The document summarizes the major oppositions and contrasts presented in the novel Wuthering Heights. It discusses the contrast between the two houses, Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange, representing heaven and hell. It also contrasts the wild, mistreated children Catherine and Heathcliff with the pampered Linton children. Finally, it contrasts the two male protagonists Heathcliff and Edgar Linton, their upbringings, personalities, and clashes over Catherine.

1. Antithetic issues in Wuthering Hights
The univers of the novel is made up of opposite forces: storm and calm, high manners and savagery,
wealth and poverty, love and hate.
The two houses – Wuthering Hights versus Thrushcross Grange
As many times Heathcliff is reffered to as the Devil, we may look at the two houses as representations of
Heaven and Hell, two opposite places, one of tranquility, the other of torture, degradation.
Whutering Hights - “the architect had foresight to build it strong: the narrow windows are deeply set in
the wall, and the corners defended with large jutting stones. Before passing the threshold, I paused to
admire a quantity of grotesque carvings lavished over the front, and especially about the principal door;
above which, among a wilderness of crumbling griffins and shameless little boys […]” (chap. I)
Thrushcross Grange - “it was beautiful- a splendid place carpeted with crimson, and crimson-covered
chairs and tables, and a pure white ceiling bordered by gold, a shower of glass-drops hanging in silver
chains from the centre, and shimmering with little soft tapers.”
The abuse of children and family members at Wuthering Heights cuts across the generations, from Mr.
Earnshaw's partiality, Hindley's animosity toward Heathcliff and in Heathcliff's plans of vengeance.
Also Mr. Earnshaw’s disapproval of Catherine (“bad-girl”) hardens her and, like many mistreated
children, she becomes rebellious. Despite abuse, Catherine and Heathcliff show the strength of children to
survive and forges an important bond between them.
The children – the Lintons versus Catherine and Heathcliff
“Isabella--I believe she is eleven, a year younger than Cathy--lay screaming at the farther end of the
room, shrieking as if witches were running red-hot needles into her. Edgar stood on the hearth weeping
silently, and in the middle of the table sat a little dog, shaking its paw and yelping; which, from their
mutual accusations, we understood they had nearly pulled in two between them. The idiots! That was
their pleasure! to quarrel who should hold a heap of warm hair, and each begin to cry because both, after
struggling to get it, refused to take it”
We see the contrast between children who have it all and are spoiled, and children that look through
windows at happy families and imagine themselves instead.
Catherine represents wild nature, in both her high, lively spirits and her occasional cruelty, whereas
Isabella represents culture and civilization, both in her refinement and in her weakness.
As Isabella Linton serves as Catherine’s foil, Edgar Linton serves as Heathcliff’s. Edgar is born and
raised a gentleman. He is graceful, well-mannered, and instilled with civilized virtues. But he also is
raised as a spoiled child, his refinement is tied to his helplessness and impotence. Heathcliff is almost like
a wild beast, an animal. He is denied education, is used as labor force.
Catherine’s attitude and looks before and after her encounter with the Lintons
The transformation that Catherine goes through is the beginning of her problems with Heathcliff. She
developes social ambitions, she starts seeing all that is missing from her life. She is pampered, teached to
behave as a lady. She is prepared to “sacrifice” herself in order to help Heathcliff too, by marrying up.
“instead of a wild, hatless little savage jumping into the house, and rushing to squeeze us all breathless,
there 'lighted from a handsome black pony a very dignified person, with brown ringlets falling from the
cover of a feathered beaver, and a long cloth habit, which she was obliged to hold up with both hands
that she might sail in.”

2. Heathcliff’s position before and after his adoptive father’s death.
Heathcliff enters the novel having no possessions, is not even given a last or family name, and loses the
privileged status after Mr. Earnshaw's death.
The two men – Heathcliff and Edgar Linton
After a wild upbringing and constant humiliations Heathcliff becomes a powerful, fierce, and often cruel
man, acquires a fortune and uses his extraordinary powers of will to acquire both Wuthering Heights and
Thrushcross Grange, Edgar’s estate.
Well-bred but rather spoiled as a boy, Edgar Linton grows into a tender, constant, but cowardly man. He
is almost the ideal gentleman: Catherine accurately describes him as “handsome,” “pleasant to be with,”
“cheerful,” and “rich.” However, this full assortment of gentlemanly characteristics, along with his
civilized virtues, proves useless in Edgar’s clashes with Heathcliff, who gains power over his wife, sister,
and daughter.
“He had grown a tall, athletic, well-formed man; beside whom my master seemed quite slender and
youth-like. His upright carriage suggested the idea of his having been in the army. His countenance was
much older in expression and decision of feature than Mr. Linton's; it looked intelligent, and retained no
marks of former degradation. A half-civilised ferocity lurked yet in the depressed brows and eyes full of
black fire, but it was subdued; and his manner was even dignified: quite divested of roughness, though
stern for grace.” (chap. X)
Catherine’s love for Heathcliff versus her love for Edgar Linton.
“If all else perished, and he remained, I should still continue to be; and if all else remained, and he were
annihilated, the universe would turn to a mighty stranger: I should not seem a part of it.- My love for
Linton is like the foliage in the woods: time will change it, I'm well aware, as winter changes the trees.
My love for Heathcliff resembles the eternal rocks beneath: a source of little visible delight, but
necessary. Nelly, I am Heathcliff! He's always, always in my mind: not as a pleasure, any more than I
am always a pleasure to myself, but as my own being.” (chap. IX)
Other oppositions include:
Hindley’s life before and after his wife’s death
At first we see him sure of his position, lord of the mansion, happily married, but after his wife’s death
everything falls apart. He starts drinking, gambling (he loses Wuthering Hights to Heathcliff), he takes no
interest in his son, or his upbringing.
The dogs from Wuthering Hights versus Linton family’s dogs
We see Heathcliff’s dogs raised wild, roaming around, bred for protection. In contrast, Isabella’s dog is a
pet, a companion, pampered. This dogs represent their owners, wild beasts ready to bite or small, spoiled
brats.
The two Catherines
The first Catherine begins her life as Catherine Earnshaw and ends it as Catherine Linton; her daughter
begins as Catherine Linton and goes on to become Catherine Earnshaw. The mother and the daughter
share not only a name, but also a tendency toward headstrong behavior, impetuousness, and occasional
arrogance. However, Edgar’s influence seems to have tempered young Catherine’s character, and she is a
gentler and more compassionate creature than her mother.