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Essay / Stormwind - 738
The most interesting books are those that engage you in constant conflict. In Wuthering Heights, a novel by Emily Brontë, we are always wondering what will happen next. On one side there are the well-bred and lavish people of Thrushcross Grange and on the other the instinctive and violent inhabitants of Wuthering Heights. No matter what happens in the novel, it is clearly evident that there is a conflict between nature and society in Bronte's literary masterpiece, Wuthering Heights. When you compare the two areas of Wuthering Heights, you can see the essence of nature versus society. In Wuthering Heights, the house is dull and boring. Heathcliff has dogs that attack strangers, but at Thrushcross Grange the house is vibrant and welcoming. The Lintons have a warm and comforting home, a symbol of the Victorian upper class. Perhaps the most interesting conflict between nature and society is between Catherine and Heathcliff. Bronte begins his novel by giving us the clue of a connection between Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw. This connection grows stronger throughout the novel until Catherine and Heathcliff head to Thrushcross Grange. In this part of the novel, we begin to see the never-ending conflict between nature and society. Heathcliff symbolizes nature, mainly due to his upbringing. However, Catherine symbolizes society due to her drastic change in lifestyle after staying with the Lintons. As readers, we could see immediately that Heathcliff was someone who did not fit into society because of his appearance and background. “He is a dark-skinned gypsy with the appearance, bearing and manners of a gentleman” (Bronte 3). Bronte makes it clear that Heathcliff would definitely not fit into accepted society. Du...... middle of paper ...... was born, Heathcliff couldn't deal with someone who reminded him of his one true love. Heathcliff forces the marriage between young Cathy and her son, so that he can obtain Thrushcross Grange once his invalid son, Linton Heathcliff, dies. Heathcliff admits to Nelly that Catherine's soul has haunted him every day since her death. Heathcliff, in his wild anger, attempted to strike young Cathy but was unable to do so due to a particular resemblance between her and his mother. This idea of nature versus society in Bronte's book leaves us, the readers, thinking that the conflict was that Heathcliff and Catherine did not marry. However, it also leaves the reader with a very interesting question: if Heathcliff and Catherine could love each other, would they? who resolved the conflict? Could love have resolved the conflict between the battle of nature and society?