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Literary Devices
Definition of Allusion
In literature, an allusion is an unexplained reference to someone or something outside of the text. Writers commonly allude to other literary works, famous individuals, historical events, or philosophical ideas... read full definition
In literature, an allusion is an unexplained reference to someone or something outside of the text. Writers commonly allude to other literary works, famous individuals... read full definition
In literature, an allusion is an unexplained reference to someone or something outside of the text. Writers commonly allude to... read full definition
Chapter 3
Explanation and Analysis—Jabes Branderham's Sermon:
While spending the night at Wuthering Heights, Lockwood peruses the titles of some old religious books next to his bed and proceeds to dream about one of the authors, a preacher named Jabes Branderham. The dream (really a nightmare) is a satire of lengthy sermons by English Nonconforming ministers:
However, in my dream, Jabes had a full and attentive congregation: and he preached—good God—what a sermon! divided into four hundred and ninety parts—each fully equal to an ordinary address from the pulpit—and each discussing a separate sin! Where he searched for them, I cannot tell; he had his private manner of interpreting the phrase, and it seemed necessary the brother should sin different sins on every occasion.
Chapter 5
Explanation and Analysis—Joseph the Pharisee:
Nelly describes Joseph, lifelong servant at Wuthering Heights, as a "Pharisee," alluding to the religious leaders who hated, challenged, and conspired against Jesus in the gospels.
Unlock with LitCharts A+He was, and is yet, most likely, the wearisomest, self-righteous pharisee that ever ransacked a Bible to rake the promises to himself, and fling the curses on his neighbours.
Chapter 9
Explanation and Analysis—The Fate of Milo:
In Chapter 9, Catherine talks to Nelly about how she could never forsake Heathcliff, even though she can't marry him. In doing so, she alludes to the story of the ancient Greek wrestler Milo of Croton:
Unlock with LitCharts A+‘He quite deserted! we separated!’ she exclaimed, with an accent of indignation. ‘Who is to separate us, pray? They’ll meet the fate of Milo! Not as long as I live, Ellen—for no mortal creature. Every Linton on the face of the earth might melt into nothing, before I could consent to forsake Heathcliff.'
Related Themes:
Explanation and Analysis—Noah, Lot, and Jonah:
After a lightning bolt strikes Wuthering Heights on the night Heathcliff runs away, Joseph and Nelly both react with allusions to biblical patriarchs and prophets:
Unlock with LitCharts A+We thought a bolt had fallen in the middle of us, and Joseph swung onto his knees, beseeching the Lord to remember the Patriarchs Noah and Lot; and, as in former times, spare the righteous, though he smote the ungodly. I felt some sentiment that it must be a judgment on us also. The Jonah, in my mind, was Mr Earnshaw, and I shook the handle of his den that I might ascertain if he were yet living.
Chapter 17
Explanation and Analysis—Praying like a Methodist:
After Catherine dies, Isabella tells Nelly how Heathcliff has been behaving in his mad grief, ironically likening Heathcliff to a pious Christian:
Unlock with LitCharts A+There he has continued, praying like a methodist; only the deity he implored is senseless dust and ashes; and God, when addressed, was curiously confounded with his own black father! After concluding these precious orisons—and they lasted generally till he grew hoarse, and his voice was strangled in his throat—he would be off again; always straight down to the Grange!
Related Themes:
Chapter 22
Explanation and Analysis—The Slough of Despond:
One day, Heathcliff encounters Cathy outside the walls of the Grange and gives her a hard time for no longer writing to Linton (at Nelly's insistence). Heathcliff alludes to the Slough of Despond in John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress to indicate how unhappy Cathy's neglect has made Linton:
Unlock with LitCharts A+I presume you grew weary of the amusement, and dropped it, didn’t you? Well, you dropped Linton with it, into a Slough of Despond.
Related Themes:
Chapter 27
Explanation and Analysis—Cockatrice:
While detaining Nelly and Cathy at Wuthering Heights, Heathcliff has been talking about his son Linton's capacity for selfishness and cruelty, and Nelly responds by calling Linton a "cockatrice," a mythical creature:
Unlock with LitCharts A+‘You’re right there!’ I said, ‘explain your son’s character. Show his resemblance to yourself; and then, I hope, Miss Cathy will think twice, before she takes the cockatrice!’
Related Themes:
