Wuthering Heights “Is the last paragraph beautiful but totally misleading?” Discuss.

Throughout Wuthering Heights, Bronte could be argued to explore violence, emotional torment, death and extremes of both weather and behaviour, a collective of elements which may be interpreted as far from “beautiful”. Beautiful to some may suggest a picturesque setting or perhaps tranquillity and peace, therefore Wuthering Heights set upon the hostile and bleak Yorkshire moors and portraying protagonists plights through abuse, alcoholism and sickness may be argued as a novel lacking in beauty. However, whilst it may seem odd, in light of the rest of the novels preoccupation, to end the novel with a passage describing calm and serenity it could be argued it draws to a close a turbulent setting and inhabitants who are perhaps in need of peace at last. The ending therefore may be misleading as readers may question an arguably simplistic and beautiful description considering the complex and violent nature of previous events. Nevertheless, whilst “beautiful” may differ according to interpretation and the tranquillity may not be in keeping with the novel, the ending paragraph through imagery may give a sense of resolution.

Bronte uses elemental imagery in the ending paragraph, which could be argued to suggest the protagonist Heathcliff is finally at one with nature. Heathcliff could be argued to be associated with nature and the earth throughout the novel, he is “wild” and like “the eternal rocks beneath” and his very name suggests he is affiliated with natural elements. Heathcliff could be interpreted as a natural force, much like the tumultuous storms that surround the Heights, he causes destruction in an emotional sense like the destruction caused by the wind that stunts the trees in the beginning of the novel. It could be argued Heathcliff’s lack of known origin may also suggest he is natures creation and therefore it may seem fitting that the novel ends with Heathcliff returning to the earth. However, the wind has now become “soft” perhaps suggesting an end to Heathcliff’s destructive forces, perhaps he may be finally at peace as he is at one with nature. This supposed reconciliation with nature depicted through the elemental imagery could be considered beautiful as the wind or Heathcliff is no longer causing damage but rather peacefully “breathing through the grass” which could create the sense of relief.

The euphemism for death “slumbers” could be argued to create an idyllic view of death which is perhaps not misleading but rather in keeping with previous deaths in the novel. Whilst death is perhaps one of the more Gothic elements of the novel which may have the conventions of pain and gore, it is often depicted as a release rather than a struggle. Structurally, before Catherine’s passing Bronte uses similar language to the last paragraph “softened…of the silent room” which could be argued is an equally “beautiful” description as “soft wind breathing” which could portray death as an escape into tranquillity from the hostile environment of Wuthering Heights. Whilst death is perhaps portrayed as “beautiful” through the use of alliteration, it could be disputed that “slumbers” has the connotations of a temporary sleep. This could contradict the notion that the ending creates a resolution, perhaps the “sleepers” are in a liminal state, an element of the Gothic, which could give an eerie sense of uncertainty to the last passage. The ending could therefore not be as “beautiful” despite its idyllic language and portrayal of death as it could have the sense of unfinished affairs, perhaps leaving open the opportunity for ghosts to roam the moors or perpetuate the notion that Catherine and Heathcliff may never fully reconcile or perhaps Victorian class boundaries may continue to hinder their love even beyond the grave.

Structurally, before the last paragraph the semantic field of degradation could be argued to be used frequently “decay”, “deprived” and “black” could suggest a lack of beauty, if beauty is defined as something physically attractive or purely aesthetics. This description of decay and a bleak setting comes just before the last paragraph which could be argued is more of a true reflection of both characters and Lockwood’s time at Wuthering Heights than that of “fluttering moths” or “soft wind”. As the novel can be seen to explore violence and neglect, images of beauty are perhaps misleading in the last paragraph, as physically the Heights lacks beauty as it is shrouded in darkness with broken windows and fallen trees. Therefore it could be argued that imagery of decay is a truthful depiction of both the events in the novel, as Catherine’s health declines and abuse prevails, and the setting of the hostile moors. Lockwood’s perhaps misinterpreted “beautiful” description that closes the novel could be argued as misleading, perhaps sugar coating the reality of Wuthering Heights now its inhabitants are deceased and the cycle of violence broken.

Bronte’s use of language could be argued to create a dreamy hush that clouds the novels preoccupation with violence, neglect and segregation, it may be seen as misleading as the beautiful image evoked is in contrast with the multitude of harsh and hellish images depicted throughout the novel. However, it could be seen as a final attempt at peace in an environment so devoid of such.