In the novel "Wuthering Heights," by Emily Bronte, certain imagery is displayed throughout. This imagery is usually more three dimensional than two, and on closer inspection reveals more to the story than on first glance. While this insight provided by the description isn't vital, it does help to flesh out the story as a whole by allowing the reader to make connections and create a network of similar imagery. One style of imagery that's heavily used in chapter ten of "Wuthering Heights" is nature imagery. Through the utilization of this nature imagery, the reader gains new understanding about the overarching theme of poisonous love.
An obvious example of this comes when Catherine becomes ill after Heathcliff vanishes. She departs to stay with the Linton's, and Ms. Dean explains that her behavior was exceptional. "It was not the thorn bending to the honeysuckles, but the honeysuckles embracing the thorn" (94). In the metaphor, the Linton's are being compared to the honeysuckles while Catherine is like the thorns. Through this, the reader can picture what a thorn is like. A thorn is painful and unpleasant, and if one's not careful they may be harmed. A honeysuckle, on the other hand, is pleasant and sweet. Likewise, Catherine can be a difficult person to deal with, especially when it comes to her mixed emotions about love, while the Linton's are quite pleasant people who seem always to be on their best behavior.
Also, the qualities of the metaphor are extended into the next paragraph. "I observed that Mr. Edgar had a deep-rooted fear of ruffling her humour. He concealed it from her, but if ever he heard me.and averred that the stab of a knife could not inflict a worse pang than he suffered at seeing his lady vexed" (93). Edgar loves Catherine and feels distraught if anyone demeans her. Just like the honeysuckle that pleases people, Edgar does everything in his power to please Catherine. Because of this, Catherine is spoiled to no end.
