Wuthering Heights

Wuthering Heights is set in the mid 18th century against a background of wealth and social position. This essay summarises the role of main characters in the story. It also discusses Bronte’s use of imagery and opposites in relation to both setting and characters to create a rich and vividly descriptive story for the reader.

Two principal complex characters form the basis of the story line.

Catherine Earnshaw lives in Wuthering Heights. Her background is one of wealth and privilege. As a child Catherine was mischievous as described by the servant Nelly Dean “mischievous and wayward. In her childhood her behaviour was not typical of the normal expectations of a ‘lady’ of that social position. She had a tendency to do the opposite of what she should – playing on the moors instead of reading. A wilful girl who loved freedom and the ability to express herself. During this period in her childhood and particularly after the death of her father Catherine’s personality devel...