Embracing Change In Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights

Throughout literature and the events of one’s life, the actions and decisions that one makes often impacts one’s state of being and the fate of those around one. When facing new or troublesome situations, it is not unusual for a person to revert back to acting in a way that he or she would have otherwise done in the past. While clinging on to the ways of one’s past may seem the easiest option, embracing the more difficult path may be the more fruitful route, as only through embracing change can one experience growth. Thus, those who refuse to act to change their situation may become stagnant or harbor pent up emotions, both of which can be detrimental to one’s life and one’s relationships with others. In Emily Brontё’s Wuthering Heights, the spiritual reassessment and moral reconciliation that the characters develop over the course of the novel demonstrates that those who are willing to accept and embrace change will be able to grow and mature as individuals and will ultimately achieve peace with themselves. To begin, the proposed marriage between Catherine Heathcliff and Hareton Earnshaw demonstrates that only those who put aside the prejudices that they hold towards others will be able to achieve personal growth and happiness. For example, in the initial phases of Catherine and Hareton’s relationship, Catherine makes fun of Hareton for his attempts at learning how to read. When Hareton excitedly says to Catherine that “[he] can read yon, now” (Brontё 210), she