illuminating thoughts on candles in Wuthering Heights

Although fire is a common symbol of life and purity, Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights intentionally uses candles to indicate truth and enlightenment in times of uncertainty. Secrets and sneaking around is set as the norm at Wuthering Heights right from the beginning when “while leading the way upstairs, she recommended that I should hide the candle and not make a noise” (Bronte 20). By telling him to hide the candlelight Bronte sets the expectation of secrecy and a tone of uneasiness to Wuthering Heights. With the light from the candle covered, there is no openness and Lockwood is driven to uncover not only the light, but also the truth about Wuthering Heights. Bronte also uses candles to represent clarity and to bring something into focus. This association is employed for Lockwood when “Mrs Dean raised the candle, and I discerned a soft-featured face, exceedingly resembling the young lady at the Heights, but more pensive and amiable in expression” (Bronte 70). The act of raising the candle simultaneously raises the tone of importance that this reveal has on Lockwood. He finally sees something beautiful and full of light in opposition to the darkness and confusion of the misty moors. The repeated use of candlelight and fire, especially in times of uncertainty, leads to not only revealing something like “the transformation of Heathcliff” (Bronte 101), but the changes that take place around Wuthering Heights. The transformation of Heathcliff is illuminated by candlelight to signify how powerful change and transitions are. So far, change is a growing theme at Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange to show the flexibility of humans and the world as one thinks they know it. Candlelight is controlled and stable, but it’s shape is ever moving and full of life. Because of this association made across readers, candles are used effectively to relay moments of change, enlightenment, and truth that juxtapose the confusion and darkness set on the moors of Wuthering Heights.