Conflict And Integration Between Nature And Civilization

Emily Bronte was a brilliant female writer of the United Kingdom in the 19th century.In her short life,she wrote only one novel Wuthering Heights,which has become a world classic for its permanent charm and wide popularity and has established her position in the history of English and even the world literature.For over 100 years,academic circles have studied Wuthering Heights from the theme,characters,language style,etc.The ecocriticism that emerged in the 20th century has opened up an entirely new perspective for the study of the novel.Not only does ecocriticism focus on the harmonious symbiosis between man and nature,it also emphasizes the balance of social ecology between man and man and the balance of human mental state.This thesis,by adopting the tripartite division theory of ecologist Lu Shuyuan,will interpret Wuthering Heights in detail from three aspects of ecocriticism,namely natural ecology,social ecology and spiritual ecology,revealing the complex relationship between nature and civilization and the process from conflict to integration.Firstly,this thesis expounds that nature is an independent sentient being from the perspective of natural ecology.Living environment and family changes in the childhood makes Emily Bronte form a deep love for the wilderness.The vast and rough natural world brings great joy and spiritual comfort to the protagonists of the novel,and gradually becomes the habitat of their souls.Secondly,this thesis reveals the conflict and integration between nature and civilization from the perspective of social ecology.The wealth gap and social values of the Victorian era when the novel was written has a huge impact and constraints on women in society.In the novel,the two micro worlds,Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange,have two completely different living conditions and social values,which will inevitably lead to the conflict between nature and the civilized world.However,nature and civilization will seek balance in their constant confrontation.Little Catherine’s marriage with Hareton represents the true integration between nature and civilization.Finally,by using the perspective of spiritual ecology,this thesis illustrates the protagonists’ spiritual return to nature.The intimacy of Catherine and Heathcliff in their childhood reflects the purity of their spiritual worlds and transcendent affection.But since the moment the two youngsters came into contact with the civilized world,their spiritual worlds have gradually changed till the loss of themselves.They are extremely painful after realizing their spiritual distortion and they have no way to release their inner depression.In the end,they realize self-salvation and spiritual worlds’ quietness through returning to nature.By interpreting Wuthering Heights from the perspective of ecocriticism,this thesis presents Emily Bronte’s ecological consciousness contained in the novel:when human beings return to nature and integrate into nature,conflicts and contradictions in natural ecology,social ecology and spiritual ecology will be better resolved,and harmony and tranquility of natural,social and human spiritual worlds in a real sense will be obtained,and complete integration between nature and civilization and real ecological balance will be finally achieved.