Essays must be 8-10 pages (2,000-2,500 words) in length and follow MLA citation and formatting guidelines. Research Essay: For this assignment you are asked to consider a the topic related to gothic
Post a five-to-seven-sentence description of your chosen research topic by midnight. T ext: Emily Brontë, W uthering Heights Colonialism and race In "W uthering Heights," Emily Brontë subtly explores ideas about colonialism and race through my personal favorite, Heathclif f. His unclear background and dark looks make him seem dif ferent and an outsider . Heathclif f is called a "gypsy" and is described using language that has strong racial meanings. His character represents a feeling of being dif ferent, which shows worries from the 1800s about race and the ef fects of colonialism. His outsider status and unclear race make the spooky mood stronger . He seems ghost-like, challenging the strict social and racial divides of the Earnshaw household and the wider community . Heathclif f wants revenge because of the unfair treatment and social limits he faces. His actions go against the normal rules of society . Also, his change from someone without power to a rich, angry person reflects themes of being forced out and coming back, questioning the existing power systems of Thrushcross Grange and W uthering Heights. Brontë's depiction of Heathclif f challenges the existing ideas about race and social class, encouraging readers to think about how the story shows power , identity , and a sense of belonging. Look at how the details about Heathclif f highlight these themes and add to the novel's Gothic look at race, feeling out of place, and revenge. Plan: What I plan on doing with this claim is more or less of what I’ll do with the previous claim but get in-depth of how race was a big thing during these times, and what it meant for Heathclif f to be of a dif ferent race, how did that impact the novel? Why was that an element that makes an influence on this novel? Etc? Annotated Bib Gérin, W inifred. “Emily Brontë: A Biography”. Clarendon Press, 1971. Gérin's detailed biography looks at Brontë's life and the cultural factors that influenced "W uthering Heights. " This work explains Heathclif f's unclear background and outsider position to V ictorian worries about social class and race. By explaining Brontë's personal experiences and what she saw in society , Gérin helps us understand the novel’ s complex messages about colonialism and racial issues. Gillman, Susan. “Remembering Slavery , Again.” Caribbean Quarterly , vol. 61, no. 4, 2015, pp. 1–19.Gillman looks at how the ef fects of slavery and colonialism show up in stories, which can help us understand Heathclif f as a character af fected by race in "W uthering Heights. " Her study shows how being seen as dif ferent because of race and remembering the past af fect how people see themselves. This connects with the book's themes of feeling like you belong or don't belong. “Hanley , R yan. “Slavery and the Birth of W orking-Class Racism in England, 1814–1833.” “T ransactions of the Royal Historical Society”, vol. 26, 2016, pp. 103–123. Hanley studies how slavery , race, and social class af fected each other in the early 1800s. This article explains the background of the words used to describe Heathclif f, showing how they relate to people's worries about race and getting ahead in society . It helps us see how Heathclif f is influenced by colonial power and racism. Koegler , Caroline. “Follow the Hatred: The Production of Negative Feeling in Emily Brontë’ s “W uthering Heights”.” Novel: A Forum on Fiction, vol. 54, no. 2, Aug. 2021, pp. 270–86. Koegler examines how the novel shows hatred and bad feelings, focusing on how Heathclif f represents anger and hurt from being left out and treated unfairly . Her study shows that Heathclif f is a character who feels like an outsider , highlighting issues related to race and colonization. This also adds to the spooky feeling in "W uthering Heights. " Mardorossian, Carine M. “Geometries of Race, Class, and Gender: Identity Crossing in “W uthering Heights.” In Approaches to T eaching Emily Brontë’ s W uthering Heights, edited by Sue Lonof f and T erri A. Hasseler , Modern Language Association of America, 2006, pp. 44–50. Mardorossian talks about how race, class, and gender connect in "W uthering Heights," paying special attention to Heathclif f's unique position. Her essay shows how Brontë goes against V ictorian rules and social systems by using Heathclif f's change and desire for revenge. He is portrayed as a symbol of fighting against colonialism and class inequality . Heathclif f's character in W uthering Heights shows Emily Brontë's criticism of the social rules of her time about race and class. Brontë describes Heathclif f as someone who doesn't quite fit in and has unclear background details, as explained by Mr . Earnshaw is described as a "dark-skinned gypsy" (Brontë, Chapter IV). These descriptions of his race, along with his being taken in by the Earnshaw family , make Heathclif f seem like both an outsider and someone who upsets the way society is or ganized. W inifred Gérin points out that this description matches the worries people had in V ictorian times about outsiders from dif ferent races and social groups mixing into their established social order (Gérin, 1971). By showing how Heathclif f gains power through his cleverness and determination, Brontë challenges the usual ideas about who belongs where and how power works. Heathclif f goes from being a poor , mistreated orphan to a rich landowner filled with anger . This shows how being left out and treated unfairly in a strict society can have serious ef fects. Heathclif f's character in the story shows how colonialism has lasting ef fects and is connected to ongoing unfairness in society . His anger and wish for revenge can be seen as a reaction to being treated unfairly . Susan Gillman points out that in literature, the ef fects of slavery and colonialism often show up through characters who struggle with their identity and where they fit in. For example, Heathclif f feels isolated and alone. Heathclif f’s goal to break down the social rules that held him back matches the spooky parts of the story , making the overall mood even more disturbing. Caroline Koegler says that Heathclif f’s behavior and strong emotions come from feeling betrayed and left out. This also shows bigger issues about colonialism and racial violence in the 19th century . In W uthering Heights, Brontë uses the character Heathclif f to talk about revenge, fighting back, and the lasting ef fects of colonialism and racism. This makes the book a deep criticism of the social and racial issues of V ictorian England.
