Narrative Gap In Wuthering Heights

A start without a beginning, more specifically a character known as Mr. Heathcliff from the novel Wuthering Heights. Heathcliff being this mysterious entity that comes from nowhere and seems to be different from every other character present in the story. Leaving an audience in a purgatory state when deciding what this character truly is and how he became such a significant part of the plot. This narrative gap as described by Abbott is a hole within the novel that the other characters are trying to figure out as well. Making this vast gap larger and larger with no end in sight. Moreover, the gothic genre of the story pushes the audience to believe in a darker origin for our mysterious acquaintance, Mr. Heathcliff. Additionally, how the story …show more content…
His unknown origin, cruel treatment, and his untamed outbursts move the reader to find some type of explanation for him. This is one of the finest examples of what a narrative gap is and how it affects the interpretation of literature. The use of this tool in literature can make or break the story and it varies on the implied reader. Abbott states, “What I hope to have shown in this brief look at the way story, plot, and narration interact is that narrative is an art of the opening and closing of gaps, and that in those gaps lie whole worlds that the art of narrative invites us either to actualize or leave as possibilities” (Abbott, 50). This idea means that every reader will find new ways to explore the narrative gaps within the story to determine the connection. These connections can close the gap and even divide it further. Furthermore, there are multiple types of gaps within the novel, such as the aforementioned lack of information. The other is characters inability to remember all of the details to every story discussed or the fact that they might not want to tell every part of the story. Leading the readers to wonder whether certain parts of each tale is true, false, or even