WHEN GHOSTS DANCE

THE AUDIOVISUAL ADAPTATION OF 'WUTHERING HEIGHTS' THROUGH KATE BUSH

Abstract

Emily Brontë (1818–1848), in her novel Wuthering Heights (1847), explores the expression of emotions and inner turmoil surrounding human nature. The book has served, and continues to serve, as inspiration for numerous other works, extending beyond the literary realm, as exemplified by the homonymous song by singer Kate Bush (1958–). Thus, and considering both the role of the characters and the possibility of artistic creation and re-creation, this study aims to analyze the perception and representation of Brontë’s characters Catherine and Heathcliff through the lens of musical and audiovisual production, focusing on two music videos by Bush. To achieve this, the analysis draws on the perspective on literary characters established by Candido (2007), the concepts of Adaptation (Hutcheon, 2013) and Intermediality (Clüver, 2011), as well as the music video analysis methodology proposed by Rodriguez-López and Aguaded-Gómez (2013). Among the key aspects observed is that each work presents its own focal point of representation, particularly regarding the shift in perspective between the characters. Moreover, Bush introduces new interpretations, reaffirming the capacity of the arts to reinterpret and renew their meanings.