Great Gatsby Vs Heathcliff In Wuthering Heights example essay topic

'The Great Gatsby' by F. Scott Fitzgerald and 'Wuthering Heights' by Emile Bronte. Compare and Contrast the writers' presentation of Gatsby and Heathcliff in their respective novels. Emily Bronte's 'Wuthering Heights' and 'The Great Gatsby' by F. Scott Fitzgerald are interesting when compared as they share many similarities; yet also differ on a number of aspects. In terms of form and structure along with other aspects such as setting, writers presentation etc, notable comparisons can be drawn between the two novels. However, along with the areas of interest stated, arguably the most appealing of the comparisons is that of the main characters of the texts. In terms of the respective novels in general, comparisons can also be noted.

For example, Fitzgerald's 'The Great Gatsby' is a short American novel written in 1925, compared to 'Wuthering Heights', a lengthy Victorian novel written in 1847 but set in 1802. As well as the difference in period between the novels, they also differ considerably in terms of setting: 'Wuthering Heights' being set in harsh Northern life, as apposed to the Urban life of New York represented in 'The Great Gatsby'. The novels also differ in terms of society and social interaction. This is portrayed bluntly by Bronte and is clear from such lines as 'completely removed from society'. This is a far cry from the dense social activity of West Egg conveyed in chapter 3 of 'The Great Gatsby'.

The novels also have a few similarities, which prove interesting when compared. For example, both Bronte and Fitzgerald, in Wuthering Heights itself and Gatsby's Mansion respectively have a place / setting in which key scenes and moments can take place. These being 'Wuthering Heights' itself in its novel, and Gatsby's mansion in 'The Great Gatsby'. Also, both writers appear very precise in terms of place and time. Another similarity between the two novels is that both Bronte and Fitzgerald opt for a prominent narrator, which in terms of writing techniques is undoubtedly the greatest of similarities.

These narrators being in the form of firstly Lockwood and then Nelly Dean in 'Wuthering Heights' and Nick in 'The Great Gatsby'. Along with the comparisons between 'The Great Gatsby' and 'Wuthering Heights' as novels, arguably the most interesting of comparisons is that of the main characters in their respective novels. These characters being Gatsby himself in 'The Great Gatsby', and Heathcliff in 'Wuthering Heights'. Similarly to the comparisons between Emily Bronte's 'Wuthering Heights' and F. Scott Fitzgerald's 'The Great Gatsby', the main characters in these novels also have a number of interesting similarities and differences. On the surface, Gatsby and Heathcliff don't seem to compare as parallels as Heathcliff is portrayed by Bronte as a ruthless, hard-nosed man.

This is expressed in various ways by Bronte, one of which being through a letter written by Isabella to Ellen saying 'Is Mr. Heathcliff a man? If so, is he mad? And if not, he is a devil? He is also described as 'wicked' along with an 'imp of Satan' and 'a wicked boy'. This differs from Gatsby in that he is perceived as a romantic, reserved character. Another difference between the characters is that Gatsby is eponymous in that he lends his name to the text, whereas Heathcliff, despite being the major character in 'Wuthering Heights', isn't.

In terms of similarities between the characters; these vary from financial status to their relevance in their respective plots / novels. Financially, both Gatsby and Heathcliff are particularly well off but we as a reader learn that they are both from are similar, poor background. However, this proves to be a difference between the characters as we learn how each acquired their money. Heathcliff, we are told has inherited his riches as apposed to Gatsby who is believed to have previously been involved in organized crime. Also, regarding their financial security, both are somewhat enigmatic and mysterious as to how they acquired their money. Another of the major similarities between the characters is that they are very much driven by love.

The issue of love is central to their role in the novels and throughout acts as the incentive to achieve their objectives. Their desperation for the love and the woman they desire is proved to be extremely influential as both characters show a distinct disregard for money in order to improve themselves both materially and socially. Although the issue of love is prominent in the lives of both Heathcliff and Gatsby, this is represented and portrayed differently by the authors. As far as Heathcliff is concerned, Cathy, the woman who he desires, is letting herself down by rejecting him. This attitude regarding Heathcliff's feelings is conveyed by Bronte through such dialogue as ' why did you despise me? Why did you betray your own heart?'.

This is maybe the main problem or question touched on in 'Wuthering Heights' that is continued and explored throughout the rest of the novel. Cathy and Heathcliff grew up together, Cathy being a passionate and wild natured character as apposed to Heathcliff, a miserable, violent and abusive character with a wounded heart and soul. The characters fell in love with each other at first sight and continued to keep each other protected. Bronte develops the pure, childish affection that Cathy and Heathcliff share for each other and develops this into something greater. However, when all seemed well, we find out a new acting personage- Edgar Linton, young rich nobleman, he attracts for a short time Catherine's attention. This symbolizes another of the main issues, which arise in the novel, this being the sociology of wealth.

Bronte enhances this topic greater through a conversation with Nelly Dean, as Catherine herself says when describing her reasons for loving Linton 'he will be rich' and ' I shall be the greatest woman of the neighbourhood'. Gatsby, as previously mentioned also sees the matter of love foremost in his life, although approached differently by Fitzgerald to that of Bronte's development of Heathcliff and Cathy's relationship. Gatsby's love interest in the novel comes in the form of Daisy Buchanan. Fitzgerald's approach to their love is very different although no less romantic. We learn as a reader that Daisy as a young debutante was extremely popular among the military officers, one of these being Jay Gatsby himself. Having met and fallen in love with Gatsby, Daisy promised to wait until he returned from war.

Again, similarly to 'Wuthering Heights', Fitzgerald conveys a distinct difference regarding social hierarchy through conversation of such characters as Daisy. This action represents the hollowness of the upper class. This issue is one of the major topics explored by Fitzgerald in 'The Great Gatsby', interestingly, as prominent in the novel as it also appears in 'Wuthering Heights'. More specifically, how the newly minted millionaires of the 1920's differ from and relate to the old aristocracy of the countries richest families. In the novel, Fitzgerald creates the settings West Egg and East Egg, both representing the different lifestyles and classes. West Egg and its denizens represent the newly rich, while East Egg at its, especially Tom and Daisy represent the old aristocracy.

Fitzgerald portrays the newly rich as being vulgar, gaudy, ostentatious and lacking in social graces and taste. Gatsby for example, lives in a monstrously ornate mansion, wears a pink suit, drives a Rolls-Royce, yet fails to pick up on subtle social signals such as the elegance optimised by the Buchanan's tasteful home. Along with Gatsby and Heathcliff's common ground in terms of their battle against the sociology of wealth, the characters also share a number of similar traits and fortunes throughout their respective novels. Another parallel between the subject characters is that they both die. Both death scenes are poignant in their own right although very different. The presentation of the scenes by Bronte and Fitzgerald is interesting to compare, as we are able to see how two powerful characters die in a very different way.

Without doubt, the biggest of differences between the deaths of Gatsby and Heathcliff is the fact that Gatsby was murdered as apposed to Heathcliff who wasn't killed, and indeed suggested on a number of occasions that he wanted to die. Fitzgerald and Bronte present these scenes very differently due to the fact that they die in a different manner. In Bronte's case, with the presentation of the death of Heathcliff, before he finally does pass away in chapter 20, he expresses on a number of occasions his desire to die in order to be reunited with Catherine. Bronte makes this wish clear during chapter 19 as the whole world seems to be memorabilia of Catherine to Heathcliff and for him at least, his death can't come soon enough. Fitzgerald's presentation of Gatsby's death differs vastly from that of Bronte's as in a quite opposite fashion to Heathcliff, Gatsby is murdered. Ironically, it's when things are looking up for Gatsby that he is killed as apposed to Heathcliff who has loved and lost at the time of his death.

The different writers presentations of the death scenes effect how they are perceived by the reader and hold some significance and influence over the lasting impressions of the character on the reader. For example, for me personally, despite not being murdered, Heathcliff's death is more poignant and upsetting than that of Gatsby. I feel this because of Heathcliff's great desire and desperation to in the development of the scene. The difference being that Heathcliff died a distraught man as apposed to Gatsby who wasn't in this sort of a state when he was killed. In conclusion, despite both characters being vastly different in the way they are presented, they share a number of similar fortunes regarding their health, wealth and love life.

I believe what's most interesting when comparing the two characters is how many similarities they do share. On the facade, they couldn't really appear much different in terms of physical and mental attributes. For example their varying social lives and contrasting personalities. However, their lives share a number of similarities.

This is interesting in terms of the writers' presentation because it shows how Fitzgerald and Bronte are able to shape to very different characters along similar life paths. Also, it reflects how influential the writers' presentation of the character can be in determining their lasting effect on the reader.