The Classic Novel Files: Wuthering Heights

Many years ago, I decided this was possibly one of the most depressing novels I have ever read. Nothing good happens to the majority of the characters, and everyone spends their days rambling around and complaining. I wanted to read it again over Christmas, and see if I remembered it correctly. The second time around, it was actually even more depressing.

Throughout the majority of the novel the housekeeper, Nelly Dean, tells the new tenant of the house the story of those who had lived there before him. She works at a large mansion called Thrushcross Grange. A few miles away is a smaller house called Wuthering Heights. For about fifty years the families of both households interacted with each other, and the end result was never favourable. Nelly relays the heartaches of two generations as her listener hangs onto every word.

Heathcliff, an illegitimate child who was brought to Wuthering Heights by a kind man, is the most despicable human being imaginable. He is tormented throughout his childhood, which is not his fault, but decides to make every person around him pay for his unhappiness. The love of his life, Catherine, marries someone else, even though she loves Heathcliff. After she dies, Heathcliff goes off the deep end. He ultimately makes the life of Catherine’s daughter miserable, and kills his own son by being indifferent towards him. It’s only after Heathcliff dies that some form of normalcy can be discovered at either household, and the inhabitants can attempt to build happy lives.

With all that being said, read the book. You will feel angry, you will feel sad, and you will become emotionally invested in the characters. But in the end, you will be happy with the outcome of the novel. It’s a classic for a reason.