Emily Bronte, author of Wuthering Heights, grew up in a time of very concrete gender expectations. In the mid-1800s, English women and men understood that their genders appropriated distinct behavioral notions that they were expected to inherit. For example, women were expected to grow up and aspire to marry accomplished men whom they would serve and care for. Women had very little space to express their opinion and were often punished physically or emotionally if they misbehaved in any way. The men were the workers; they earned the money that afforded property and food. Therefore, they had automatic dominion over their spouses. Throughout the novel, Bronte presents examples of these stereotypes, but also includes characters who break the premises of the stereotypes. It demonstrates that behavior is not an effect of a person's genetics; it is a direct repercussion of their environment. Bronte uses 1800s gender stereotypes, setting, and characterization to argue that gender does not define a person's behavior or characteristics; instead the environment does it. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Some characters in the novel do not fit the mold of their stereotypes, and these characters allow the reader to experience different behaviors from a male and a female. Of particular interest here are Catherine Earnshaw and Edgar Linton. In Wuthering Heights, Catherine is the dominant figure in all of her relationships. It decides who to love, very often, and requires constant attention from those lovers. Showing divergence from her stereotype, Catherine says, "'As soon as I know how he feels, I will choose between these two - either to starve, now, it would be no punishment if he had no heart - or recover and leave the country" (Bronte 121) In the mid-1800s, not only was it rare for a woman to have the choice between two men, but it was also very rare for a woman to threaten a man. Catherine doesn't just threaten Edgar; Edgar thoughtlessly took her hands to free him. In a moment one was torn off, and the astonished young man felt it applied over his ear in a way that could not be mistaken for a joke” (Bronte Catherine obviously not). she is a replica of the typical English woman of the 1800s, but Edgar himself is not the typical male. He is very worried when it comes to Catherine and, as Nelly observes, “Mr. Edgar had a deep-rooted fear of disturbing her humor” (Bronte 92).Not many men in the mid-1800s would have been afraid of upsetting their wives; normally the situation would be the opposite. Of course, the characterization of Catherine Earnshaw and Edgar Linton aids Bronte in her argument that gender does not determine a person's behavior. Additionally, Bronte uses Heathcliff and Isabella Linton to provide the reader with examples of typical behavior of men and women in the mid-1800s. Heathcliff is a violent man who uses abuse and mind games to get what he wants. He has no remorse for his belligerent actions: “He grabbed her and pushed her out of the room; and returned muttering, "I have no mercy!" I have no mercy!'” (Bronte 151). Heathcliff is obviously abusive towards Isabella, but his love for Catherine is also violent, in the sense that it elicits brutal defensiveness. “'I have meditated this plan - just to get a glimpse of your face - a look of surprise, perhaps, and a feigned pleasure; then settle my accounts with Hindley; and then thwart the law by having myself executed” (Bronte 97). Heathcliff uses heightened threats to make Catherine feel guilty for loving another man, one, 31(1), 1-18.