Haunting of Future in Gothic Novels: A Critical Analysis of Wuthering Heights and The Turn of the Screw

English Literature
Name of the student
Name of the University
Author note

A typical convention of gothic novels is haunting by ghosts or by the past. However, some of
the texts we have looked at this semester show not only the haunting of history but the
haunting of the future. Critically analyze the use these texts make of bringing the present face-
to-face with the time to come.
Introduction
The gothic genre of writing marks its origin during the time of the movement of the
romantic writers. The most popular names of gothic novels are Horace Walpole’s ‘The Castle of
Oranto’ ‘Dracula’, ‘Frankenstein’ and so on. All the novels have some similarities some way or
the other in terms of gothic elements in them. 1For instance, mostly the novels of gothic genre
build up in such a setting which generates fear and suspense. The setting always involve the
quite dark, scary and isolation. In addition, the characters of the gothic novels are portrayed to be
not fitted in the community and the society. However, certain works were there which violated
the classical norms of gothic genre. To be very specific, traditional or typical convention of
horror novels have the settings of being haunted by unpleasant past memories or by supernatural
elements like ghosts. However, as mentioned in the above some of the gothic novels also have
the setting contradicting the conventional setting with haunting of present. Such two novel are
namely, Emily Bronte’s ‘Wuthering Heights’ and Henry James’s ‘The Turn of the Screw’. Thus
the whole discussion will elaborate how the two of the novels brought the theme of haunting of
past into forth.
1 Gale, Cengage Learning. A Study Guide for" Gothic Literature". Gale, Cengage Learning,
2016.

Discussion
The gothic elements: jealousy, ghosts, love, revenge and greed are the some of the most
predominant themes of Emily Bronte’s ‘Wuthering Heights’ while defining both death and time.
There is no real hero in story of Wuthering Heights, rather the leading male character played the
role of a villain whereas the heroine played neither the role of leading protagonist nor the role of
an angel2. The main gothic nature is given to the novel by the love triangle of Catherine,
Heathcliff and Edgar. In the novel, Heathcliff and Catherine love each other but Catherine ends
up marrying Edgar as she says, “heaven did not seem to be my home; and I broke my heart
with weeping to come back to earth; and the angels were so angry that they flung me out, into
the middle of the heath on the top of Wuthering Heights; where I woke sobbing for joy”3. Even
when it seems that Heathcliff’s actions are cruel, they were driven by the love of the Catherine
for Heathcliff since she believes Heathcliff’s future can be secured if she marries Edgar. Hence,
the uncertainty, fear of future remained dominant theme of the novel which kept the readers into
complete guess.
‘The Turn of the Screw’ by Henry James in the meantime is a true example of gothic
fiction 4. The theme of horror and haunting of future have been established dominantly by the
confusing plot of the novel. As the story gradually unfolds, the readers left with questions than
answers; for instance when the governess says, “She offered her mind to my disclosures as, had
2 Moura, Caroline Navarrina de. "A walk with Catherine and Jane: the exposure of gothic conventions in Emily
Brontë’s Wuthering Heights and Charlotte Brontë’s Jane
3 Haijuan, F. U. "An Interpretation of Emily Bronte’s Gothic Complex in Wuthering
Heights." Studies in Literature and Language 6, no. 3 (2013): 53-59.
4 Karafilis, Maria. "Dead Women Talking: Figures of Injustice in American Literature, by Brian
Norman: The Johns Hopkins UP, 2013." (2017): 852-854.

I wished to mix a witch’s broth and propose it with assurance, she would have held out a large
clean saucepan.”5. The major element contributing to that is nothing but the element of suspense
which creates an uncertain feeling within the characters with a sensation of darkness.
Both the two novels can be seen the gothic component such as envy, apparitions, love,
retribution and covetousness. While envy is one of the most absolute overwhelming subjects of
Emily Bronte's 'Wuthering Heights', the characterizing can also be seen with both demise and
time6. No genuine saint can be seen in story of Wuthering Heights, rather the main male
character assumed the job of a scalawag while the courageous woman assumed neither the job of
driving changes nor the job of a heavenly attendant7. The fundamental gothic nature is given to
the novel by the affection triangle between the three main characters. The novel begins with the
two protagonists cherish love and affection with one another however Catherine winds up
wedding Edgar. During the course of the events, it appears that the villain as well as the hero of
the novel, Heathcliff’s activities are brutal and they driving force behind them are his adoration
for the heroine Catherine and vice-versa since she thinks that future of Heathcliff can be
anchored in the event that she weds Edgar 8. Thus with the lines “I wish I were out of doors – I
wish I were a girl again, half savage and hardy, and free ... and laughing at injuries, not
5 Ogden, James, Peter Cook, and Sara L. Pearson. "A Brontë Reading List: Part 8." Brontë Studies 42, no. 4 (2017):
351-360
6 Glasser, Rachel. Projections of the not-me": Redemptive possibilities of the Gothic within"
Wuthering Heights" and" Beloved. Wake Forest University, 2015.
7 Thornham, Sue. "‘Not a country at all’: Landscape and Wuthering Heights." Journal of British
Cinema and Television13, no. 1 (2016): 214-231.
8 Hoeveler, Diane Long. "The Brontës and the Gothic Tradition." A Companion to the Brontës 96
(2016): 31.