In her novel "Wuthering Heights", Emily Bronte contrasts the respective homes of the two main families in the book, the Earnshaws and the Lintons, to highlight the differences between their characters and social classes. Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange represent the two opposing forces in the novel: passion and calmness, wildness and civility, and most importantly, love and hate.
Wuthering Heights is depicted as a wild and untamed place, symbolizing the passion and unpredictability of its inhabitants, the Earnshaws. It is described as a "wuthering" and "wrathful" house, characterized by its rough and unkempt appearance, and the strong and stormy emotions of its residents. On the other hand, Thrushcross Grange is portrayed as a peaceful and orderly place, embodying the calmness and sophistication of the Lintons. The contrast between the two houses highlights the differences in the social classes of the families who inhabit them and their respective values and attitudes.
Moreover, Bronte uses the contrast between Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange to explore the theme of love. The love between Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff is wild, passionate, and all-consuming, much like the house they reside in. It is a love that defies social norms and conventions, and is not limited by societal expectations. In contrast, the love between Cathy Linton and Edgar Linton is calm, polite, and conventional, much like Thrushcross Grange. It is a love that is shaped by societal norms and expectations, and is limited by the strictures of their social class.
In conclusion, Bronte uses the contrast between Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange to highlight the differences between the characters and social classes in her novel. The two houses serve as symbols for the opposing forces in the book, and are used to explore the themes of passion and calmness, wildness and civility, and most importantly, love and hate.