The Evolution of Wuthering Heights Radio Adaptations: Analysis and Comparison

Mlakar, Matej (author), Krevel, Mojca (mentor)

This thesis is the first comprehensive look at the entire range of American and British radio adaptations of Wuthering Heights, the only novel written by Emily Brontë and originally published in 1847. The first chapter focuses on background information about the author and the novel, including the possible inspirations for the characters and locations presented in the story. This section also provides a brief summary of the novel and an overview of the existing adaptations across all media. The next chapter provides the theoretical framework for radio adaptations, including the history of the medium and the main characteristics of radio drama. The primary elements that constitute a radio drama are also considered, as well as classifications of these elements that have been proposed by authors such as Lance Sieveking, Andrew Crisell, and Dermot Rattigan. The following two chapters are dedicated to the analysis and comparison of all English-language radio adaptations of the novel. The thesis mainly discusses significant alterations to the plot and scenes, but it does not address minor changes that are inconsequential to the narrative as a whole. As several radio dramas closely follow the critically acclaimed 1939 motion picture instead, a brief description of the film has been included. Several adaptations whose recordings are unavailable are also included and briefly discussed using existing listings in newspapers, magazines and historical schedule data.

• Language: English
• Keywords: adaptation, radio, literature, Wuthering Heights, Emily Brontë, radio drama
• Work type: Master's thesis/paper
• Organization: FF - Faculty of Arts
• Year: 2026
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-188169
• Publication date in RUL: 19.09.2026

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Title: Razvoj radijskih priredb romana Viharni vrh: analiza in primerjava

Abstract

Magistrska naloga predstavlja prvo celovito obravnavo vseh ameriških in britanskih radijskih priredb romana Viharni vrh, edinega romana Emily Brontë, ki je bil prvič objavljen leta 1847. Prvo poglavje se osredotoča na avtorico in roman ter vključuje informacije o možnih navdihih za like in kraje, upodobljene v zgodbi. V tem delu sta predstavljena tudi kratek povzetek romana in pregled obstoječih priredb v različnih medijih. Naslednje poglavje predstavlja teoretični okvir radijskih priredb, vključno z zgodovino medija in temeljnimi značilnostmi radijske igre. Obravnavani so tudi osrednji elementi radijske igre ter različne klasifikacije teh elementov, ki so jih predlagali avtorji, kot so Lance Sieveking, Andrew Crisell in Dermot Rattigan. Naslednji dve poglavji sta namenjeni analizi in primerjavi vseh angleškojezičnih radijskih priredb romana. Naloga se osredotoča predvsem na pomembnejše spremembe v zgodbi in posameznih prizorih, ne obravnava pa manjših sprememb, ki nimajo bistvenega vpliva na potek zgodbe. Ker več radijskih iger tesno sledi tudi filmski priredbi iz leta 1939, je v nalogo vključen kratek opis tega filma. Poleg tega so obravnavani tudi nekateri nedostopni posnetki priredb, ki so na kratko predstavljeni na podlagi obstoječih objav v časopisih in revijah ter zgodovinskih programskih podatkov.

• Keywords: priredba, radio, literatura, Viharni vrh, Emily Brontë, radijska igra