Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte was published in 1847, a mere year before its author would lose her life to pulmonary tuberculosis (Newman, "Emily Bronte: A Brief Chronology").  Wuthering Heights has since become "...regarded as the greatest gothic novel and one of the first modern psychological novels" (Constantakis, "Overview: Wuthering Heights"). Consequently, Wuthering Heights is essential to mention when trying to ascertain the development of the novel as an art form due to its ability to critique and affirm certain aspects of the Gothic genre. Namely, Wuthering Heights and Emily Bronte herself were simultaneously revered and criticized for the novel's depictions of "unrefined" language and improper Victorian conduct (Newman, 13). This, when considered within the development of the novel over time, suggests that the genre became even more concerned with realism and social critique. Regarding earlier works of literature, Jane Austen satirizes some of the elements of the plot of Wuthering Heights by nature of its connection to the Gothic genre in her novel Northanger Abbey that was published in 1818. Specifically, the similarity between the two works can be seen regarding some of the characters' naivety and excessive emotionality. However, it is also worth mentioning that both Northanger Abbey and Wuthering Heights are commenting on their time's values and actively attempting to challenge the status of women. Despite being published roughly thirty years apart, both works demonstrate the enduring impact gothic literature has had on the development of the novel and its continued influence on other literary subgenres.

Newman,Beth. “Introduction.” Wuthering Heights, Broadview, 2007, pp. 9,13.

 Newman,Beth. "Emily Bronte: A Brief Chronology." Wuthering Heights, Broadview, 2007, pp.31.

"Overview: Wuthering Heights." Novels for Students, edited by Sara Constantakis, vol. 45, Gale, 2014. Gale Literature Resource Center, link.gale.com/apps/doc/H1430007870/LitRC?u=sand82993&sid=LitRC&xid=ce866b10. Accessed 3 Apr. 2021.

Grogan, Claire. "Introduction." Northanger Abbey, Broadview 2002.