Binary oposite

Binary oposite

The study of binary oppositions in Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre has shown both interesting similarities and also differences between the two novels. It is clear that the times and the society the Brontë sisters lived in affected their writing. The Yorkshire climate and the family estate also had an impact. The wind whispering over the moors are audible in both novels. This was most likely a source of great inspiration when it comes to the gothic and supernatural elements in the novels.
The first pair of binary oppositions, master and servant, are present in both Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights. The times and the societies which are described are similar. Social position, possession of property and a good family name are things which matters greatly in both books. In each book there is an orphan, who ends up in the position of a servant to a wealthy master with a large estate. In Wuthering Heights the positions of the characters change throughout the book. In a way they change places. Heathcliff becomes the owner of Wuthering Heights and the younger Catherine loses her property to him. Heathcliff also becomes evil, in comparison to Jane, who remains the same sort of character throughout the novel. Jane and Mr. Rochester do not change places the way Heathcliff and Catherine do, but they move closer together. Jane inherits some money and that makes them socially more equal. Some argue that they do change places
In the binary oppositions man and woman, Jane Eyre contains important feminist features. Jane struggles to be treated as an individual. She will not be discriminated just because she is a woman. In this sense, Jane emerges as a very modern woman. Wuthering Heights is not a feministic novel as such, but it does take up the situation for women and children.
Catherine is above Heathcliff in social status and that controls their whole relation. Heathcliff is not discriminated because he is a man, but the treatment hurts his male pride. He often says he will...