Catherine's relationships with Heathcliff and Edgar contrast the values of Romanticism and the enlightenment it revolted against. Heathliff is a noble savage and his relationship with Catherine is fueled by passion and animal instincts. Catherine's relationship with Edgar is much more socially acceptable a more civilised and material basis.
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Bronte:Emily Jane Brontë was born on the 30th of July 1818, and was the fifth child of Patrick and Maria Brontë. Bronte's father was a pastor and her mother Maria died when Emily was only three. At 17, Emily went to the Roe Head School where her sister Charlotte was then teaching. Emily managed to stay only three months before returning home.
In 1846, Emily finished writing Wuthering Heights. The writing style and shocking subject matter ept most people thinking the author was a man, believing that no woman could write such things. In 1848 Bronte became sick but refused to see doctors, and because of her refusal to acknowledge her declining health Bronte died in December of that year. Plot summary of Wuthering heights: http://www.shmoop.com/wuthering-heights/summary.html
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Themes:
- Propriety vs Emotions – finding the balance (is explored mostly through romantic relationships)
- Catherine & Edgar – socially acceptable love
- Cathy and Hareton – the only positive love, balance between the passion and the socially correct
- Religion- Organised Religion belittling the true values of religion
- Humanities dark side - romantic introspection
Connecting Wuthering Heights to the paradigms
Philosophical
Bronte reflects the Romantic rejection of social expectation and Enlightenment principles, particularly through the use of a Byronic hero such as Heathcliff. Heathcliff's wild personality and connection to the moors connects him to Rousseau's theory of the 'noble savage', saying that mankind is at its best when removed from the influences of the developed world. The saying, “man was born free but he is everywhere in chains” criticizes conservatism and propriety as they 'chain' man and disconnect him from his humanity and freedom.
Another thinker, Friedrich Schiller, supported this ideal in his On the Aesthetic Education of Man: “Man only plays when he is in the fullest sense of the word a human being, and he is only fully a human being when he plays.”
Another thinker, Friedrich Schiller, supported this ideal in his On the Aesthetic Education of Man: “Man only plays when he is in the fullest sense of the word a human being, and he is only fully a human being when he plays.”
Economic
In 1801 the Industrial Revolution was under way in England and the traditional relationship of social classes was being disrupted by an upwardly-aspiring middle class. A new standard for defining a gentleman - money - was challenging the traditional criteria of breeding and family and the more recent criterion of character.
Below is an 11 minute overview of the French Revolution which had a huge impact on the economy at this time.
Below is an 11 minute overview of the French Revolution which had a huge impact on the economy at this time.
Religious
The Enlightenment period led to the rationalising of God. Since the universe could ultimately be examined by reason, then it must follow that God must also be rational, as opposed to mystical, and religion must also be based on the same rationality. Methodism was a religious movement lead by John Wesley and his brother Charles.
This religious movement was a reaction against the logic and reason that had infiltrated the Anglican church due to the Age of Enlightenment. Methodism originated as the “holy club” at Oxford University where the Wesley brothers and other members practiced religion in a more traditional, personal and introspective way. Methodism began to define other religious groups that sought reform within the Church of England, the movement spread and soon a significant number of Anglican clergy became known as Methodists in the mid-18th century. Conservative members of the church of England criticized the Methodist practices of introspection, private religion and and religious enthusiasm.
This religious movement was a reaction against the logic and reason that had infiltrated the Anglican church due to the Age of Enlightenment. Methodism originated as the “holy club” at Oxford University where the Wesley brothers and other members practiced religion in a more traditional, personal and introspective way. Methodism began to define other religious groups that sought reform within the Church of England, the movement spread and soon a significant number of Anglican clergy became known as Methodists in the mid-18th century. Conservative members of the church of England criticized the Methodist practices of introspection, private religion and and religious enthusiasm.
Fun Links
Rousseau and the noble savage myth: Summarised ideas of the noble savage.
Against Civilization: Chronological summaries of thinkers who talk about “civilisation”.
Overview of Emily Bronte: A super, fantastic site all about Bronte and Wuthering Heights.
Against Civilization: Chronological summaries of thinkers who talk about “civilisation”.
Overview of Emily Bronte: A super, fantastic site all about Bronte and Wuthering Heights.