Social Structure is the division of people based on the social and economic status. The 18th Century Social Class Structure, is commonly mentioned in the book Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. The book revolves around the social structure of each character; and each character is treated by how they rank on the social structure.
The social structure of England was very complex, it was not based solely on the money but on the land owned and peoples appearance. The three main levels on social status were elite, middle and lower class. The Linton's would fall under the elite class in the 18th century. Since the Linton's had owned large amounts of land, had servants and dressed in nice clothes they would be of the highest class. The Earnshaw would fall under the lower level of the elite class since they lived on a farm, but since the had land and servants they would still be considered part of the elite. And Heathcliff would fall in the lowest class even under Nelly, because he did not have a job, family connects or land.
The importance of social status is mention and considered many times in Wuthering heights. One example of the importance of social status is when Catherine is contemplating whether to marry Linton she says, "Did it never strike you that if Heathcliff and I married, we should be beggars? whereas if I marry Linton, I can aid Heathcliff to rise and place him out of my brother's power" (9.99). Here she wouldn't marry the man she loved, Heathcliif, because he was not considered to be in the same class as Catherine. Another example of social status in Wuthering Heights is when Heathcliff was first introduced to the Earnshaws. Lockwood described Heathcliff as a, " Dark-skinned gypsy in aspect, in dress and manners a gentleman", this quote show the confusion of who Heathcliff is and want class he falls under.
Even though the social structure is important to the characters of Wuthering heights, I feel as a reader that Heathcliff was always above the Lintons in his status. Heathcliff gave a sense of superiority over some character like Hindley and Linton, even though he was the lowest of the social structure. Even though he was forced to work for Hindley and Linton stole his love from him, Heathcliff always got his revenge and was feared by the higher class characters.
As a reader, Do you agree with the social level that each character falls under?
The social structure of England was very complex, it was not based solely on the money but on the land owned and peoples appearance. The three main levels on social status were elite, middle and lower class. The Linton's would fall under the elite class in the 18th century. Since the Linton's had owned large amounts of land, had servants and dressed in nice clothes they would be of the highest class. The Earnshaw would fall under the lower level of the elite class since they lived on a farm, but since the had land and servants they would still be considered part of the elite. And Heathcliff would fall in the lowest class even under Nelly, because he did not have a job, family connects or land.
The importance of social status is mention and considered many times in Wuthering heights. One example of the importance of social status is when Catherine is contemplating whether to marry Linton she says, "Did it never strike you that if Heathcliff and I married, we should be beggars? whereas if I marry Linton, I can aid Heathcliff to rise and place him out of my brother's power" (9.99). Here she wouldn't marry the man she loved, Heathcliif, because he was not considered to be in the same class as Catherine. Another example of social status in Wuthering Heights is when Heathcliff was first introduced to the Earnshaws. Lockwood described Heathcliff as a, " Dark-skinned gypsy in aspect, in dress and manners a gentleman", this quote show the confusion of who Heathcliff is and want class he falls under.
Even though the social structure is important to the characters of Wuthering heights, I feel as a reader that Heathcliff was always above the Lintons in his status. Heathcliff gave a sense of superiority over some character like Hindley and Linton, even though he was the lowest of the social structure. Even though he was forced to work for Hindley and Linton stole his love from him, Heathcliff always got his revenge and was feared by the higher class characters.
As a reader, Do you agree with the social level that each character falls under?