Sarah Moss Reveals Why Jane Eyre Trumps Wuthering Heights in Her Heart
In a candid conversation, celebrated author Sarah Moss has confessed that her affinity for Charlotte Brontë's timeless classic, Jane Eyre, far surpasses that of Emily Brontë's infamous novel, Wuthering Heights. While both novels are considered cornerstones of English literature, Moss admits that the abuse and eroticization inherent to Wuthering Heights have lost its appeal for her.
This revelation comes as a surprise, given the historical significance of Wuthering Heights as a pioneering work of feminist literature. However, for Moss, the problematic elements in Wuthering Heights outweigh any literary merit it may possess. "I never liked Wuthering Heights as much as Jane Eyre," she states unequivocally.
The disparity between her opinions on the two novels can be attributed to Moss's growing awareness of the violent and abusive nature of both books during her teenage years. As a result, she began to see the problematic aspects of Wuthering Heights more clearly than its female protagonist, who had initially resonated with her.
This shift in perspective highlights the complex and multifaceted nature of literary interpretation, where readers' experiences and biases can significantly influence their perception of even the most celebrated works. As Moss notes, "All books change my mind... recently Christina Sharpe's Ordinary Notes altered the way I understand much of the world around me."
Moss's statement underscores the dynamic relationship between authors, texts, and readers, emphasizing that literary appreciation is subjective and constantly evolving. By sharing her own thoughts on classic literature, Sarah Moss encourages us to re-examine our expectations and interpretations of timeless works like Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre.
In a candid conversation, celebrated author Sarah Moss has confessed that her affinity for Charlotte Brontë's timeless classic, Jane Eyre, far surpasses that of Emily Brontë's infamous novel, Wuthering Heights. While both novels are considered cornerstones of English literature, Moss admits that the abuse and eroticization inherent to Wuthering Heights have lost its appeal for her.
This revelation comes as a surprise, given the historical significance of Wuthering Heights as a pioneering work of feminist literature. However, for Moss, the problematic elements in Wuthering Heights outweigh any literary merit it may possess. "I never liked Wuthering Heights as much as Jane Eyre," she states unequivocally.
The disparity between her opinions on the two novels can be attributed to Moss's growing awareness of the violent and abusive nature of both books during her teenage years. As a result, she began to see the problematic aspects of Wuthering Heights more clearly than its female protagonist, who had initially resonated with her.
This shift in perspective highlights the complex and multifaceted nature of literary interpretation, where readers' experiences and biases can significantly influence their perception of even the most celebrated works. As Moss notes, "All books change my mind... recently Christina Sharpe's Ordinary Notes altered the way I understand much of the world around me."
Moss's statement underscores the dynamic relationship between authors, texts, and readers, emphasizing that literary appreciation is subjective and constantly evolving. By sharing her own thoughts on classic literature, Sarah Moss encourages us to re-examine our expectations and interpretations of timeless works like Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre.