Wuthering Heights Post #14: Symbolism

I saw reoccurring symbolism throughout the novel. Both of the symbols I saw represented either despair or sadness. Symbols are important because it is an easier way to represent something big in something smaller. Symbols are often overlooked, but I saw a few.

The first symbol is Wurthering Heights. The house represents darkness and despair. Heathcliff has had few up's and many down's in that house. It is the place that Heathcliff loved and lost. It is the place that he sees the ghost of his love, Catherine, as well. It is a place filled with the sad live and the angry revenge plots of Heathcliff. The servants even seem to wallow in its gloominess. Wuthering Heights is also characterized by the weather. It was rather windy at first. Then, the next time Lockwood returned, there was a horrible snowstorm. Therefore, Wuthering Heights represents despair and darkness.

Another symbol is the ghosts. The ghost of Catherine represents the lost love and sadness. Whenever the ghost is seen, Heathcliff is miserably saddened. The ghost also represents the end because death is the end. Heathcliff knows he will never be with Catherine until he dies. So this brings on more sadness as well. The ghosts in the novel often appear at times when people are uncomfortable and disappointed. The first time Catherine appeared, she grabbed Mr. Lockwood's arm when he was uncomfortable in the room. Heathcliff was disappointed before Catherine appeared because his revenge will not continue. The ghost definitely show up at inconvenient times! They obviously represent sadness, too!

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