Wuthering Heights is essentially a romantic novel in which the author, Emily Bronte, brings together two groups of people with different backgrounds. A careful analysis of the novel reveals a key theme. When the reader examines the background and characteristics of the people of the two families, the Earnshaws and the Lintons, it is obvious that the two separate houses represent opposing worlds and values. Earnshaws are wild, volatile and strong while Lintons are gentle, calm and gentle. It's clear that Bronte pits nature against culture in this story, and this battle ends up being the driving force of the novel. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay While many of the differences between families lie in the characteristics of the characters, it is also important to examine the places where they live. The Earnshaws come from Wuthering Heights, an isolated place on the barren moors. Bronte describes the harsh climate and goes on to say that the house was built strong to withstand. "Fortunately the architect had foresight in building it sturdy; the narrow windows are deeply set in the wall, and the corners defended with large projecting stones." (Bronte 4). The interior of the house is described as nothing more than dingy and sterile. During his visit to the Earnshaws, Mr. Lockwood describes the house and says that "its whole anatomy was exposed to an inquiring mind" (Bronte 4) and that it was also inhabited by wild dogs who later, he says, "flew to ( the) throat, bringing it down” (Bronte 14). The turbulent climate and uncivilized lifestyle found in Wuthering Heights are indeed very different from the refined characteristics of the Linton home, Thrushcross Grange quiet. Bronte describes this paradise very differently than that of Wuthering Heights. When he arrives at the house, Mr. Lockwood describes the back of the hill as a "white, rolling ocean" (Bronte 25). quite different from the harshness of those used to describe Wuthering Heights. The Grange also has ornate gardens and is surrounded by trees. The presence of the gardens suggests a delicate quality and the trees act as protection from the winds that so fiercely threaten Wuthering Heights. The two Earnshaw sons looked in through a Grange window at one point in the story and said that the Linton house was "a splendid place, hung with crimson carpets, chairs and tables covered with crimson, and a pure white ceiling edged with gold , a shower of glass drops hanging from the center in silver chains, and glittering with small soft polishes" (Bronte 37). This retreat is the home of warmth, peace and tranquility. The window allows children to see the civilized lifestyle. Heathcliff exclaims that he would not exchange "for a thousand lives, (his) condition here, for that of Edgar Linton at Thrushcross Grange." (Bronte 38). Both children recognize the kindness and luxury of the Lintons' lifestyle, but remain enamored of their wild freedom. It is not surprising that the people who inhabit these places have characteristics similar to the places where they live. Like Wuthering Heights, the Earnshaws are tempestuous and tempestuous. Our first meeting of the Earnshaws is with Mr. Heathcliff. Mr. Lockwood goes to Wuthering Heights to introduce himself and is disgusted by the Earnshaws' "crude inhospitality" (Bronte 7). He is also shocked by the family's general behavior and says that "they could not sit every day so sullenly and taciturnly, and it was impossible, however bad-humoured they might be, that the universal frown they wore should be their daily countenance." ( Bronte 10). Nothe can believe the gravity of this group of people. It's something he's not used to. During his visit, the rigid division between the social statuses of the two men is extremely evident. Heathcliff uses his strength to mistreat other members of his family and is cold and almost resentful of Lockwood's presence. After his visit, Lockwood says that it is "surprising how sociable I feel compared to him (Heathcliff)" (Bronte 7). The reader later discovers Heathcliff's story. He was born in Liverpool and adopted by Mr. Earnshaw. He seems different from other children and is treated badly by his new brother Hindley. Therefore, combined with the attributes of the harsh family, he becomes evil and cruel and focuses on revenge on Hindley. He is described as a "gypsy", "a wicked boy and quite unfit for a decent home" (Bronte 39). He forms a close friendship with Catherine and they spend much of their time playing on the windswept moors. Catherine is as wild as Heathcliff. She is stubborn, spiteful and prone to outbursts of temper. At one point in the story she is even described as a "haughty and stubborn creature" (Bronte 51). Even after spending time at the Grange, he is never as civilized as he acts. At heart, she is still an unruly girl who plays on the moor with Heathcliff. However, the novel's most important conflict is the fact that Catherine longs to be both the wild spirit of the Earnshaws and the cultured and kind woman of the Lintons. Like Thrushcross Grange, the Lintons possess civilized and cultured characteristics. Isabella Linton is essentially Catherine's opposite character. While trying to explain that she is not envious, Catherine describes Isabella and says, "I never feel hurt by the splendor of Isabella's yellow hair and the whiteness of her skin; by her delicate elegance" (Bronte 76). The reader knows deep down that, in fact, Catherine envies her. Isabella is the portrait of a charming young woman, "childish in manner" (Bronte 78). Likewise, his brother Edgar is Heathcliff's foil. He is a politely raised gentleman. He is tender and possesses the virtues of a gentleman. However, he is also weak and effeminate. Nelly teases him that he "cried for mother, at every opportunity, and trembled if a country boy threw a punch at him, and sat at home all day in a downpour" (Bronte 44). Furthermore, in a later argument, he is called "lamb" and "milk hare" (Bronte 90). Clearly, the Lintons are very different from the Earnshaws. The Earnshaws seem stronger and wilder than the Lintons. The true conflict between nature and nurture does not emerge until the two groups attempt to converge. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom article from our expert writers now. Get a custom essay Bronte establishes pairs of opposites in this novel to show the struggle between nature and nurture. Catherine eventually marries Edgar, Heathcliff's foil, because "he will be rich, and (she) will want to be the greatest woman in the neighborhood" (Bronte 60). Catherine's internal debate about whether to stay true to her wild identity or build a better life by transitioning to the cultured life has been decided. By marrying Edgar, Catherine positions herself to “escape from a messy and uncomfortable home into a wealthy and respectable home” (Bronte 61). Catherine knows, in her conscience, that she has made a wrong decision because she dreams of being unhappy in Heaven because she misses her true home, Wuthering Heights. Clearly, by marrying Edgar, she is turning her back on who she truly is, a wild spirit. She is unhappy in her marriage and eventually dies giving birth to a daughter named Catherine. Her daughter is exactly like her, but doesn't have the wild features. It is not placed in the graveyard with.