It is no secret that English Literature students need to read dozens of different books per month. And many learners would claim that detailed and extensive descriptions of nature in Classic Literature are nothing but a waste of time. They will argue that in some cases, the whole plot can be condensed to several pages if such descriptions are removed.

We will not say that they are wrong. If you try to devour several sizeable books in a week, these descriptions might not bring any value. However, when it comes to reading for pleasure, every such part becomes symbolic and essential for the book.

In fact, in Classic Literature, nature is often portrayed as a character. The descriptions of thunderstorms, pouring rain, wind gusts, and other weather conditions were often used by authors to strengthen the message and highlight the emotions of the characters.

When it comes to Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte, the description of nature mostly circles around the landscapes. It makes sense since the entire story is about the family owning the farm and the land surrounding it. 

Therefore, there is no surprise that every Wuthering Heights summary mentions the symbolism of the landscapes.

In this article, we are going to study this matter in greater detail and decide on the role of the landscapes in the plot.

Symbolic Title

There is nothing more telling about the role of the descriptive language in this book than its title. 'Wuthering Heights' is the first thing we learn about the book, and it is the description of the landscapes itself.

It is the name of the mansion, though the area surrounding it is hilly and can also be called like that. When the weather is sunny, the landscape is beautiful and green. In this novel, 'wuthering' is used as an element of the provincial language to describe the atmospheric tumult to which the heights are exposed in stormy weather. 

Such a title helps readers understand that the story is about something dark. It is somewhere in a limbo between life and death. Sunny weather is a rarity here. It is always cold and humid in this area.

Acting Character

In Wuthering Heights, landscapes are one of the main characters. They are not less important than the people described in the book. 

Landscapes and their descriptions help in explaining the main idea of the novel. They are also used to assist people in understanding the main topic and interrelations between main characters.

Emily Bronte uses landscapes to change the mood of the novel, describe the background, and prepare readers for the upcoming events. 

Getting to Know the Host

If it was not for descriptions of the weather, nature, and landscapes, readers would not know the character of the main hero. 

The host of Wuthering Heights, Heathcliff, is described through the elements of nature surrounding him. Misty and cold landscapes are used to highlight his unamiable nature and sullen mood.

Also, when his beloved Catherine dies, nature is used to describe the changes in his soul. His eyes are compared with cloudy windows of hell, expressing how heartbroken this person is.

The atmosphere of cold, darkness, and blackness follows him wherever he goes. People who happen to visit Wuthering Heights want to leave the place as soon as possible. 

For example, Mr. Lockwood is described looking through the window and seeing "a sorrowful sight." There is nothing that could send a clearer message to the reader about the unpleasantness of the place.

Metaphors and Proverbs

An interesting fact is that Emily Bronte used descriptions of weather and landscapes to highlight the symbolism of nature in the novel. For example, Mr. Lockwood says, "if I had caused the cloud, it was my duty to make an effort to dispel it." 

The sentence literally means that he should try to undo what has been done. However, the word 'cloud' is used to express the despair using the weather elements.

Another metaphor, "sky and hills mingled in one bitter whirl of wind," is also used to explain the chaos in the soul of the character. The majority of other landscape descriptions are used to express the sorrow and darkness in one's thoughts and feelings.

Final Words

Emily Bronte, being a master of the word, skillfully turned weather, nature, and landscapes into separate characters. They are no less important for the novel as Heathcliff, Mr. Lockwood, and Catherine. 

Landscapes at Wuthering Heights can speak. They do this instead of Heathcliff, who is a man of few words. They help readers understand him and his mood. Moreover, the silence of the character is even more mystified when nature is used to describe the personality.

Landscapes can also speak for the love Heathcliff and Catherine shared. His sorrow is enormous, and nature cries when he passes away. At the same time, nature is reviving on Catherine's tomb, hinting that she finally found peace.

All these final remarks would not be possible if it was not for nature description. 

The above article was kindly written by Elizabeth Price. 

Elizabeth Price is a freelance writer interested in education, marketing, and business-related topics. A former Psychology student of Montclair State University, she is still an active learner eager to research almost any topic. Elizabeth works as a marketing and outreach expert at EssayPro. You can reach her on Twitter or drop her a letter to elizabethprice993@gmail.com.