1. Setting and Atmosphere:
* Isolated and desolate landscape: The wild and rugged moors of Yorkshire create a sense of isolation and foreboding, mirroring the characters' inner turmoil. The harsh weather, storms, and bleakness contribute to the oppressive atmosphere.
* Ancient and decaying manor houses: Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange, with their dark interiors, hidden passages, and crumbling structures, represent the decay of families and the secrets they hold.
* Supernatural elements: The presence of ghostly figures, the constant references to the past, and the sense of an unseen force influencing events contribute to a sense of the uncanny and the supernatural.
2. Characters and their psychology:
* Driven by passion and revenge: The characters, particularly Heathcliff, are consumed by intense emotions, including love, hate, and a thirst for revenge. Their actions are often driven by irrational impulses and a desire for retribution.
* Dark secrets and hidden pasts: The novel is filled with secrets and hidden pasts that haunt the characters and contribute to the overall sense of mystery and suspense.
* Intense and brooding personalities: Characters like Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw are often brooding, passionate, and driven by their desires, creating a sense of unease and danger.
3. Narrative structure and themes:
* Shifting perspectives: The story is told through multiple narrators, revealing different perspectives and creating a sense of ambiguity and mystery.
* Emphasis on the past: The novel explores the past, both personal and familial, and its impact on the present. This exploration of history contributes to the gothic atmosphere of decay and the sense of cyclical patterns.
* Exploration of societal taboos: The novel delves into themes of social class, societal expectations, and forbidden love, creating a sense of transgression and moral ambiguity.
4. Gothic tropes:
* Doppelgängers: The presence of Heathcliff and Linton, representing two different aspects of the same person, plays with the gothic theme of duality.
* The Byronic hero: Heathcliff embodies the archetypal Byronic hero: dark, brooding, and driven by passionate emotions.
* Haunted by the past: The characters are haunted by the past, both literally and figuratively, through ghosts, memories, and the persistent influence of past events.
In conclusion:
By blending these gothic elements, Emily Brontë creates a rich and complex tapestry of darkness, passion, and haunting secrets in Wuthering Heights. The novel's gothic aspects are essential to its atmosphere, characters, and themes, making it a truly unforgettable and enduring work of literature.