
'I am Heathcliff - he's always, always in my mind...' Discovered on the streets of Liverpool, Heathcliff is rescued by Mr Earnshaw and taken to the remote Yorkshire farmhouse of Wuthering Heights. Earnshaw's daughter Catherine rapidly forms a passionate attachment to him, but when Catherine's brother takes over the Heights, Heathcliff is lowered to the position of a barely-tolerated farmhand. When Catherine decides to marry the refined Edgar Linton instead, Heathcliff turns revenger. He determines to degrade not only those who sought to degrade him, but their children after them. Wuthering Heights is one of the most famous love stories in the English language. It is also, as the Introduction to this edition explores, one of the most potent revenge narratives. Its ingenious narrative structure, vivid evocation of landscape, and the extraordinary power of its depiction of love and hatred have given it a unique place in English literature. This edition reproduces the authoritative Clarendon text, with revised and expanded notes and a selection from the poems of Emily Brontë. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.
The arrival of an orphaned boy at a remote Yorkshire farmhouse initiates a cycle of obsession and vengeance that spans generations. Heathcliff, a foundling brought into the Earnshaw family, develops a volatile bond with Catherine Earnshaw that defies social boundaries and familial expectations. When Catherine chooses a conventional marriage to Edgar Linton, Heathcliff retreats into a calculated campaign of retribution against both the Earnshaw and Linton families. The narrative employs a complex, multi-layered framework, utilizing nested perspectives from secondary characters to recount the turbulent history of the inhabitants of Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange.
Discussion often centers on the moral ambiguity of the protagonists and the unconventional nature of their connection. Readers frequently highlight the stark, atmospheric prose that mirrors the harsh landscape of the moors. Critics often examine the structural complexity of the novel, noting how the shifting perspectives create a sense of distance and mystery. The work remains a subject of intense analysis regarding its subversion of traditional Victorian romantic tropes and its focus on the darker aspects of human nature.
Page Count:
304
Publication Date:
2009-10-08
Publisher:
Oxford University Press Academic Uk
ISBN-10:
0191609196
ISBN-13:
9780191609190
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