Bronte's diction on page 77 helps to further the themes of mystery and suspense in Wuthering Heights.
The situation involving Catherine's "wandering to and fro" helps to foreshadow future incidents involving a shaky, unpredictable Cathy. She acts erratically, in both slapping Ms. Dean and in her self-torture. Both of these events seem random, however Bronte's description of Cathy as being "in a state of agitation which permitted no remorse" should have told the reader she was a little "off her rocker."
In the following paragraph, words like "fury," "violent," and "fire" all seem to foreshadow the violence that takes place later in the book. Cathy's fury at the relationship between Heathcliff and Isabella results in violence towards Edgar; which in turn brings a "fire" into her life in the illness.
In Wuthering Heights, page 77, Bronte lengthy sentences of setting details convey the dark, gloomy tone as well as themes of the novel. Bronte's intense diction and imagery of "the storm" that "came rattling over the Heights in fully furry" brings out the darkness of the setting. Later, when it is revealed that Catherine has been sitting out in the storm, the theme of troubles is revealed. The speaker asks her to come in, or is she "bent on getting your death?" (77). The theme of death is revealed in Bronte's dialogue.
Furthermore, the characterization of Catherine is revealed as stubborn. Although there is a severe storm outside and even "a bolt had fallen in middle of [them]," she stayed "standing bonnetless and shawlless to catch as much water as she could with her hair and clothes." This reveals that she was out for a reason and not even the dangerous storm could stop her. The imagery of the storm brings out the stubborn characterization of Cathy and the theme of death related with Catherine.
The imagery of the storm reflects the outbursts of Catherine. Catherine is in a state of "good passionate fit of crying" while standing in a middle of a storm in "fully fury" (77). The raindrops reflect her crying, and the thunder and howl of wind reflects her desperate search for Heathcliff. The weather becomes the extension of Catherine's character as passionate and fully of emotion. Also, the juxtaposition of "saints like himself and sinners like his master" emphasizes the heavy aspect of the conservative religion.
One of the most interesting aspects of chapter two is how Bronte continues with a cold, dark tone throughout the characterization and diction.
From the second paragraph of the chapter, she uses words like “bleak,”“hard,” and “shiver” to further the novel’s cold tone. It’s not that Bronte wants the reader to fell depressed, but rather that she wants the reader to feel the same way as Lockwood.
Two characters introduced in chapter two, Joseph and Cathy carry a very rude and cold demeanor. Joseph seems more curt than rude, but he speaks with a very condescending tone. Cathy is so completely cold to the stranger Lockwood, that the reader can almost feel it.
What I don’t completely understand is why Bronte suddenly shifts on page 7 to a more cheerful tone in describing the fire, only to revert back to the menacing tone immediately thereafter. Why would she want to give the reader the brief feeling of hope to only bring them back down ultimately?
Furthermore, the characters are interesting. Their ways of hospitality reflects them being Misanthropes, such as Mr. Heathcliff. Mr. Heathcliff as well as Mrs. Heathcliff are extremely rude people, thus reflecting their disliking of mankind. When Mr. Lockwood went to Wuthering Heights, Mrs. Heathcliff didn’t even offer him to have a seat but just stayed quiet. Later, when Mr. Heathcliff asks for tea, Mrs. Heathcliff replies by saying “Is he to have any?” talking about Mr. Lockwood. Also, Mrs Heathcliff snapped at Mr. Lockwood when he lend her a hand to help by reaching something which was apparently out of reach for Mrs. Heathcliff.
Besides the interestingly rude people, Bronte’s style of characterization by manipulation of their names creates suspense in the novel. Bronte’s style of keeping the characters in suspicion at first and later telling or clearing things out is a great way to add suspense to an already dark novel. For instance, Mrs. Heathcliff when introduced seems to the reader to be Mr. Heathcliff’s wife, although she is young. But later, the author brings up the fact that she is his daughter in law. Also, the suspicious young man in the room with Mr. Heathcliff, at first seems to be Mrs. Heathcliff’s husband and the landlord’s son, but later, it is revealed that Heathcliff’s son is dead and that the young man is actually Hareton Earnshaw.
There are multiple examples of irony in the closing of Bronte's Wuthering Heights. Heathcliff in the opening chapters is held against his will as a slave at Wuthering Heights. He knew the pain that it caused, and yet he holds Nelly and Cathy captive in Wuthering Heights against their wills. The ironic charge in "master Heathcliff's" feelings toward Cathy proves most disheartening. After all Cathy has risked for him, he believes the lies of his monster of a father, and forsakes the true love he feels for her. Nelly also notices as she comments that young Heathcliff has "forgotten all Catherine's kindness" (256).
The "ghost/exhaustion" scene also plays a big part in developing irony. After Heathcliff's love haunted Catherine most of her married life, she would come back to haunt him for 18 years of his life. Perhaps the one who wanted to die the most, Heathcliff should have taken Catherine's place in the grave. Why does Heathcliff get so angry at Catherine's haunting when he was the one who blatantly asked for it? These and many other questions regarding Heathcliff and Catherine's relationship will hopefully be answered in the conclusion of Wuthering Heights.
Bronte creates several ironic situations in the novel to bring out the plot. It is ironic how Heathcliff knew that Edgar Linton would die very soon and goes to Mr. Green, the lawyer, to occupy him and keep him busy while Edgar dies. It is ironic how he knew beforehand the actions of Edgar, right before his death. He succeeds in keeping the lawyer away from Edgar so there would be no chance of changing the will. Also, another irony lies in the relationship of Linton and his own father Heathcliff. Although being his father, Heathcliff hates Linton. The irony is that it is through Linton Heathcliff gains power and the Grange, but still he gives Linton no credit for it at all. He is so cruel towards Linton that when Cathy goes to him to say that Linton is really dying, Heathcliff replies by saying "walk out of the room and let me never hear a word more about him! None here care what becomes of him" (267). Heathcliff showed horrible treatment towards a son and a person who has brought most of the wealth to the family.
Bronte uses irony nearing the end of her novel to point out the charges happening. Catherine accuses Heathcliff of "Nobody [loving]" him (263). The irony shows that his enemy points out the flaw that could have caused all the grief he caused for others. His search for control over everybody ironically enough stems from his loneliness. Another irony would be Heathcliff suffering from "the sport of that intolerable torture" (265). Whatever the cause of his torture, the ghost of Catherine or his own conscience, he is finally suffering for the pain he has caused. Another irony is Catherine's refusal of Hareton's help because she would "never miss such a concern as [him]" (272). From her blinding grief, she refuses the help and only ally in the household because of this.
Through ironic situations, Bronte reveals the intensity of the situations or events of the plot.
