Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights has been a subject of extensive criticism since the date of its publication in 1848, to the present. Throughout time its reception in different contexts has diversified greatly. To many readers of the nineteenth century society the novel seemed "shockingly inappropriate" and "Too vulgar." Modern critics have also had much to say about Wuthering heights, finding the structure to be a "complex collage" as well as "too complex" because of the constant alterations in narration.
According to an unsigned American review published in 1848, Bronte's selection in language is characterised by " Savageness and roughness." Throughout Wuthering Heights there are several instances where Bronte uses coarse language to depict the personalities of her characters. The characters in particular Heathcliff are rude and have constantly been referred to as "an incarnation of evil qualities." The vulgarity of the language is emphasised when Heathcliff says "I vociferated curses enough to annihilate any fiend of Christendom," which is an extremely powerful image for such a young child to use.
The language of the novel extends on Heathcliff's portrayal as an "an incarnation of evil qualities." Even after maturity, Heathcliff uses the word "slut" to describe Isabella. This is a shocking word for a man to use of his wife. This word further emphasises the rudeness in the nature of the language as well as Bronte's rebellious, individualistic character.
The vulgarity of the language is further exemplified through Heathcliff's portrayal as a misanthropist. Wuthering heights is overflowing with negative perceptions and descriptions of Heathcliff. Upon his arrival, Heathcliff is conveyed as "mysterious" and as the story proceeds he is described as "mad" and a "devil" in Isabella's letter. Lockwood comments on his "dark eyes," which portrays the supernatural feel which comes through about his image as well as describing him as "a dark skinned gypsy".
