To start off with, looking at the literature critically helps the reader to understand the deeper meaning of the literature. A critical lens allows the reader to easily identify the specific literary techniques used. In Emily Brontë's WutheringHeights, the characters, the setting, the weather, the interactions, and the metaphors used throughout the text help decipher a variety of important lenses. The lenses of gender studies, postcolonial, ecocriticism, psychoanalytic, and critique Marxist are all present in Wuthering Heights. The focus of the critical lens is to teach the readers a lesson. For example, gender study allows readers to identify patterns of gender roles in the society of the literature. The postcolonial lens of Western society …show more content…
In Chapter 10, Heathcliff wants to get revenge by marrying Isabella Linton to steal Edgar's land. Catherine states, "you are too prone to covet your neighbour's goods" (99, Brontë). The Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange scenes are integral to Heathcliff's goals. The weather in Wuthering Heightsforeshadows certain events and keeps the viewer engaged in the story. For example, blizzards, rain, and clouds show the character's reaction to the environment. Finally, metaphorical references to nature visually enhance the thematic statement. Wuthering Heights women tend to be more at home with nature than men. For example, Catherine's character respects the beauty of nature. In Chapter 9, Catherine compares her love for Heathcliff to Linton, using nature to state: "My love for Linton is like the foliage in the woods: time will change it ... My love for Heathcliff resembles the eternal rocks beneath " (91, Brontë). The thematic insight presented by the ecocritic lens is a metaphorical emphasis on how nature, atmospheric changes exhibited by the weather, animal reactions, and the environment itself contribute to the development of Wuthering …show more content…
In WutheringHeights, dreams are recurring. Dreams in literature help readers teach the inner conflicts of characters. Linton is a perfect example. Catherine has a dream that symbolizes the entire "unrequited love" conflict throughout the story. Catherine says that her dream happened in heaven, where everything was civilized and fun. However, she longed to return to Earth where the WutheringHeightsestate was located. This account symbolizes Heaven as Edgar and Wuthering Heightsas Heathcliff. In Chapter 9 Catherine says: " I was only going to say that heaven did not seem to be my home; I broke my heart with weeping to come back to earth, " then she says, " I've no more business to marry Edgar Linton than I have to be in heaven ... It would degrade me to marry Heathcliff now " (82, Brontë ). A psychoanalytic insight emerges from Catherine's inner struggle for happiness. She can't decide between being happy with wealth or true love. The thematic insight into Catherine's dream provides is a deeper understanding of Catherine's complexity as a