Wuthering Heights: A Tale of Passion And Revenge

The novel Wuthering Heights is a significant and complex work written by Emily Brontë. It centers around Heathcliff, an outsider, and the intricate relationships at Wuthering Heights.

Throughout the novel, we witness the transformations in Heathcliff’s life and how he ultimately ends up losing everything he holds dear. Driven by this loss, Heathcliff seeks revenge on everyone responsible for his suffering.

The story explores extreme passion, most notably the intense love between Cathy and Heathcliff, which leads to devastating consequences. This complexity is reflected in the relationships among the characters. The novel is divided into two parts, with the first being the most powerful. It mainly focuses on Cathy and Heathcliff, who are raised together and share a passionate love. However, their love is far from ideal; it is both romantic and obsessive. By the end of the first part, Cathy dies from the stress of Heathcliff’s return, as she is already married to another man, Edgar. In this section, we see the growth and changes in each character, observing how they become either savage or civilized.

Heathcliff's character is particularly intriguing. He embodies pure evil and is portrayed as an outsider, treated horribly by the Earnshaw family’s mother and brother. Despite his malevolent nature and obsessive quest for revenge against those who thwarted his relationship with Cathy, we also feel sympathy for him due to his mistreatment. After Mr. Earnshaw’s death and Cathy’s decision to marry Edgar for his social status, Heathcliff runs away, returning later as a wealthy and powerful man. His elevated social status enables him to exact revenge, using money as his tool. The first part concludes with Cathy’s death.

The second part of the story mirrors the first, emphasizing the relationship between love and revenge. Heathcliff continues his vendetta, punishing Catherine and Hareton. Catherine, the daughter of Cathy, is immediately noticed by Lockwood upon his arrival at Wuthering Heights due to her striking beauty. During this era, girls were expected to adhere to strict social rules, but Catherine defies these norms, revealing her unique character. She is rude and spoiled, contrasting sharply with the aggressive and uncivilized Hareton. Initially, Catherine and Hareton despise each other, but their relationship eventually blossoms into love. Unlike the obsessive love between Cathy and Heathcliff, their love is natural and restorative, bringing peace to Wuthering Heights.

Hareton Earnshaw, the rightful owner of Wuthering Heights, is mistreated similarly to Heathcliff, but unlike Heathcliff, he does not seek revenge. Despite Heathcliff’s cruelty, Hareton loves him. Throughout the second part, Catherine transforms from a noble socialite into a kind and civilized person, teaching Hareton to read and elevating him to her level. Catherine inherits her mother’s liveliness, yet she forges a different path. Heathcliff despises Catherine, blaming her for Cathy’s death during childbirth. Ultimately, Catherine and Hareton marry, reclaiming both Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange. Heathcliff dies peacefully, believing death reunites him with Cathy, his heaven. His death brings tranquility to Wuthering Heights, symbolized by the now-open gate and flourishing garden, representing natural love and beauty.

In summary, the first part of Wuthering Heights is characterized by narcissism and cruel amusement, while the second part is filled with empathy and natural love, marking a profound transformation in the narrative.