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In delving into the portrayal of outsiders and outcasts within the novels "Wuthering Heights" by Emily Bronte and "Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit" by Jeanette Winterson, we uncover profound insights into societal alienation and discrimination. These literary works provide distinct perspectives on the themes of prejudice, contempt, and the societal exclusion of those considered 'other.'
Bronte's "Wuthering Heights" utilizes a frame narrative, incorporating various narrators, including outsiders like Nelly and Lockwood. This narrative choice serves to amplify the voices of those marginalized in a society that seeks to stifle them.
In parallel, "Oranges" unfolds as a first-person narrative, granting Jeanette the platform to articulate the discrimination she endures due to her evangelical upbringing.
Bronte strategically places "Wuthering Heights" in a secluded location, positioned beyond society's bounds. Described as a "Misanthropist's heaven," the novel's setting accentuates the pervasive suspicion and threat associated with outsiders. This limited geographical world serves as a reflection of Bronte's own reluctance to travel, embodying a deep-seated mistrust of the external world.
Lockwood, the fallible narrator of "Wuthering Heights," encounters a hostile reception, thereby emphasizing the deep-seated suspicion awaiting strangers in this unfamiliar territory.
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His misjudgments and errors underscore his outsider status, portraying him as a bumbling intruder navigating the unfamiliar landscape of the Yorkshire moors. Bronte's integration of Gothic elements further accentuates the inhospitality Lockwood faces upon his initial arrival.
Heathcliff's arrival as a young boy in "Wuthering Heights" mirrors the discrimination faced by outsiders.
Despite being likened to a "lamb" and a "child of God," he becomes the target of insults and exclusion from his peers. Nelly Dean's dehumanizing reference to him as "it" poignantly highlights his unwelcome status within the Earnshaw household, a parallel to Jeanette's mistreatment in "Oranges" due to her Evangelical background.
Heathcliff's gradual degradation to the status of a servant after Mr. Earnshaw's death serves as a poignant illustration of his role as a social outcast. Hindley's insistence on Heathcliff laboring outdoors further underscores his lack of belonging in the supposedly civilized environment of Wuthering Heights. A Marxist interpretation of the novel draws intriguing parallels between Cathy and Heathcliff, both positioned as outsiders within the complex social and economic structure of the Earnshaw family.
Cathy's friendship with Heathcliff provides her relative freedom outside the confinements of her family's social structure, mirroring Jeanette's escape from religious constraints through her lesbianism in "Oranges." Both characters, while finding a sense of liberation in their outsider status, also grapple with the profound consequences of societal judgment and ostracism.
Within "Wuthering Heights," Bronte masterfully employs Gothic elements to intensify the inhospitable nature of Lockwood's welcome. Descriptions of "stunted firs," "gaunt thorns," and a "wilderness of crumbling griffins" in the opening chapters create an unwelcoming atmosphere, setting the tone for the overarching theme of outsiders and outcasts. Chapter 3 introduces a mysterious chamber intended to shield Lockwood from Heathcliff's "vigilance," yet, ironically, it subjects him to a terrifying encounter with Cathy's ghost. These Gothic elements serve to underscore the inhospitality faced by outsiders within the novel's narrative.
Returning to "Oranges," the mistreatment of Jeanette as an outsider within her school unfolds with brutal intensity. Due to her Evangelical background, she becomes the target of physical abuse, including relentless hitting and mocking laughter from her peers. The verb "screaming" emphasizes the brute savagery of their actions, exposing the harsh reality faced by those deemed 'other.' This echoes the recurring theme in "Wuthering Heights," where Heathcliff, despite being likened to a "lamb" and a "child of God," faces relentless insults and exclusion from the other children, branding him a "Gypsy Brat" and a "darkly ragged black-haired child."
Nelly Dean's reference to Heathcliff as "it" further accentuates the dehumanization of outsiders within the narrative. This degrading pronoun underscores Heathcliff's unwanted status within the Earnshaw household, paralleling Jeanette's mistreatment in "Oranges" where she, too, is dehumanized and labeled as "immoral" due to her sexual orientation. Both characters experience a form of social rejection that transcends mere exclusion, delving into the dehumanizing realm of linguistic marginalization.
Examining Heathcliff's lack of a defined place within the social and economic structure of Wuthering Heights through a Marxist lens, we find parallels with Cathy, the daughter "who does not expect to inherit." Both characters emerge as outsiders within the familial hierarchy, navigating a precarious existence on the periphery of societal norms. This shared status of economic marginalization creates a connection between Cathy and Heathcliff, positioning them as natural companions in their outsider roles.
Cathy's friendship with Heathcliff, while offering her relative freedom, inadvertently contributes to the unfolding tragedy within "Wuthering Heights." Similarly, Jeanette's escape from religious confines through her lesbianism in "Oranges" allows her a sense of liberation but condemns her to the label of a sinner and outcast. Both narratives illustrate the delicate balance between freedom and the unintended consequences that accompany the pursuit of individuality in societies intolerant of 'otherness.'
In conclusion, the exploration of outsiders and outcasts within "Wuthering Heights" and "Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit" provides a nuanced understanding of societal prejudices. Through distinct narrative voices, settings, and character experiences, Bronte and Winterson offer readers a thought-provoking glimpse into the challenges faced by those deemed 'other' in society. This comparative analysis serves as an invitation
Analysis of "Wuthering Heights" and "Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit". (2020, Jun 02). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/outsiders-and-outcasts-3861-new-essay
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