The image of a gypsy was highly despised in the nineteenth century, mainly due to racial reasons, that they were usually characterised by the European features of dark skin and dark hair. Even though the image of a gypsy does not seem to offensive to the modern day society, the gypsy was at the base of the poorest social class in the nineteenth century. Another vulgar reference to Heathcliff is made by Catherine who describes him as a "beggarly interloper" and an "imp of Satan" which is a highly powerful image for a child like Catherine to use. Catherine is not the only person who draws parallels between Heathcliff and the figure of the devil. In chapter twelve, Nelly refers him to an "evil beast prowling" and "Waiting his time to spring and destroy." .
The language of the novel has a didactic purpose. It is an insight into the nature of Bronte's character. The authors of the nineteenth century, were not accustomed to such extreme language as this, and so the reception of the novel in this context was quite negative.
The structure of Wuthering Heights is unique in nature. According to Paul Norrgate, an English professor, the structure of the novel is "too complex" and the shape of the central characters is described as a "complex collage." This is because of the continual interruption of ordered chronological sequence, brought about by the multiplicity of narrators, their different perspectives and interpretations of events. The novel begins with Lockwood narrating. Lockwood is an outsider and so he is the most uneducated of all narrators. Another interesting feature of Mr Lockwood is that he is extremely conceited and thinks rather highly of himself in comparison to the other characters he speaks about. This is implied through his style of narration as demonstrated when he refers to himself as "a good tenant" and also when he says "it is astonishing how sociable I feel myself compared with him.