Home > Q&A by Experts > Literature >
Q

How does Wuthering Heights end?

A

The story ends when Lockwood leaves Wuthering Heights for Thrushcross Grange. He decides to stop for a last peek at Hareton Earnshaw and Catherine Heathcliff’s graves. They were supposed to be married soon.

Detailed answer:

Unlike most Gothic books, Wuthering Heights does not reach a notable, cruel peak until the very end. Instead, its pressure is dissolved as Heathcliff’s internal clash dissipates. His attachment to Catherine is destroying his thirst for retribution. The novel’s joyous conclusion cannot be imagined before Heathcliff’s end. Its impact is less compromising in earlier days, though. Hence, his death is certainly not an unexpected event in the book.

Over time, Heathcliff still felt increasingly focused on his dead lover. He could not concentrate on anything else because he saw signs of her everywhere. He started to talk to her ghost and realized his death was around the corner. Heathcliff also understood that Nelly was not there. That climatic night that a reader has never seen or heard about became critical for him. Since he rejected all strict beliefs about eternity, Heathcliff did not worry about death.

The author often contrasted Heathcliff with the devil and thought of him as an evil creature. However, he was not a religious person at all. Thus, he did not believe in Satan or hell. His parents’ forced spiritual nurturing made him change his thoughts about faith. He did not believe in paradise’s existence. His lack of strict self-confidence caused Heathcliff to refuse Nelly’s permission to Christianize his care, requiring a priest. Perhaps, for Heathcliff, the death must have meant something predetermined. In particular, his further reunion with Catherine.

Heathcliff readily waited for their reunion to take place only after death. Young Catherine and Hareton craved to live a life together till death separate them. Their mutual love and respect seemed not only to guarantee joy in the future. The couple also hoped to compensate for the previous mistakes and sufferings. Catherine once said a rude joke about Hareton and other people and later regretted saying this. She made up for her past sins, yet also for the mistakes of her mom. She acted similarly towards Heathcliff, however, without remorse. As for his side, Hareton was talking about the latest remodeling of the house of Wuthering Heights.

Finally, he is prepared to acquire the home. His name is cut over the passageway, recorded by his ancestors, the Hareton’s, over three centuries back. His title, carved on the entrance, and ownership will stand the end of the era for his generation. However, it also means that the new cycle for their descendants is to start soon. Finally, Catherine and Hareton all speak together to answer past questions.

Collectively, they appear to show all the best traits of their predecessors. They will agree with the warring clans of Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange. Catherine and Hareton are going to create a strong bond with each other. For the most part, they display the Wuthering Heights’ strength and enthusiasm without their endless power. Besides, Catherine and Hareton represent the grace and solicitude of Thrushcross Grange free of its vanity. They are united by the potency of devotion and will be filled with joy, love, and hope.

Answer's rating:
Updated:
Ask your Question
(We won’t publish it)
Cite This page
You're welcome to use this expert's answer in your assignment. Be sure to cite it correctly

Reference

IvyPanda. (2024, August 21). How does Wuthering Heights end? https://ivypanda.com/q/how-does-wuthering-heights-end/

Work Cited

"How does Wuthering Heights end?" IvyPanda, 21 Aug. 2024, ivypanda.com/q/how-does-wuthering-heights-end/.

References

IvyPanda. (2024) 'How does Wuthering Heights end'. 21 August.

References

IvyPanda. 2024. "How does Wuthering Heights end?" August 21, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/q/how-does-wuthering-heights-end/.

1. IvyPanda. "How does Wuthering Heights end?" August 21, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/q/how-does-wuthering-heights-end/.


Bibliography


IvyPanda. "How does Wuthering Heights end?" August 21, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/q/how-does-wuthering-heights-end/.

Privacy Settings

IvyPanda uses cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience, enabling functionalities such as:

  • Basic site functions
  • Ensuring secure, safe transactions
  • Secure account login
  • Remembering account, browser, and regional preferences
  • Remembering privacy and security settings
  • Analyzing site traffic and usage
  • Personalized search, content, and recommendations
  • Displaying relevant, targeted ads on and off IvyPanda

Please refer to IvyPanda's Cookies Policy and Privacy Policy for detailed information.

Required Cookies & Technologies
Always active

Certain technologies we use are essential for critical functions such as security and site integrity, account authentication, security and privacy preferences, internal site usage and maintenance data, and ensuring the site operates correctly for browsing and transactions.

Site Customization

Cookies and similar technologies are used to enhance your experience by:

  • Remembering general and regional preferences
  • Personalizing content, search, recommendations, and offers

Some functions, such as personalized recommendations, account preferences, or localization, may not work correctly without these technologies. For more details, please refer to IvyPanda's Cookies Policy.

Personalized Advertising

To enable personalized advertising (such as interest-based ads), we may share your data with our marketing and advertising partners using cookies and other technologies. These partners may have their own information collected about you. Turning off the personalized advertising setting won't stop you from seeing IvyPanda ads, but it may make the ads you see less relevant or more repetitive.

Personalized advertising may be considered a "sale" or "sharing" of the information under California and other state privacy laws, and you may have the right to opt out. Turning off personalized advertising allows you to exercise your right to opt out. Learn more in IvyPanda's Cookies Policy and Privacy Policy.