The Gothic novel is known for its intertwined elements of horror and romance – and no other features can better embody Emily Bronte’s complex work Wuthering Heights. Published in 1847, the novel chronicles the events that occurred in the isolated moor country of England, between the inhabitants of Thrushcross Grange and of Wuthering Heights. The story is told through non-linear narrative and at the center of the complicated tale is a young lady named Catherine Linton – named after her deceased mother Catherine Earnshaw. A woman of both emotion and intellect, she incites contrasting views from her father Edgar Linton and her nursemaid Nelly Dean.
Young Catherine, or Cathy, is adored by her father Edgar. Having been raised by her doting father, she is undoubtedly intelligent. Her father is aware of her emotional side but his overwhelming love for her blinds him. She is compassionate and seeks Linton – which increases her love for him. She goes to Wuthering Heights without her father’s permission, and he does not take extreme measures to stop her. And her emotional side is her downfall – as Heathcliff capitalizes on that quality to force her to marry Linton. He holds her captive and she is unable to see her father, which more quickly deteriorates his health.
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On the other hand, Nelly is not as easily fooled by her love for Cathy. Having known her mother, Nelly is aware of Cathy’s spontaneous quality. She guards her charge, attempting to prevent her trips to the ancient manor. But Nelly’s attempts are without success, as she is unable to stop Cathy from marrying Linton. The difference, however, between Edgar and Nelly, is that Edgar was fooled by his love for her. In the end, neither was able to rescue their love from Heathcliff’s tyranny and Cathy must live miserably at Wuthering Heights.
Thus, both Nelly and Edgar believed that Cathy was too emotional for her own good. But Edgar’s attachment to his daughter shielded his true view of her. And Cathy’s emotion inevitably overpowered her intellect, leading to her to be vulnerable at the hands of Heathcliff. And in this way, her love for Linton was horrific at the same time – embodying the very essence of a true Gothic novel.
