Opposing Houses

Opposing Houses

"The ache for home lives in all of us, the safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned"(Maya Angelou). Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange symbolizes the characteristics of the people who reside there. The place where a person grows up matters because it says a lot about who they have become, but it is also the only place they can truly feel home, for example Heathcliff and Edgar. Emily Bronte, in Wuthering Heights, uses the opposition between Thrushcross Grange and Wuthering Heights to emphasize her theme of precariousness of social class.

Heathcliff's true home is Wuthering Heights; the house symbolizes his characteristics of being one with nature, simple yet strong enough to withstand anything. As written by Bronte, " 'Wuthering'...descriptive of the atmospheric tumult to which its station is exposed in stormy weather...Happily, the architect had foresight to build it strong"(4). The Heights is described as storm-blown, being exposed to the tumultuous weather all the time away from the rest of the neighborhood, but also sturdy and strong. Wuthering Heights, seen as a simple farmhouse that remains unchanged but in looks, also symbolizes oneness with nature as it is closer to the moors than the town. Nelly tells Lockwood, "he had sense to comprehend Heathcliff's disposition: to know that, though his exterior was altered, his mind was unchangeable and unchanged" (100). Similar to Wuthering Heights, Heathcliff has gone through changes physically but his true personality is still the same. Heathcliff became strong through all the torture from Hindley as a child and even if he had grown he still chooses to return to the Heights, his home. Wuthering Heights reflects the characteristics of Heathcliff, it can withstand all the storms, it connects to nature, and it shows simplicity.

In contrast to Wuthering Heights, Thrushcross Grange symbolizes calm along with a civilized nature, the same way Heathcliff opposes Edgar as the latter has class and more tranquility similar to his home. Heathcliff describes the Grange to Nelly as, " ' it was beautiful-a splendid place carpeted with crimson, and crimson-covered chairs and tables, a pure white ceiling bordered by gold' "(48). Thrushcross Grange clearly differs from the Heights; the Grange looks more civilized and richer than the house on the opposite side of the moors. The Grange, located closer to the town and farther away from the moors compared to Wuthering Heights, illustrates wealth in the neighborhood and refinement than other houses in the same environment. "Culture makes all men gentle." (Menander). Edgar Linton's gentle personality correlates with his manners and civilized way of living; he speaks his mind but speaks softly and not wild such as Heathcliff and those from Wuthering Heights.