ABSTRACT

 Since the wide acknowledgment of Wuthering Heights by the talented female writer Emily Bronte in 19th century, various researches have been lavished upon the comparison between reason and passion, the theme which prevails in the whole text.

    The author’s romantic wish of a transcendental life through balance between reason and passion is expressed by displaying the entanglement of both reason and passion in the male characters while centering around Heathcliff. This paper intends to elaborate on the theme of reason and passion depending on the analysis of the characterization of the male. The study is conducted from the perspectives of the oppression of passion by reason in their youth, the resistance of passion to reason in their adulthood and the reconciliation between passion and reason in the end. 

    The conclusion is that, rather than pure reason or passion, the novel reflects the knotted entanglement of passion and reason. The violent passion in the text is able to be under control by the involvement of reason and the harmony of their union is achieved in the end. This fact that reason and passion are entangled in the male characterization creates such an effect that the prevailing heinous evil in every page yet does not disrupt our profound compassion and tears towards the male characters.

Keywords：Wuthering Heights;  Male Characters;  Reason;  Passion

CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ABSTRACT

摘要

Chapter One INTRODUCTION-1

1.1 Background of the Study-1

1.2 Literature Review of Wuthering Heights-4

Chapter Two THE OPPRESSION OF PASSION BY REASON-5

2.1 The Dilemma of Heathcliff-6

2.2 The Hidden Morbidity under the Disguise of Reason-7

Chapter Three THE RESISTANCE OF PASSION TO REASON-8

3.1 Demonic Love-8

3.2 Destructive Vengeance-10

Chapter Four THR RECONCILIZTION BETWEEN THE REASON AND  PASSION-12

4.1 The Destiny of Hareton-12

4.2 The Death Motif of Heathcliff-13

Chapter Five CONCLUSION-15

WORKS CITED-16