Settings In Wuthering Heights

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Settings in Wuthering Heights

In the novel, Wuthering Heights, Brontë often sets the scene with imagery depicting settings and weather changes. The setting descriptions are indicative of the characters’ traits.
This is apparent immediately in the novel when Lockwood questions the title of the house. Lockwood is quoted spinning the word “Wuthering” in his head. Wuthering is defined as “being a significant provincial adjective, descriptive of the atmospheric tumult to which its station is exposed to stormy weather.” Lockwood refers to the moors as the station exposed to stormy weather. The moors are mentioned throughout the novel as a setting that brings fierce winds to its inhabitants. The evil and darkness of the characters are foreshadowed by the swampy, stormy bogs. All those who inhabit Wuthering Heights are considerably pervert and have bad intentions, like the constant revenge seeking Heathcliff and Hareton characters.
Lockwood notes the eerie chill in the air once he reaches the gates of Wuthering Heights. The very presence of the house makes him “shiver through every limb.” The iciness of the air surrounds only Wuthering Heights. This conveys the general corruptive nature the characters possess.
Heavy snowfall begins immediately after Lockwood enters through the gates. The coldness continues then into the house as Heathcliff shows his inhospitality and lack of concerns for others. Heathcliff offers Lockwood little food or drink as the guest in his house. He extends no helping hand when Lockwood is attacked by his vicious dogs and refuses to send a guide with Lockwood on his journey home. He is stubbornly hesitant to let Lockwood stay the night to avoid the storm even though he has a terrible cold.
An essential scene in the storyline occurs when Heathcliff leaves Wuthering Heights. Heathcliff overhears Catherine telling Nelly that she simply cannot marry Heathcliff. His anger dri...