Historical context AO3

Question 1

social and economic factors
-Inheritance law

Answer 1

Inheritance laws
- in favour of men and against women’s interest
-males have precedence over females in the inheritance of property

Question 2

men and women

Answer 2

Victorian women writers had been largely prevented from writing social or political criticism in their novels owing to their vulnerable position (writing in a male-dominated culture)

-the rural setting of Withering Heights can be seen as indicative of the position of women is isolated from culture and modern industry
(reflects Bronte’s own live experience)

Question 3

Social disruption

Answer 3

-possible to read Heathcliff as a revolutionary figure, a man not born into social rank but nevertheless contriving to bring down the old establishment of the two powerful house

-novel based on both American Revolution and the French Revolution