'Wuthering Heights' 21st Century Reader.

"Wuthering Heights holds no relevance to a 21st Century reader" Discuss and Explain.

It is safe to say that 'Wuthering Heights' can be considered as a classic, but should it only be kept as a classic, and not continued on the A-level syllabus because of its lack of relevance to 21st century society? Or can it be used as a powerful learning tool, and still hold various relevant aspects to 21st century readers. It is important to consider the themes in which 'Wuthering Heights' touch on throughout the book such as religion, social class and different viewpoints people of the 19th century would have. Society has changed since the 19th century, things that may have been acceptable and tolerated then, are not tolerated in the 21st century. The character such as ‘Heathcliff’ known as the ‘Byronic hero’ would not be tolerated in a 21st century society. His personality and certain things he does in the book, would lead to his imprisonment or looked upon very poorly in 21st century society. In the 19th century it was acceptable to beat your wife if the stick was no thicker than your thumb, Isabella becomes subject to such brutal activity under Heathcliff’s care, when marrying Heathcliff she became his property. Such things would not be tolerated in the 21st century, she would not become his property nor would he be likely to beat her, this would earn him a prison sentence or some form of official punishment in 21st century society, therefore this aspect of the book would have no relevance to 21st century readers. Another aspect that would have no relevance is the emphasis on male heir, it is stressed in ‘Wuthering Heights’ a male heir is needed to obtain ‘Thrushcross Grange’ and Heathcliff’s constant concern after taking over Wuthering Heights, is becoming the owner of the Grange. A male heir in the 21st century is basically non-existent, property and valuables can