《咆哮山莊》這本名著的一大特色是故事中有著許多對立分明的人物、地理環境、家庭及表現主題等，其中「天堂與地獄」這個對比是學者積極探索的主題，本論文試著從這個議題切入，希望能更深入了解兩者之間的衝突性及其中可能所蘊含的象徵意義。
論文首先將《咆哮山莊》與《失樂園》的關聯性做了研究，從而了解到作者在處理小說中的議題時延續了《失樂園》當中的母題，因此型塑出Heathcliff這位惡魔般的主角。在傳統的評論中普遍將Heathcliff視為災難的源頭，而且Earnshaw與Linton兩個家庭的沒落也都要歸咎在Heathcliff身上，本論文要從不同角度找出問題的最根本原因。另外，本文也從「天堂與地獄」的對立中帶出「墮落與救贖」、「自然與文明」這兩個議題的一連串討論，墮落是如何造成的？誰該為墮落負責任？小說中有救贖嗎？若有的話，又是由誰獲得救贖？自然與文明孰為重要？又該如何取得一個平衡點？藉由這些問題的探討，進一步釐清了「天堂與地獄」的觀念，並且幫助本論文作出結論。
本論文共有四章，第一章為文獻回顧，從以下三點進行：《咆哮山莊》與《失樂園》的關聯性；「墮落與救贖」的主題；Heathcliff是撒旦及拜倫式英雄的化身。第二章為人間煉獄的探討，融入了「墮落」的概念，並且進行了「自然與文明」的細部比較。第三章從厭世者天堂的引言中展開了「救贖」的分析，將小說人物中有獲得救贖的分成三組，依層次排列，並由其排列方式推敲出作者撰寫小說的用意。第四章為論文的結論，本章提出了論文題目的合理答案。

Wuthering Heights is characterized by its myriads of symmetrical pairs, such as two generations, two families, and two houses with contrast living environments. Among those pairs, “hell and heaven” is one of the most popular topics for discussion. The thesis would like to focus on this topic, hopefully comprehending their complicated relationship and unmasking the symbolic connotations.
The connection between Wuthering Heights and Paradise Lost will be carefully researched first in the thesis. The findings suggest that Emily Brontë follow the traditions of this grand epic and then create a Satanic figure, Heathcliff, as the hero in Wuthering Heights. Most critiques reckon Heathcliff as an irredeemable sinner, who should be fully responsible for the falls of the Earnshaw and the Linton family. However, the thesis attempts to find out the real root of the great calamity from other perspectives. In the course of solving the hell-heaven enigma, the two themes “fall-redemption” and “nature-civilization” naturally consist of the argumentations for the thesis. There are many questions waiting for workable explications. What causes the fall in the world of Wuthering Heights? Who is condemned for the fall? Is there any redemption in the novel? If yes, who is the blessed one for redemption? Which is the top priority for individuals, nature or civilization? How can we find a balance between them? By going through these arguments, I clarify the notion of hell and heaven in Wuthering Heights. Most important of all, these arguments assist me in making the conclusions.
The thesis is composed of four chapters. Chapter One is about the literature review, which is conducted from the three aspects: the textual relationship between Wuthering Heights and Paraside Lost, fall-redemption, and Heathcliff as Satan and a Byronic hero. Chapter Two deals with the discussion about earthly hell, and it is developed through the “fall” concept. Besides, nature and civilization are also under a close examination. In Chapter Three, misanthropist’s heaven is explored with scrupulous considerations. There are three redemptive groups ranked from low to high. According to the ranking order, Emily Brontë’s possible ideal paradise is briefly sketched out. In Chapter Four, I will offer the answers to the essay questions.

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