Themes:
* Supernatural and the Unseen: Gothic literature often deals with the supernatural, and "Wuthering Heights" explores the boundaries between the real and the imagined. The novel features elements like ghostly apparitions, dreams, and omens that suggest a world beyond the tangible.
* Revenge and Passion: Gothicism frequently emphasizes intense emotions like revenge and passion, and "Wuthering Heights" is driven by the vengeful desires of Heathcliff and the passionate love of Catherine and Heathcliff.
* Morality and Sin: Gothic literature often explores moral ambiguity and the consequences of sin. In "Wuthering Heights," the characters grapple with their desires, betrayals, and the ramifications of their actions.
Characters:
* Byronic Heroes: Gothic literature features dark, brooding heroes with a tortured past, a trait exemplified by Heathcliff. His mysterious origins, brooding nature, and destructive passions fit the Byronic archetype.
* Mysterious Women: Gothic novels often feature women who are enigmatic, alluring, and sometimes dangerous. Catherine Earnshaw, with her passionate nature and tragic choices, embodies this archetype.
Setting:
* Dark and Remote: Gothic settings are typically bleak, isolated, and atmospheric. Wuthering Heights, the remote and forbidding manor, perfectly captures this gothic atmosphere.
* Mysterious Past: Gothic narratives often explore the secrets and mysteries of the past, which heavily influence the present. "Wuthering Heights" delves into the history of the Earnshaw and Linton families, revealing secrets and grudges that haunt the characters.
Atmosphere:
* Suspense and Terror: Gothic literature thrives on suspense and terror. "Wuthering Heights" builds tension through its dark imagery, eerie events, and the constant sense of dread that permeates the story.
* Symbolism and Ambiguity: Gothicism often employs symbolism and ambiguity to create a haunting and thought-provoking experience. The novel's use of weather, landscape, and recurring motifs like the moors and the windows, adds to its symbolic and atmospheric nature.
Overall, "Wuthering Heights" skillfully weaves together gothic elements to create a compelling and enduring story that explores the dark corners of human nature, the power of passion, and the enduring weight of the past.