VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, HANOI
UNIVERSITY OF LANGUAGES AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES
FACULTY OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHER EDUCATION
PHẠM THỊ LỤA
THE EFFECT OF LIVING CIRCUMSTANCE ON CHARACTERS( HEATHCLIFF,
CATHERINE AND YOUNG CATHERINE) IN WUTHERING HEIGHTS BY
EMILY BRONTE
Hanoi, May, 2014
VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, HANOI
UNIVERSITY OF LANGUAGES AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES
FACULTY OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHER EDUCATION
PHẠM THỊ LỤA
THE EFFECT OF LIVING CIRCUMSTANCE ON CHARACTERS( HEATHCLIFF,
CATHERINE AND YOUNG CATHERINE) IN WUTHERING HEIGHTS BY
EMILY BRONTE
Hanoi, May, 2014
2
TRƯỜNG ĐẠI HỌC QUỐC GIA HÀ NỘI
TRƯỜNG ĐẠI HỌC NGOẠI NGỮ
KHOA SƯ PHẠM TIẾNG ANH
KHOA NGÔN NGỮ VÀ VĂN HÓA CÁC NƯỚC NÓI TIẾNG ANH
KHÓA LUẬN TỐT NGHIỆP
SỰ ẢNH HƯỞNG CỦA MÔI TRƯỜNG SỐNG TỚI NHÂN VẬT ( HEATHCLIFF,
CATHERINE AND YOUNG CATHERINE) TRONG TÁC PHẨM WUTHERING
HEIGHTS CỦA EMILY BRONTE
GIÁO VIÊN HƯỚNG DẪN: NGUYỄN THỊ THƠM THƠM
SINH VIÊN : PHẠM THỊ LỤA
KHÓA : QH.2010.F1.E13
HÀ NỘI, THÁNG 5, 2014
3
ACCEPTANCE

living circumstance on characters. First, the background for the study will be provided with some
terms related to living circumstance, novel as well as information of the author Emily Bronte and
Wuthering Heights particularly. Secondly, the next part will be a development of the
contribution of living circumstance on some protagonists of Wuthering Heights based on the
terms mentioned before. Finally, the researcher will summarize the outcomes and give out some
limitations of the study together with suggestions for further studies.
The researcher hopes that the thesis will be meaningful for those who are interested in the
book and that it will provide the foundation for future related studies.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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PART 1: INTRODUCTION
This first part of the study includes rationale of the study, the aims, objectives, significance,
scope and methodology of the study. In addition, organization of the study will also be stated in
order to help readers follow the thesis easier.
1. Rationale of the study
“Wuthering Heights” is the only novel written by Emily Bronte in the late of Romanticism.
It is considered to be one of the masterpieces after Emily’s death in 1848. According to Fred
Langman, “Wuthering Heights is a novel of genius” (approaches to the novel, 1966). It reveals
one aspect of Emily’s life. Sandra Gilbert and Susan Gubar note in The Madwoman in the Attic,
“a woman writer must examine, assimilate, and transcend the extreme images of “angle” and
monster” which male authors have generated for her” (p. 596). Moreover, they believe that:
‘For all literary artists, of course, self-definition necessarily precedes self-assertion: the creative
“I AM’ cannot be uttered if the “I” know not what it is. But for the female artist the essential
process of self-definition is complicated by all those patriarchal definitions that intervene
between herself and herself’ (p. 569).
Therefore, up to now, there have been many discoveries from time to time. Although it
was written in the Romantic style, it still reflected England’s society during Victoria era.
All over the world, there are so many aspects of Wuthering Heights for investigation. According
to Anne Williams in Natural Supernaturalism in Wuthering Heights, “Wuthering Heights –

However, people who originate from lower circumstance seem to be poor and wild. Both living
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conditions are very different from each other because they indicate two different types of class.
One side is very rich but the other side is very poor. In this novel, Heathcliff, Catherine and
young Catherine all belong to both living conditions. Their living circumstances are changing
from time to time. As a result, their spirit, personalities and behaviors also change, which is to be
analyzed to set up the helpful thesis.
2. Aims and objectives of the study
Wuthering Heights written by Emily Bronte is one of the most well-known novels of the
English literature in the eighteen century. Because of being a famous novel, there must be
misunderstanding of Wuthering Heights. I take a decision to investigate on the contribution of
living circumstance on characters to gain deep understanding of its characters.
Moreover, the researcher conducts this research with the aim of developing
understanding English literature in the eighteen century and fulfilling my passion of literature.
3. Background and significance of the study
3.1. Background of the study
Wuthering Heights is a priceless masterpiece of English literature. This work is one of
the most priceless masterpieces of English literature. There are so many works analyzing it.
Heathcliff, Catherine and young Catherine are the strong characters to build up this novel. These
characters are affected strongly by Romanticism and society. This study is analyzing the
changing of three characters beside the effect of living circumstance on them.
3.2. Significance of the study
The thesis is going to discover and analyze the contribution of living circumstance to
some protagonists. It is going to unveil the reasons why the protagonists’ personalities change a
lot from time to time and the difference between their behaviors and thoughts. For example,
when living in the Wuthering Heights, Catherine seems to be a wild girl, whereas when she
comes back from Thrushcross, “her manners much improved” (p. 44). In addition, “The mistress
visited her often in the interval, and commenced her plan of reform by trying to raise her self-
respect with fine clothes and flattery, which she took readily; so that, instead of a wild, hatless
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In addition, the thesis will support third year students to have more information for their
comprehension.
4. The scope of the study
It can be seen that Wuthering Heights mentions about changing of characters in many
aspects. Therefore the researcher determines to focus on three protagonists including Heathcliff,
Catherine and young Catherine who are considered to be the strongest characters in the novel.
This study will concentrate on the changing of living circumstance on them to discover the
reasons of changing in thought and behaviors.
5. Research methodology
To conduct the survey, the researcher must read various works not only related to
“Wuthering Heights” but also works related to other issues including classes in England during
that period of time. Besides that, her thesis includes some issues mentioning psychology,
behavior and living circumstances. Therefore, she must read some researches about these items
to make comprehension of them. Having adequate knowledge and information helps her to carry
out this research more easily.
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In order to achieve the aim, the sources used must be reliable and informative. The
researcher must refer to documents in the University library and also Internet sources as well as
the documents provided by supervisor.
6. Organization of the paper
The thesis paper consists of three parts:
Part 1: Introduction. This provides an overview of the thesis including the rationale, aims,
significance, scope, methodology and organization of the paper.
Part 2: Development. It consists of three chapters:
Chapter 1: Literature review. This chapter provides all substantive findings as well as theoretical
and methodological contributions to the thesis.
Chapter 2: An Overview of the author and the novel. Brief introduction of the author and the
novel are included in this chapter.
Chapter 3: Discussion on living circumstance in Wuthering Heights and its effect on characters.
This is the main focus of the thesis. This chapter is designed to investigate the changes of living

easily. Most of novels are created to define their setting or in other words, to reflect their society.
One aspect of Wuthering Heights reveals the society contains it. It is realized as a disordered and
complex society.
1.2. Picture of class in eighteen and nineteenth century in Wuthering Heights
Penelope J. Corfield views “class” as “a powerful organizing concept” (1970, p.103). In
my viewpoint, “class” is defined to classify different living conditions among people. It is
created as well as used by people to distinguish between the rich and the poor. In Wuthering
Heights, “class” is taken advantage of to classify the differences between characters by Emily
Bronte.
1.2.1. Living as aristocracy class in eighteen and nineteenth century society
Aristocracy class is considered to be the highest social class in the society. People in
aristocracy class usually possess hereditary titles. They have much power. Moreover, they have a
lot of land as well as waiters and money. Their life is like a dream which seems to be very easy.
Edgar family is one sample of aristocracy class. As Penelope J. Corfield mentioned in Class in
eighteen-century Britain (1970, p.103), “a well- ordered sequence of ranks and degrees in human
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society [is] deemed part of a divinely ordained hierarchy that embraced the whole of creation.”
As a result, their behaviors are very different from Catherine and particularly from Heathcliff.
1.2.2. Living as middle and working classes in the eighteenth and nineteenth century society
In this part, the middle class and the working class are going to be analyzed. The middle
class including people who have a few land, waiters and power as well. They have an easy life
but not better than aristocracy class. They have power. The Earnshaw is one sample of middle
class. They owe Wuthering Heights. They have enough money to make ends meet in their life.
Catherine and Hindley are children originated from middle class. They are a little wild and a
little naughty.
In terms of working classes, it is considered to be “a descriptive term” (Thompson, 1963,
p.9). Thompson also assumes that, “there were tailors here and weavers there, and together they
make up the working classes” (p.8). The working class belongs to people who work for the
middle class and also aristocracy class. They owe nothing. Most of them are waiters likes Dean
in Earnshaw family. Some of them are wandering in the street and have no place to go like

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of a particular novel or play often depends as much on our sense of a particular character as on
the ingenuities of the plot.”
Flat characters are extremely different from round characters. Flat characters possess
simple characteristics and round characters possess complex characteristics. Kelley Griffith
thought, “Flat characters have only one or two personality traits and are easily recognizable as
stereotypes” (2010, p.54). Nevertheless, “round characters have multiple personality traits and
therefore resemble real people (ibid).” In addition, “[round characters] are much harder to
understand and describe than flat characters (ibid).”
Like flat and round characters, static and dynamic characters are very different. Static
characters “remain the same thought (ibid)” while dynamic characters change their thought. It
can be seen that flat characters are usually static characters and round characters tend to be
dynamic characters.
In Wuthering Heights, Dean, Edgar, Isabella, Hindley are flat characters whereas
Catherine, Heathcliff and young Catherine are round characters.
1.3.2. Reaction toward the living circumstances (the effect of living circumstance on people)
Facing different living circumstances, people are likely to handle them in dissimilar
ways. Based on this theory, various authors try to create characters with a lot of personalities and
behaviors. There are a lot of factors affecting characteristics and reactions. One of the core
factors is living circumstance. Living circumstances can change characters from thinking to
behaviors. For example, Heathcliff, one of the protagonists in the novel, he is initially a poor
little boy with no family. Then, he becomes one member in the Earnshaw family. He thinks he
belongs to middle class like Mr Earnshaw. As a consequence, his behaviors are extremely
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different from before. He turns into arrogant person. Everything changes again after the death of
Mr Earnshaw, Heathcliff comes back to working class and gets treated as a servant. His thought
and behaviors change again.
1.3.3. Belief of the characters through novel
Jonathan Culler states, “Literary works encourage identification with characters by
showing things from their point of view” (1997, p.112). The belief readers put on characters may

However, “in 1824, the family moved to Haworth, where Emily’s father was perpetual curate,
and it was in these surroundings that their literary gift flourished (p.2). The major factors in her
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life are the silence surrounding her life as mentioned in Wuthering Heights, a novel by Emily
Bronte. Her mother died when she was thirteen. In addition, “in June 1826, Mr. Bronte returned
from travelling with a set of twelve wooden soldiers for Emily’s brother, Branwell. Led by
Charlotte and Branwell, the Bronte children created imaginative stories, poems, plays, and games
about a magical world they created for “The Twelves,” as they called the soldiers”(p. 2)” It is
also stated in English literature textbook by ULIS, she “was the most reserved and least social of
the Bronte children”. Furthermore, “Emily never tired of creating stories about the land of
Gondal and its inhabitants.” Emily “preferred to be at home, and she helped around the house,
caring for father, and doing the finances and housework.” In many works, she had no interest on
studying at school. In other word, she preferred study at home.
“Emily became a teacher at Law Hill School in Halifax beginning in September 1838, when she
was twenty (Classic poetry series p.3).” Nevertheless, “her health broke under the stress of the
17-hour work day and she returned home in April 1839 (p.3)”
As mentioned in poetry classic, “she became sick during her brother’s funeral in
September 1848. Though her condition worsened steadily, she rejected medical help and all
proffered remedies, saying that she would have “no poisoning doctor” near her. She eventually
died of tuberculosis, on 19 December 1848 at about two in the afternoon (p. 3).”
In conclusion, there are various events both happening and affecting Emily Bronte, a
famous female author’s life. Bomarito Jessica (2006, p.1) iterates, “Although Bronte’s life [is]
outwardly uneventful; the unusual circumstances of her upbringing have prompted considerable
scrutiny”. Specifically, “although she led a brief and circumscribed life, spent in relative
isolation in a parsonage on the Yorkshire moors, she left behind a literary legacy that includes
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some of the most passionate and inspired writing in Victorian literature (2006, p.1)”. Agnes
Robinson (1883, p.69) concludes in “Emily Bronte” that “an old, blind, disillusioned father, once
prone to an extraordinary violence of temper, but now grown quiet with age, showing his
disappointment with life by a melancholy cynicism that was quite sincere; two sisters, both

Heights, now considered a classic of English literature.”
Wuthering Height is a moorland where the Earnshaw family, Mr. and Mrs. Earnshaw and
two children, Hindley and Catherine live. Dean, the house keeper, witnesses all things happening
in this family. When coming back from Liverpool, Mr. Earnshaw brings with Heathcliff who is
homeless. He really takes care of this poor boy beside the jealousy of Hindley. After Mr.
Earnshaw’s death, Heathcliff is treated very badly by Hindley which makes Heathcliff comes
back to his lower status. Catherine and Heathcliff fall in love each other. One time, they go to
Thrushcross to play, Catherine is hurt by the dog and cured by Edgar’s family who belong to
upper class. However, to become a noble lady, Catherine decides to marry to Edgar Linton who
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is of noble birth. Heathcliff runs away in the midnight. Time flees away; Catherine marries to
Edgar and has a happy family with his sister, Isabella. Heathcliff comes back with richness and
success. To take revenge on Hindley and Edgar, he betrays Hindley to owe Wuthering Heights
and marries to Isabella. Owing Thrushcross and Wuthering Heights, Heathcliff becomes richer
and richer. Catherine dies after giving a birth to a daughter called young Catherine. Isabella also
gives a birth to Linton Heathcliff. Because of being badly treated by Heathcliff, Isabella runs
away. Heathcliff takes revenge on Hareton, Hindley’s son, and Linton in Wuthering Heights.
Linton is very sick. Young Catherine, who is taught by her father, Edgar Earnshaw, grows up.
She is forbidden from going out Thrushcross because Edgar wants her to keep away from
Wuthering Heights. However, one time, young Catherine dares to go out. She discovers
Wuthering Heights and meets Heathcliff as well as Linton. From that time, she always goes out
and visits Linton in Wuthering Heights. Heathcliff forces her to marry to Linton. Edgar dies;
Catherine has to marry to Linton. Then, Linton dies of sickness. Catherine and Hareton live in
Thrushcross to witness the revenge of Heathcliff. Finally, Heathcliff dies because of the ghost of
Catherine. Catherine and Hareton fall in love with each other. Young Catherine marries Hareton
and they intend to come back to Wuthering Heights to settle down. The story is narrated by
Dean, the house keeper of the Earnshaw family and listened by Mr. Loockwood, who is so
stressed by his current life and chooses Wuthering Heights to take a rest. However, when he
hears about Wuthering Heights’s story, he decides to leave.
Wuthering Heights was written from 1845 to 1846 when English literature was moving