As a fallible narrator, Nelly Dean alters the course of the story. Is she completely blameless in what occurs?

“The Grange had but one sensible soul in its walls, and that lodged in my body.” Indeed, as a focal narrator, Nelly Dean’s fallible words are reflective of her subjective judgement towards those around her. Set against the poignant backdrop of Haworth, Yorkshire, Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights, explores the multifaceted nature of human behaviour in a turbulent and chaotic world. As the witness to the interlocked destinies of the original owners of the Heights, Nelly’s narrations give readers an insight into the course of the story. Whilst she may be fallible in her subjective views, Nelly is often concerned with her self-interests and to blame for altering the course of the story, thus resulting in her misjudgements of human nature. It would be remiss for readers to disregard the good intentions that catalyse her actions; as her actions are often driven from her conventional and conservative stance.

As a fallible narrator, Nelly is often more concerned for her own wellbeing, rather than for those around her. In striving for self-preservation, she believes that people are essentially selfish and that “we must be for ourselves in the long run,” reflective of Nelly’s creed of living. Her actions are often centred for her own protection and needs, and she is always vigilant to avoid being implicated in difficult situations, such as “playing that treacherous part in my employer’s [Linton’s] house,” by allowing Heathcliff’s illicit visit to Thrushcross Grange. Fearing for her own employment, upon discovering Edgar’s return, Nelly declares that “we are all done for – master, mistress and servant.” Indicative of her selfish nature, readers may blame Nelly for altering the narration to suit herself, showing that even when consequences are worse for others, she thinks of own self preservation. Furthermore, Nelly cannot accept being “blamed for another’s wicked waywardness!” when she does not inform Edgar of Cathy’s sickness. Not only is Nelly irresponsible in her duties as a servant, she cannot accept her responsibilities in accepting blame. Thus, readers may hold Nelly partially accountable for altering the course of the story.

Similarly, Nelly’s lack in judgement and course of action have often led to devastating consequences, hence she may be partly blamed for disrupting the lives of the Lintons. In undermining the significance of Catherine Linton’s final illness, believing that they were “fits of passion to account,” Nelly is negligent to inform Edgar until Cathy is, consequently, dangerously ill. Thus, Nelly’s misjudgement has harmfully inflicted upon, and to blame, for Cathy’s deteriorating health. Furthermore, Nelly’s errors in withholding information is amplified when she does not immediately act upon discovering Isabella’s dogs hanged and the “beat of horses galloping,” thus allowing the elopement of Heathcliff with Isabella, and causing Linton to fail his duty in protecting the household of Thrushcross Grange. As an implication to herself, she is reprimanded of her “pertness” and reminded of her servant duties by Edgar. In similar concealment of information, Nelly suppressed knowledge of young Catherine’s visits to Wuthering Heights from Edgar. Although she had well intentions not to alarm or distress Edgar, who was ill and bed ridden, she destroys Catherine’s plans and incidentally, loses her trust to Catherine by becoming a “traitor” and “hidden enemy.” Thus, readers are revealed that Nelly’s meddling has thwarted the peace within the Linton’s household and she may be held liable for changing the course of the narration.

At times, Nelly’s misjudgements result from her conservative and conventional nature, thus she often has evident lapses in judgment and cannot be blame for meddling with the relationships between characters, namely the loves between individuals. Nelly’s emotional life is apparently bleak to readers, as her fallibility in narration does not inform readers of her personal love life, if any. Thus, Nelly cannot comprehend the intensity of the “eternal rocks beneath” the love between Cathy and Heathcliff, becoming “out of patience with [Cathy’s] folly” when Cathy confides in Nelly her true love for Heathcliff, insinuating to readers the lack of understanding from Nelly. As Nelly’s narration reaches the climactic centre of Cathy and Heathcliff’s love, even then she sees a “strange and fearful” portrait of Heathcliff clinging to Cathy, a direct conflict to her conservative view of love, in which she see’s love as a “duty”. Subsequently, Heathcliff and Cathy’s immutable love throws Nelly into “great perplexity.” Nelly. Even as time passes, Nelly at age 45, still cannot grasp the love that young Catherine encompasses. In fact, Nelly mocks Catherine’s understanding of love, likening it to “loving the miller who comes over a year to buy our corn.” Thus positioning readers to feel doubt of what Nelly knows of love. Indeed, it is this misjudgement that causes Nelly to meddle between the growing relationship between Catherine and Linton, as she threatens to throw Catherine’s love letters, the “fine bundle of trash,” in the fire. By interfering upon the loves of the two Catherines, readers may not blame Nelly for her actions, due to her conservative judgments in narration.

The crux of Wuthering Heights is full of passion and torment as Nelly’s narration reaches the core of the story. The many frames of Nelly’s narration give readers and insight into her fallible judgements and ambivalent nature. Thus, Bronte challenges readers to consider whether to some extent we may blame Nelly for altering the story to suit her own needs, or feel sympathy towards her, as her views were reflective of the social conventions of the times.