Emily Brontë's 1847 novel 'Wuthering Heights' continues to shock modern readers, with Gen Z audiences reportedly stunned by its tragic conclusion. The gothic tale, which was originally published under the pseudonym Ellis Bell, has long been misunderstood, according to literary experts.
Clare O'Callaghan, senior professor of Victorian literature at Loughborough University, explains that the novel's lack of a clear moral angle perplexed 19th-century readers and still challenges audiences today. 'People did not know what to do with this book,' she says, noting its brutal cruelty and portrayal of semi-savage love.
The story's complex structure, with multiple narrators and a non-linear timeline spanning 30 years, adds to its difficulty. The upcoming film adaptation by 'Saltburn' director Emerald Fennell, starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, has prompted renewed interest. Fennell has added quotation marks to the title, acknowledging that her version is not a direct adaptation but her interpretation of the dense, complicated novel.
Despite being marketed as 'the greatest love story of all time', the novel is arguably more about revenge. Heathcliff is a tortured anti-hero, and Catherine is melodramatic and spiteful. Their unbreakable bond leads to a generational cycle of abuse, which may explain why Gen Z viewers are shocked by the tragic ending.
