09-02-2008, 07:01 AM
Wuthering Heights is another interesting Gothic novel for those reasons, except that since Cathy and Heathcliff both make so many errors out of pride, their only happy ending is in the world beyond. She does not stick by her man, with the most fateful consequences for all involved.
And the thing is, she does really love him, but her youthful carelessness and fear of what the world would say destroys the very thing she loves the most.
Mr Rochester was willing to risk everything to have Jane in his life, even with a wife still living; Cathy wasn't prepared to do the same for Heathcliff, even though she was single at the time they met.
She then made her husband unhappy, and died basically tormenting herself to death over the errors she had made, rather than doing something to correct them in some way.
So this is also an example of a strong romance element essential to the Gothic setting, and vice versa. The setting is like another character affecting the romance. Not just Wuthering Heights in this case, (really spectacular scenery no matter what the time of year, especially Peninston Crag) but all the people in their social circle who contribute to their downfalls
And the thing is, she does really love him, but her youthful carelessness and fear of what the world would say destroys the very thing she loves the most.
Mr Rochester was willing to risk everything to have Jane in his life, even with a wife still living; Cathy wasn't prepared to do the same for Heathcliff, even though she was single at the time they met.
She then made her husband unhappy, and died basically tormenting herself to death over the errors she had made, rather than doing something to correct them in some way.
So this is also an example of a strong romance element essential to the Gothic setting, and vice versa. The setting is like another character affecting the romance. Not just Wuthering Heights in this case, (really spectacular scenery no matter what the time of year, especially Peninston Crag) but all the people in their social circle who contribute to their downfalls
