![Picture](/uploads/2/6/3/1/26311521/7682375.gif)
In this novel particularly setting helps you understand the symbolism of good and evil. Given the setting of the Heights when Heathcliff was in charge obviously shows the evil or dark side of the settings. When Mr. Lockwood arrived at Wuthering Height he describes what he notices of the place in Mr.Heathcliff’s hands, “wuthering” being a significant provincial adjective, descriptive of the atmospheric tumult to which its station is exposed to stormy weather… and by a range of gaunt thorns all stretching their limbs one way, as if craving alms of the sun… the narrow windows are deeply set in the walls, and the corners defending with large jutting stones.” (Bronte, 10) This gives Wuthering Heights a look of darkness and misery. It shapes the story and what led Catherine to leave the Heights to have a better life at the Grange. Wuthering Heights is also where Mr. Lockwood left, because of the haunting images he saw. Talking about the Grange it is the total opposite of wuthering heights at the time, symbolizing the good side of the two. When Heathcliff came back from the Grange he describes the house to Nelly, “It was beautiful-a splendid place carpeted with crimson, and crimson covered chairs and tables, and a pure white ceiling bordered by gold, a shower of glass-drops hanging in silver chains from the centre, and shimmering with the little soft tapers.” (Bronte, 51) Shaping the plot line and how Catherine came back from the Grange as a proper lady, since Edgar’s house was not made for bad manners. It led to Heathcliff falling out of love with her as he suspects she has changed personality wise. The last major setting change was when Heathcliff passed away and left the house to Catherine and Hareton. When Heathcliff died it was almost like the house was uplifted from any dark qualities, as Mr. lockwood noticed, “ ...I arrived in sight of it, all that remained of day was a beamless amber light along the west; but I could see every pebble on the path, and every blade of grass, by that splendid moon.” (Bronte, 291) It also mentions that the gates and the doors to the Heights where wide open as well. It shapes the setting, since Heathcliff is gone it’s like a bad omen is uplifted from the house. This also gives the reader a mood of happiness and how the Heights can finally be at ease from evil for Catherine and Hareton. So that they can live a happy and peaceful life. Therefore, many setting lead to plot development, and moods that characters have and the reader.
There is one specific setting I can relate to in real life, that is Wuthering Heights when Heathcliff passed away. Along time ago when I was around 10, we had an old couple living at the house behind us. They would always have the most beautiful flowers and had their grass perfectly cut every single day. They both were deeply in love as they would do everything together. A month passed and I looked out to see their back yard, only to see growing weeds and uncut grass. There was no more flowers as they were all dead, and I noticed no one left the house anymore. I asked my mother what happened, she replied that the old man’s wife had passed away. Around 4 months passed, and the old man moved away and I never saw him again. Even though this is the opposite of what happened to the Heights, it is still the same concept. When Heathcliff died the Height was groomed, as the old man’s wife died he grew to depressed to groom the house. It relates in how a setting can change so easily by a mood of a character or plot development.
Question:
Do you believe that people may have a mood by the setting surrounding them? Explain why or why not.