Wuthering Heights: Host the Best Club Event Inspired by This Tumultuous Story

Is the ultimate classic Wuthering Heights the next book on the list of your book club? Are you brainstorming creative ideas to host a book club event that will stay unforgettable? 

In this blog post, we’ll be discussing inspiring book club ideas that will make Wuthering Heights come to life in your book club meetings. From brain-squeezing questions to food-themed gatherings, we have the perfect ideas for a night of reading and lively discussion about Emily Brontë’s timeless masterpiece.  

Wuthering Heights: Book Summary

Wuthering Heights is a classic novel by Emily Bronte, published in 1847. It tells the story of Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff's passionate and tumultuous romance. Set in the rugged and desolate Yorkshire moors, their passionate love for each other is tested by the family and social conventions of the day.

Lockwood, a London gentleman, arrives at Wuthering Heights, the home of the Earnshaw family. He discovers the house is in a state of disrepair and is cared for by Heathcliff. Lockwood learns that Heathcliff was taken in by the Earnshaw family and treated like a son. However, he is treated poorly and is largely kept out of sight.

Lockwood meets Catherine, the daughter of the Earnshaw family. He is quickly charmed by her beauty and joyful spirit. After a brief courtship, Catherine and Heathcliff confess their love for each other. Unfortunately, their relationship is forbidden by her father and rejected by her brother Hindley. Desperate to be together, Heathcliff and Catherine elope but are separated soon after.

Heathcliff is heartbroken and leaves Wuthering Heights. He returns years later, a wealthy man, determined to take revenge on those who have wronged him. In the process, he destroys the lives of many, including his beloved Catherine.

Catherine eventually dies, and Heathcliff is left alone with his grief. He haunts Wuthering Heights, seeking revenge on those who have wronged him. He also seeks solace in the memory of his beloved Catherine.

Top 3 Lessons We Can Learn From Wuthering Heights

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte tells the story of two entangled families, the Earnshaws and the Lintons, and their turbulent relationships as they battle love, betrayal, and revenge. While it is a tragic story, it offers some valuable life lessons that still apply today. Below, we will share the top 3 lessons that are timeless and still applicable today:

1. The Power of Love

Love preoccupies nearly all of the characters in Wuthering Heights, and the quest for it motivates their actions and controls the development of the plot. Heathcliff and Catherine's love for one another is the novel's driving force, and their love is powerful enough to transcend death. This teaches us that love can be a powerful motivator and even surpass death.  

2. The Impact of Social Class

The novel highlights the impact of social class and how it can harm relationships. Catherine and Heathcliff are from different social classes, and this causes a rift between them that ultimately leads to Heathcliff's departure. This teaches us that social class can have a detrimental effect on relationships and should be considered when forming connections with others.  

3. The Effects of Revenge

The novel also shows us the effects of revenge and how it can be destructive and lead to tragedy. Heathcliff's desire for revenge is so powerful that it causes him to harm others and ultimately leads to his downfall. This teaches us that revenge, while tempting, can be destructive and should be avoided.  

How to Create a Wuthering-Heights-Themed Book Club to Remember

For a book club event inspired by Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte, here are some decoration, food, and drink ideas that will help you to create a memorable and enjoyable experience for your guests:  

Decorations

Include lots of wildflowers to represent the moors of Wuthering Heights, candles in jars or candelabras, and paper chains to recreate the traditional marriage celebration.

You could also display some possible products and books people may have had in the 1800s and quotes from Wuthering Heights.

Food and Drinks

You could serve typical dishes one may eat in England, such as cottage pie, salad, and custard dessert. You could also try making a Devil’s Food Cake with a Blackcurrant Compote recipe, which is sure to impress your guests.

Some other favorites include shepherd's pie, sticky toffee pudding, fish and chips, and scones with clotted cream.

As for the drinks, brew up some strong English tea, serve traditional cider or ales, or provide hot mulled wine or mimosas to add a touch of class to the event.  

Activities

Questions

1. What did Heathcliff and Catherine's relationship represent?

2. How does Heathcliff's social class affect his relationship with Catherine? 

3. What are some of the themes that are explored in the novel?

4. How does the power of love shape the characters’ destiny? 

5. What are the psychological effects of the cycles of revenge in Wuthering Heights?

6. How does the setting reflect character development in the novel?

7. In what ways do Cathy and Hareton challenge Victorian gender norms?

8. What role do dreams play in the narrative structure of Wuthering Heights?

9. What is the significance of the moors in the novel?

10. How does the novel's relationship between nature and civilization play out?  

Highlighted Notes

1. Share a beautifully written phrase
2. Share a phrase of advice or life lesson that resonated with you
3. Share a phrase that portrayed symbolism and your interpretation
4. Share a phrase that made you laugh 
5. Share a phrase that moved you
6. Share a phrase that provoked a different feeling