Emerald Fennell’s adaptation of Wuthering Heights, currently in theaters, offers a distinctive take on Emily Brontë’s 1847 novel, focusing on the intense relationship between Cathy and Heathcliff. This version makes several significant departures from the original story, altering character roles, removing key plot lines, and stopping abruptly after Cathy’s death.
Fennell’s Focus on Cathy and Heathcliff’s Tragic Love
Unlike Brontë’s novel, which spans multiple generations and explores themes of revenge and madness, Fennell’s adaptation centers exclusively on the passionate bond between Cathy and Heathcliff. The film concludes immediately following Cathy’s demise, omitting the second half of the novel where Heathcliff pursues a vengeful campaign against those who wronged him and their descendants, showcasing his tragic downfall.
Omission of Key Characters Including Mr. Lockwood and Hindley
Certain prominent figures in the novel have been removed from the film. Mr. Lockwood, who serves as the narrative voice and offers an outside perspective after Cathy’s death by moving into Thrushcross Grange, is absent entirely. Similarly, Hindley, Cathy and Heathcliff’s brother and a pivotal antagonist, does not appear. In the book, Hindley abuses Heathcliff after inheriting control of Wuthering Heights and demotes him to servant status, escalating Heathcliff’s suffering and shaping the story’s trajectory.
Expanded Role of Mr. Earnshaw and His Decline
The character of Mr. Earnshaw is given a more prominent and darker portrayal in the film compared to the novel. Initially kind, Mr. Earnshaw’s temperament deteriorates as his alcoholism worsens, resulting in violent behavior towards both Heathcliff and Cathy. His descent into addiction causes the family to lose its fortune, and he eventually dies due to his alcohol-related decline, which is a departure from the book’s portrayal.
Altered Final Encounter Between Cathy and Heathcliff
The film reimagines the last meeting between Cathy and Heathcliff, departing significantly from the novel’s version. In Brontë’s story, Nelly facilitates a secret reunion before Cathy’s death. In contrast, the movie depicts Cathy as feverish and hallucinating, imagining Heathcliff’s presence despite him not being there physically, emphasizing her mental and physical decline.
Changes to Cathy’s Pregnancy and Its Consequences
A central change involves Cathy’s pregnancy. While the novel introduces Catherine Linton—the daughter of Cathy and Edgar—who survives and becomes important to the story’s continuation, the film reveals that Cathy loses her baby during her illness. This elimination of their child removes a major plot thread involving the next generation and Heathcliff’s relationships.
Differing Causes of Cathy’s Death
In the original novel, Cathy’s death results from complications related to premature childbirth and her unstable mental state. The film, however, attributes her death to sepsis, shifting the circumstances to reflect a more clinical cause and reinforcing the tragic tone surrounding her final days.
Absence of Supernatural Elements in the Film
Fennell’s adaptation closes soon after Cathy’s death and excludes the supernatural aspects that Brontë’s novel famously includes. The novel features ghostly visitations, such as Cathy’s spirit appearing to Lockwood at Wuthering Heights, and local villagers reporting sightings of Cathy and Heathcliff walking the Moors after death. These haunting elements, which contribute to the novel’s eerie atmosphere, do not appear in the film.
