Supernatural Elements in Wuthering Hieghts.doc (original) (raw)

Spirituality and supernaturalism have always been topics of literary consideration, but there are specific historical moments when controversy erupts and new standards are put into place. In the midst of this disagreement, the Gothic novel emerged as a new genre of writing, and it directly addressed this highly contested topic. The realms of Gothicism constrained within the prose works of sisters Charlotte and Emily Bronte is a most fascinating and mesmerising domain. We do not habitually think of Charlotte or Emily Bronte as genre writers as such, but in reality, much of their work falls more or less squarely into the Gothic tradition. Their novels are full of thematic and symbolic references to isolated houses, gloomy, windswept moors, heavy atmosphere, and spectral visitations. Magic, mystery, and chivalry commonly form the structural basis for the Gothic novel generating integrity of feeling and depth, which makes the spectacularly Gothic more than just a stereotype in the works of Charlotte and Emily.