerstone of Gothic fiction. Emily Brontë, the reclusive and enigmatic sister of Charlotte Brontë, created a dark and stormy narrative set on the isolated moors of Yorkshire. The story revolves around the intense and destructive love between Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw, exploring themes of passion, revenge, and the supernatural. Despite initial mixed reviews, the novel has gained acclaim for its originality and powerful emotional impact. 📚🌩️

Plot Summary

Plot Summary — Wuthering Heights is a tale of intense emotions and complex relationships.

Exposition — The story begins with Mr. Lockwood, a tenant at Thrushcross Grange, visiting Wuthering Heights. He learns about the tumultuous history of the Earnshaw and Linton families through the housekeeper, Nelly Dean.

Rising Action — Mr. Earnshaw brings home an orphan, Heathcliff, who forms a close bond with his daughter, Catherine, but is resented by his son, Hindley. After Mr. Earnshaw’s death, Hindley mistreats Heathcliff. Catherine becomes friends with the Linton siblings, Edgar and Isabella, and is courted by Edgar, causing a rift with Heathcliff.

Climax — Heathcliff overhears Catherine saying it would degrade her to marry him and leaves Wuthering Heights for three years. He returns wealthy and vengeful, seeking to destroy the Linton and Earnshaw families. Catherine marries Edgar, but her passion for Heathcliff remains.

Falling Action — Catherine’s health deteriorates due to her conflicted emotions. She dies after giving birth to her daughter, Cathy. Heathcliff’s revenge continues as he marries Isabella Linton and mistreats her. He also gains control of Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange through manipulation and cruelty.

Resolution — Heathcliff’s obsession with Catherine leads to his mental and physical decline. He dies and is buried next to Catherine. The novel ends on a hopeful note as young Cathy and Hareton Earnshaw, the last heirs of the two families, find love and plan to marry, breaking the cycle of vengeance.

Character Analysis

Character Analysis — Wuthering Heights features a cast of deeply flawed yet compelling characters.

Heathcliff — A brooding and vengeful figure, Heathcliff is driven by his love for Catherine and desire for revenge. His mysterious origins and intense emotions make him a quintessential Byronic hero.
Catherine Earnshaw — Passionate and free-spirited, Catherine is torn between her love for Heathcliff and her desire for social status, leading to her tragic demise.
Edgar Linton — Gentle and refined, Edgar contrasts sharply with Heathcliff. He genuinely loves Catherine but is unable to fully understand or contain her wild spirit.
Isabella Linton — Edgar’s sister, who becomes infatuated with Heathcliff and suffers greatly for it. Her marriage to Heathcliff is marked by abuse and misery.
Hindley Earnshaw — Catherine’s brother, who despises Heathcliff and squanders the family’s wealth. His cruelty towards Heathcliff fuels the latter’s desire for revenge.
Nelly Dean — The loyal housekeeper who serves as the primary narrator of the story. Her perspective is crucial, though sometimes biased.
Young Cathy Linton — Catherine and Edgar’s daughter, who inherits her mother’s strong will and passion. Her love for Hareton signifies hope and redemption.
Hareton Earnshaw — Hindley’s son, who is initially rough and uneducated but transforms under Cathy’s influence. His relationship with young Cathy symbolizes reconciliation.

Character Analysis Summary Table:

Character	Personality Traits	Motivations	Character Development
Heathcliff	Brooding, vengeful, passionate	Love for Catherine, revenge	From orphan to wealthy, vengeful man
Catherine Earnshaw	Passionate, free-spirited, torn	Love for Heathcliff, desire for status	Torn between love and social ambition
Edgar Linton	Gentle, refined, loving	Love for Catherine	Struggles with Catherine’s wild nature
Isabella Linton	Infatuated, naive, suffering	Infatuation with Heathcliff	Marries Heathcliff, endures abuse
Hindley Earnshaw	Cruel, jealous, self-destructive	Hatred for Heathcliff	Squanders wealth, mistreats Heathcliff
Nelly Dean	Loyal, biased, narrative	Protecting the families	Serves as the story’s narrator
Young Cathy Linton	Strong-willed, passionate	Love for Hareton, family reconciliation	Represents hope and redemption
Hareton Earnshaw	Rough, uneducated, transformed	Love for Cathy, seeking redemption	Transforms under Cathy’s influence

Themes and Symbols

Themes and Symbols — Wuthering Heights is rich with themes and symbols that deepen its narrative.

Love and Passion — The novel explores the destructive and redemptive power of love through the tumultuous relationship between Heathcliff and Catherine.
Revenge and Suffering — Heathcliff’s pursuit of vengeance affects multiple generations, illustrating the cyclical nature of revenge and its impact on the innocent.
Social Class and Inequality — The novel critiques the rigid class structures of Victorian society, highlighting the struggles of characters to transcend their social status.
Nature vs. Civilization — The wild, untamed moors symbolize freedom and natural instincts, contrasting with the orderly, civilized world of Thrushcross Grange.
Isolation and Alienation — Many characters experience physical and emotional isolation, which shapes their actions and relationships.
Supernatural Elements — Ghosts and supernatural occurrences underscore the novel’s gothic atmosphere and the lingering presence of past traumas.

Symbols —

Wuthering Heights — Represents the wild, untamed, and chaotic nature of its inhabitants.
Thrushcross Grange — Symbolizes order, civilization, and refinement.
The Moors — Reflect the characters’ inner turmoil and freedom.
The Ghosts — Represent the lingering effects of past traumas and unresolved emotions.

Style and Tone

Style and Tone — Emily Brontë’s writing style and tone in Wuthering Heights contribute significantly to its impact.

Gothic Elements — The novel’s dark, brooding atmosphere and supernatural occurrences enhance its gothic tone.
Complex Narration — The story is told through multiple narrators, primarily Nelly Dean and Mr. Lockwood, providing varied perspectives and adding depth.
Vivid Descriptions — Brontë’s rich, detailed descriptions bring the settings and characters to life, immersing readers in the story.
Emotional Intensity — The novel’s tone is charged with intense emotions, from passionate love to bitter revenge.
Symbolic Language — Brontë uses symbolism extensively to convey deeper meanings and themes.

Literary Devices used in Les Hauts de Hurle-Vent

Symbolism — Objects, characters, and settings representing larger concepts.
Imagery — Vivid descriptions that appeal to the senses.
Irony — A contrast between expectations and reality.
Foreshadowing — Hints about what will happen later in the story.
Metaphor — A comparison between two unlike things without using “like” or “as.”
Simile — A comparison between two unlike things using “like” or “as.”
Personification — Giving human qualities to non-human entities.
Motif — A recurring element that has symbolic significance.
Allusion — A reference to another work of literature, person, or event.
Allegory — A narrative that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning.

Literary Devices Examples

Symbolism

Example	Explanation
The weather (storms)	Reflects the turbulent emotions and conflicts.
Wuthering Heights	Represents chaos and wildness.
Thrushcross Grange	Symbolizes civilization and order.

Imagery

Example	Explanation
Descriptions of the moors	Conveys the wild, untamed nature of the setting.
Vivid portrayal of the characters’ physical features	Highlights their personalities and emotions.
Detailed depiction of the landscapes	Enhances the gothic atmosphere.

Irony

Example	Explanation
Heathcliff’s wealth and power	Despite his rise in status, he remains tormented.
Catherine’s marriage to Edgar	Leads to misery instead of happiness.
The inheritance of Wuthering Heights	Hareton, initially mistreated, becomes the heir.

Foreshadowing

| Example

                                          | Explanation                                              |

Metaphor

Example	Explanation
Heathcliff as a storm	Represents his destructive nature.
Catherine’s love as a fever	Symbolizes her intense, consuming passion.
The houses as characters	Reflect the personalities and fates of their inhabitants.

Simile

Example	Explanation
“As dark as the night”	Highlights Heathcliff’s brooding presence.
“Like a bird in a cage”	Describes Catherine’s feeling of entrapment.
“As fierce as a tiger”	Depicts Heathcliff’s aggressive nature.

Personification

Example	Explanation
The wind howled through the trees	Gives human-like qualities to the wind, enhancing the gothic setting.
The moors sighed under the storm	Reflects the characters’ inner turmoil.
The house groaned under the weight of the storm	Enhances the eerie atmosphere.

Motif

Example	Explanation
Ghosts and hauntings	Recurring elements that underscore the supernatural theme.
Love and revenge	Central motifs driving the characters’ actions.
Nature vs. civilization	Highlights the contrast between the two settings.

Allusion

Example	Explanation
Biblical references	Adds depth to the moral and spiritual themes.
References to Shakespeare’s works	Enriches the narrative with cultural and literary connections.
Classical mythology	Enhances the novel’s thematic complexity.

Allegory

Example	Explanation
Heathcliff’s journey	Represents a broader struggle for identity and belonging.
The destruction of Wuthering Heights	Symbolizes the end of an era and the possibility of renewal.
The characters of Heathcliff and Catherine	Allegorically represent the wild and civilized aspects of human nature.

FAQs

Les Hauts de Hurle-Vent – FAQs

Q: What is the main theme of Les Hauts de Hurle-Vent?
A: The main theme is the destructive power of love and revenge, with elements of social class and supernatural influence.

Q: Who are the primary narrators of the story?
A: The story is primarily narrated by Nelly Dean and Mr. Lockwood.

Q: What is the significance of the setting in the novel?
A: The setting, particularly the moors and the contrasting houses of Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange, reflects the characters’ inner turmoil and the themes of nature vs. civilization.

Q: How does Heathcliff’s character change throughout the novel?
A: Heathcliff transforms from a mistreated orphan into a wealthy, vengeful man, driven by his love for Catherine and his desire for revenge.

Q: What role does the supernatural play in the novel?
A: The supernatural elements, such as the ghosts, enhance the gothic atmosphere and symbolize the lingering effects of past traumas.

Quiz

Question	Options
Who is the protagonist of Wuthering Heights?	a) Heathcliff b) Catherine Earnshaw c) Edgar Linton d) Nelly Dean
What motivates Heathcliff to seek revenge?	a) Wealth b) Love for Catherine c) Social status d) Adventure
Who does Catherine marry?	a) Heathcliff b) Hindley Earnshaw c) Edgar Linton d) Hareton Earnshaw
What symbolizes the wild, untamed nature of the characters?	a) The red room b) The sea c) The moors d) Thrushcross Grange
What is the climax of the novel?	a) Heathcliff’s return b) Catherine’s marriage c) Catherine’s death d) The revelation of ghosts

Exercise

Read the following passage from Les Hauts de Hurle-Vent and identify at least three literary devices used. Write down the devices and provide explanations.

“I lingered round them, under that benign sky: watched the moths fluttering among the heath and harebells, listened to the soft wind breathing through the grass, and wondered how anyone could ever imagine unquiet slumbers for the sleepers in that quiet earth.”

Answers:

Imagery — “watched the moths fluttering among the heath and harebells.”
Personification — “the soft wind breathing through the grass.”
Irony — “wondered how anyone could ever imagine unquiet slumbers for the sleepers in that quiet earth.”