Final answer:
Wuthering Heights subverts traditional gender roles by presenting female characters who challenge societal expectations and male characters who defy traditional notions of masculinity.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Wuthering Heights, traditional gender roles are subverted through the portrayal of female characters who exhibit agency, independence, and defiance of societal expectations. For instance, Catherine Earnshaw challenges gender norms by defying her family's wishes and marrying Heathcliff, despite his lower social status.
Additionally, Emily Brontë challenges traditional gender roles by presenting male characters who are emotional and vulnerable, such as Heathcliff, who is portrayed as a passionate and tormented figure.
Another example of gender role subversion is seen in the character of Isabella Linton, who rebels against societal expectations by leaving her abusive husband, Hindley Earnshaw. Isabella's decision to escape her abusive marriage demonstrates a refusal to be confined by traditional gender roles and the power dynamics typically associated with them.
In summary, Wuthering Heights subverts traditional gender roles by presenting female characters who challenge societal expectations and male characters who defy traditional notions of masculinity.