In Mid Summer Nights Eve, there are two different, contrasting settings, that are paired and represent their own themes which are polar opposites in their own respect. One of the settings, the Forest, where the mischievous fairies live; represents and contributes to the themes of chaos and disorder. Whereas the setting of Athens represents and contributes to the themes of law and order.
The same writing technique was used in Bronte’s Wuthering Heights. In the novel, there are the two different, contrasting settings of Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange. Each representing and conveying their own binary themes of darkness and storms, and lightness and peace. Where Wuthering Heights represents darkness and storms, Thrushcross Grange represents the opposing concept of lightness and peace. Both the physical characteristics and the characters that reside there are the driving forces for this opposition.
The settings very name being Wuthering Heights demonstrates the theme of storms. “Wuthering” means subjected to constant and strong roaring winds, while “Heights" merely refers to the hilltops that it resides on. The physical storms that “(rattle) over the Heights in full fury” (Bronte, 248). The storms are described as “A high wind blustered round the house and roared in the chimney; it sounded wild and stormy” (Bronte, 46). The characteristics of the Heights also represent the thyme of darkness and how “The narrow windows are deeply set into the wall, and the corners defended with large jutting stones” (Bronte, 10). The scenery also shows the misery of the house and how there were “a few stunted firs at the end of the house, with a range of gaunt thorns” (Bronte, 10). The physical depiction of the Heights shows the reader how dark and depressing the place is.
Just like in Midsummer Nights Dream,the characters of the fairies show the settings theme of chaos; the characters that reside at the Heights shows the settings theme of darkness. The characters that live there are very dark and harsh. One of those characters being Heathcliff, who is described as having eyes like “a couple of back fiends, so deeply buried, that lurk glinting under them, like the devil’s spies” (Bronte, 60). Heathcliff is a dark character who spends his entire life plotting revenge and causing others misery. He says that “I don’t care how long I wait if I can only pay Hindley back at last… I only wish I knew the best way. Let me alone and I'll plan it out, while I'm thinking of that, I don't feel pain" (Bronte, 64).
Thrushcross Grange, in contrast represents the themes of light and peacefulness. The house shows this theme when it is described as being a “beautiful, splendid place carpeted with crimson… a pure white ceiling bordered by gold, a shower of glass drops hanging in silver and shimmering with little soft tapers” (Bronte, 51). The scenery portrays peacefulness by being described as “the weather was sweet and warm, the grass as green as showers and sun could make it, and two dwarf apple trees in full bloom” (Bronte, 309).
Also just like in Midsummer Nights Dream how the character of Theseus, the duke of Athens, represents the theme of law and order that goes with the setting; the characters that reside at the Grange represent the theme of light and peace. The Linton's are described as having “light hair” and “fair skin” (Bronte, 62). The Linton's are a polite and respectable family, Edgar is a constantly being depicted as a kind gentleman.
Like in Midsummer Night's Eve, how the two settings are constantly being compared and contrasted, the two settings in Wuthering Heights are constantly at war with each other. From the very beginning of the novel, the reader is presented with the contrasting settings and themes. When Heathcliff returns after running away, readers can see how, as Heathcliff slowly starts to take over both settings, the theme of darkness and storms of Wuthering Heights takes over the light peacefulness of the Grange. However, in the end, while Cathy and Hareton find happiness together, and when Heathcliff dies, that is when the peacefulness of the Grange prevails over the darkness of the Heights and good finally triumphs over evil.
The same writing technique was used in Bronte’s Wuthering Heights. In the novel, there are the two different, contrasting settings of Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange. Each representing and conveying their own binary themes of darkness and storms, and lightness and peace. Where Wuthering Heights represents darkness and storms, Thrushcross Grange represents the opposing concept of lightness and peace. Both the physical characteristics and the characters that reside there are the driving forces for this opposition.
The settings very name being Wuthering Heights demonstrates the theme of storms. “Wuthering” means subjected to constant and strong roaring winds, while “Heights" merely refers to the hilltops that it resides on. The physical storms that “(rattle) over the Heights in full fury” (Bronte, 248). The storms are described as “A high wind blustered round the house and roared in the chimney; it sounded wild and stormy” (Bronte, 46). The characteristics of the Heights also represent the thyme of darkness and how “The narrow windows are deeply set into the wall, and the corners defended with large jutting stones” (Bronte, 10). The scenery also shows the misery of the house and how there were “a few stunted firs at the end of the house, with a range of gaunt thorns” (Bronte, 10). The physical depiction of the Heights shows the reader how dark and depressing the place is.
Just like in Midsummer Nights Dream,the characters of the fairies show the settings theme of chaos; the characters that reside at the Heights shows the settings theme of darkness. The characters that live there are very dark and harsh. One of those characters being Heathcliff, who is described as having eyes like “a couple of back fiends, so deeply buried, that lurk glinting under them, like the devil’s spies” (Bronte, 60). Heathcliff is a dark character who spends his entire life plotting revenge and causing others misery. He says that “I don’t care how long I wait if I can only pay Hindley back at last… I only wish I knew the best way. Let me alone and I'll plan it out, while I'm thinking of that, I don't feel pain" (Bronte, 64).
Thrushcross Grange, in contrast represents the themes of light and peacefulness. The house shows this theme when it is described as being a “beautiful, splendid place carpeted with crimson… a pure white ceiling bordered by gold, a shower of glass drops hanging in silver and shimmering with little soft tapers” (Bronte, 51). The scenery portrays peacefulness by being described as “the weather was sweet and warm, the grass as green as showers and sun could make it, and two dwarf apple trees in full bloom” (Bronte, 309).
Also just like in Midsummer Nights Dream how the character of Theseus, the duke of Athens, represents the theme of law and order that goes with the setting; the characters that reside at the Grange represent the theme of light and peace. The Linton's are described as having “light hair” and “fair skin” (Bronte, 62). The Linton's are a polite and respectable family, Edgar is a constantly being depicted as a kind gentleman.
Like in Midsummer Night's Eve, how the two settings are constantly being compared and contrasted, the two settings in Wuthering Heights are constantly at war with each other. From the very beginning of the novel, the reader is presented with the contrasting settings and themes. When Heathcliff returns after running away, readers can see how, as Heathcliff slowly starts to take over both settings, the theme of darkness and storms of Wuthering Heights takes over the light peacefulness of the Grange. However, in the end, while Cathy and Hareton find happiness together, and when Heathcliff dies, that is when the peacefulness of the Grange prevails over the darkness of the Heights and good finally triumphs over evil.