The ending

[Four Legs Good]

And by that I mean the ending proper, not Lockwood deciding that he'll be merrily on his way after hearing a novel's worth of woes, haha.

I was just wondering whether people consider it an entirely happy ending or not. I mean, on the surface, it strikes me as perfect– an amalgamation of all of the previous generation's best qualities and attributes, since Catherine seems like the Lintons plus what one can only call balls, and Hareton seems like the Earnshaws plus common sense. I also think that Hareton's being named after the ancestor who built the house in the first place indicates that things have run full circle and it's a fresh slate for Wuthering Heights (albeit an incestuous one). On the other hand, it's still Wuthering Heights, and as such, I can't ignore the unsettling vibe that still lurks. I dunno, it's not something I can back up without actual constructive analysis, but part of me thinks that Bronte fools the reader into false security just like she fools us into making assumptions about Heathcliff.

(On a rather random note, I also found Lockwood's thinking he had a chance with Cathy the Second rather hilarious.)

So, thoughts, anyone?

[Alias10]

I also enjoyed Lockwood's assumptions, particularly the one in the beginning where he feels that he understands Heathcliff after having just met him. As to the whole fresh slate with Wuthering Heights, it was my understanding that they were going to move to the Grange. Wuthering Heights was doubled with the Grange showing the opposites of civilization and the wilder aspects. But I also don't think that they can be shown as opposites in the sense of good versus evil. Wuthering Heights had to have some redeeming qualities. Catherine pined for it....Unless that was just demonstrating how wicked she was. Any thoughts?

[PaulT]

I think it's interesting that Catherine (the elder) starts off at Wuthering Heights as Catherine Earnshaw, then moves to Thrushcross Grange as Catherine Linton. Cathy (the younger) starts off as Catherine Linton at the Grange, then when marrying Hareton, becomes Catherine Earnshaw at the Heights.

(Not quite symmetrical though as she becomes Catherine Heathcliff in between and probably wouldn't have stayed at the Heights once married.)

[Wilde woman]

I was just wondering whether people consider it an entirely happy ending or not.

This is a really good question. I mean, I don't think anyone would call it a sad ending, at least for Cathy Jr. and Hareton, who were portrayed as the most sympathetic characters in the second generation.

But if we take Heathcliff to be the protagonist (and I'm not saying he is), the case is quite different. It ends well for him in the sense that he fulfills his lifelong wish to be with Cathy again, at least in burial (and if we believe the rumors of their ghosts).

But was he really redeemed? I mean, the fact that he doesn't bother to stop Cathy and Hareton from developing a relationship is more due to neglect and distraction than actual mercy. On the other hand, he almost seems to love Hareton and almost admits it; he's the closest one to forming an actual relationship with Heathcliff. Also, the book never stresses a strictly Christian morality, but the fact that Heathcliff rejects all last rites and even messes with the burial...that's disturbing. Then there's the fact that his eyes are impossible to close and that Joseph thinks the Devil has taken his soul.

AND, if family is one's legacy, then Heathcliff's line is eliminated. With both Heathcliff and Linton gone, his bloodline no longer exists. Because he never bothered to contact Mr. Green concerning his inheritance, he has no legal claims anymore. Even his grave is unmarked and will eventually be grown over with moss. All traces of Heathcliff are gone from Wuthering Heights as if he never existed. Once Cathy Jr., Hareton, and Nelly are gone, few will even remember him. That IMO is not exactly what I'd call a happy ending for him.

Interestingly, though, it's Lockwood that gets the last word. He's the one standing over the triple graves at the very end, thinking how peaceful the place is. He, for one, thinks it's a happy ending and that the place is probably not haunted. BUT Lockwood is also a ridiculously pretentious and assuming man. Are we supposed to trust his judgment on this final call?


I also think that Hareton's being named after the ancestor who built the house in the first place indicates that things have run full circle and it's a fresh slate for Wuthering Heights (albeit an incestuous one).

Perhaps it's a fresh slate...but not for Wuthering Heights. If we believe the rumors, Wuthering Heights is haunted by Heathcliff's and Catherine's ghosts. Also, it's not like it's going to make a happy home anytime soon. Cathy and Hareton are leaving it as soon as they get married, and so is Nelly. I think the only one staying is Joseph. Hardly a fresh new start. More like a quiet, slightly haunted ending.


(On a rather random note, I also found Lockwood's thinking he had a chance with Cathy the Second rather hilarious.)

Yeah, but what I found more hilarious was the fact that Nelly put him up to it. When Lockwood visited Cathy and implied he could've rescued her, I thought he was being his usual pretentious self and misreading Nelly's words. But later Nelly actually confirms that she was desperate enough to wish their union! That was both incredibly funny and very sad to me.