Choose exam board for KS4 Computer Science (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 English
Choose exam board for KS4 French
Choose exam board for KS4 Geography
Choose exam board for KS4 German
Choose exam board for KS4 History
Choose tier for KS4 Maths
Choose exam board for KS4 Music
Choose exam board for KS4 Physical education (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 Religious education (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 Spanish

      Emulating the use of motifs in Brontë's 'Wuthering Heights'

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can emulate Brontë's use of motifs within my own writing.

      Key learning points

      1. Arguably, Brontë conveys the concept of exclusion through the descriptions of the windows in 'Wuthering Heights'.
      2. Brontë uses the physical description of the window to show this idea of exclusion to the reader.
      3. Brontë also considers how the character interacts with the window in order to create that sense of exclusion.
      4. To craft your own motifs, you might begin by asking what emotion or concept it is you want to portray.

      Keywords

      • Emulate - match or surpass (a person or achievement), typically by imitation

      • Motif - an object, image, sound, or phrase that is repeated throughout a story that relates to the themes

      • Confinement - the situation in which a person or animal is kept somewhere

      • Threshold - a point of departure or transition

      • Exclusion - an instance of leaving something or someone out

      Common misconception

      That you shouldn't edit and rewrite your writing as you are doing it.

      Often it's very effective to rewrite your work as you go so that you can continually craft an effective idea and ensure you are creating a cohesive piece.

      Teacher tip

      It would be useful to recap the central themes of Brontë's 'Wuthering Heights' before this lesson.

      Content guidance

      Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

      Supervision

      Adult supervision recommended

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

      Loading...

      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      To leave something or someone out is to them.

      Correct Answer: exclude

      Q2.
      'A word or phrase that means exactly or nearly the same as another word or phrase' is the definition of a ...

      Correct Answer: synonym

      Q3.
      'The situation in which a person or animal is kept somewhere' is the definition of which of the following?

      Correct answer: confinement
      emancipation
      liberation

      Q4.
      Which of the following depictions of a window creates a sense of confinement?

      Correct answer: a locked window
      an open window
      a half open window

      Q5.
      'Match or surpass (a person or achievement), typically by imitation' is the definition of which word beginning with 'e'?

      Correct Answer: emulate, emulating

      Q6.
      Which of the following are antonyms of the word 'narrow'?

      slight
      tapered
      Correct answer: broad
      Correct answer: spacious

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Arguably, Brontë uses windows in 'Wuthering Heights' to show feelings of which word beginning with 'e'?

      Correct Answer: exclusion, excluded, exclude

      Q2.
      Which of the following are synonyms of 'narrow'?

      Correct answer: meagre
      Correct answer: paltry
      ample
      spacious

      Q3.
      'A point of departure or transition' is the definition of which word beginning with 't'?

      Correct Answer: threshold

      Q4.
      'An object, image, sound, or phrase that is repeated throughout a story that relates to the themes' is the definition of which word beginning with 'm'?

      Correct Answer: motif

      Q5.
      The physical act of leaning your head against a window might show which of the following?

      Correct answer: that the window creates a physical barrier
      that the window represents ideas of freedom
      that this is an action you have done many times before

      Q6.
      Brontë's description of the windows in 'Wuthering Heights' as being 'soldered' suggests that they are which of the following?

      easily opened
      Correct answer: permanently locked
      in disrepair

      To help you plan your 11 English lesson on: Emulating the use of motifs in Brontë's 'Wuthering Heights', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...