Wurthering Heights Post #7: Author's Techniques

The author uses suspense in the novel to keep the reader attentive. The reader must keep reading because they want to know what happens next. Bronte tells the long tale of the love story between Catherine and Heathcliff that never quite works out. The reader keeps reading to see what interesting event will happen next. At first, the lovers life is well. When Hindley takes over their lives, however, things complicate. The readers must keep reading to see how complicated things get before they can work out. However, they soon find out things do not work, and it is a bitter ending to the love story. With suspense, comes mystery. Mr. Lockwood was curious about the house of Wurthing Heights, so he called upon Nelly to tell him the history of it. The mystery of the story is basically the suspense of wondering what happens next. Symbolism also plays a small role in the novel. I believe the house of Wurthing Heights to be a symbol because it symbolizes Heathcliff's past: dreary , disturbed, and sorrowful. Another symbol that is used a few times is the symbol of a ghost. This symbol represents sorrow and sadness. Before Heathcliff dies, he talks to the ghost of Catherine. This symbolizes his sadness of her death, and the sadness of his death as well. Heathcliff was ready to die and reunite with Catherine, however. A positive note, that can satisfy the reader who kept reading because of the mystery and suspense.

Bronte, Emily. Wuthering Heights. New York: Barnes & Noble, 2004. Print.