Abstract: Wuthering Heights is a novel written by Emily Bronte. It received mixed reviews when published, but it is now widely regarded as one of the most important works in English literature. It was made into movie first in 1939, and since then there were several different versions.

This essay discusses the differences of the main characters between the original work and the film (2009). In the first part of this thesis, the author analyzes the main characters of the original work through details, and those in the film in contrast with the novel. The author finds out that the novel emphasizes the dark sides of the characters while the movie emphasizes the good sides of the characters. Then the author discusses the main differences of the themes between the novel and the film, and finds out that the novel stresses the theme of revenge, love and rebellious spirit while the film mainly shows the theme of love. In the third part, the author discusses the reasons why there are these differences. The personality of the author, the social background and the nature of the commercial film are the most important reasons.

Key words: Wuthering Heights; novel; film; difference; reason

Contents

Abstract

摘要

Introduction-5

I. Differences in Characterization-6

1.1 Catherine’s Bad Nature in the Novel and Her Goodness in the Film-6

1.2 Heathcliff’s Ruthlessness in the Novel and His Kindness in the Film-7

1.3 Edgar Linton’s Weakness in the Novel and His Toughness in the Film-9

1.4 Hindley’s Wickedness in the Novel and His Kindness in the Film-10

1.5 The Minor Characters’ Darkness in the Novel and Their Goodness in the Film-10

II. Differences in Themes-12

2.1 The Theme of Revenge and Love-12

2.2 The Theme of Rebelling-14

III. Reasons Behind These Differences-14

3.1 Reasons Why the Original Work Emphasizes the Dark Sides of Characters-14

3.2 Reasons Why the Film Stresses the Theme of Love and Weakens the Theme of Revenge-15

3.3 Reasons Why the Original Work Emphasizes the Rebellious Spirit of Characters-16

Conclusion-17

Bibliography-17

Acknowledgements-18