ÃÂWuthering Heightsàwas the only novel Emily Brontë had written. It was written in 1846 but published in 1847, under the pseudonym Ellis Bell, because people didnÃÂt acknowledge that a woman could have written a novel like ÃÂWuthering HeightsÃÂ. Lord Byron and Mary Shelley influenced Emily Brontë in writing ÃÂWuthering HeightsÃÂ, as the novel exposes themes from both writers. Both Lord Byron and Mary Shelley used Gothic and Romantic language and themes, which were shown throughout ÃÂWuthering Heightsàas well.
In this essay I will be exploring the love between Heathcliff and Catherine, and how HeathcliffÃÂs love for Catherine differs from CatherineÃÂs love for Heathcliff. Also, how Brontë uses language and structure to present their relationship and what we learn about the characters.
In chapter 6, Brontë presents Heathcliff as caring about Catherine. ÃÂÃÂWhen would you catch me wishing to have what Catherine wanted?ÃÂàHeathcliff compares his relationship with Catherine to EdgarÃÂs relationship with Isabella.
He wants to keep Catherine cheerful and content.
Brontë describes Heathcliff in such a way that the reader has both pity and hatred for him. ÃÂÃÂMiss Earnshaw scouring the country with a gipsy!ÃÂÃÂHeathcliff was bullied and degraded as a child because of his appearance and for him being an orphan, which could cause the reader to have sympathy for him.
The language which Brontë uses, enables us to learn that Heathcliff has a soft side to him as well as a hard side, which Brontë has presented throughout the first few chapters of ÃÂWuthering HeightsÃÂ. ÃÂÃÂI got a stone and thrust it between his jaws, and tried with all my might to cram it down his throat.ÃÂàHeathcliff risks his own health to try and save Catherine from the dog and would not leave her side, until Mr Linton forced him away, which shows he cares deeply about her.
Brontë depicted Heathcliff, as a child, as a boy who barely spoke and never cried when Hindley harmed him, so we are surprised at the language Heathcliff uses and the depth he goes into about his feelings for Catherine. ÃÂÃÂShe is immeasurably superior to them - to everyone on earth, is she not, Nelly?ÃÂÃÂThe way Brontë presents their relationship gives the reader the speculation that they have a committed emotional relationship rather than physical. The effect, their relationship so far, creates is that they are genuinely close and the evidence that Brontë has given us suggest this is a ÃÂperfect loveÃÂ, as they think so highly of each other. ÃÂÃÂA dim reflection from her own enchanting face.ÃÂàHeathcliff is captivated by CatherineÃÂs beauty.
Within NellyÃÂs narration, the events that took place at Thrushcross Grange are told from HeathcliffÃÂs point of view. He immediately dislikes the LintonÃÂs and what they represent, plus they now have what he cherishes most, namely Catherine. Therefore, the narrative becomes slightly questionable. The events may have happened as Heathcliff recalls or he may have painted a somewhat skewed picture. Nevertheless, this is still a good narrative device because Nelly gets the full story, of ÃÂWuthering HeightsÃÂ, from everyoneÃÂs point of view and the reader gets to discover how this occurs.
In chapter 9, Brontë presents Catherine as passionate about Heathcliff. ÃÂÃÂMy love for Heathcliff resembles the eternal rocks beneath.ÃÂàCatherine describes her feelings in such a way, that her depth of love for Heathcliff is now obvious. She shows that her love for him is solid and will never end. Whereas her love for Edgar will come and go. ÃÂÃÂTime will change it, IÃÂm well aware, as winter changes the trees.ÃÂÃÂWhen Heathcliff ran away, Catherine was extremely troubled by his absence. ÃÂÃÂMeanwhile, Catherine paced up and down the floor, exclaiming: ÃÂI wonder where he is?ÃÂàCatherine starts to think that the reason why Heathcliff ran away is because he overheard her saying ÃÂÃÂIt would degrade me to marry Heathcliff, now.ÃÂÃÂHowever, Catherine is also presented as selfish and self-centred. ÃÂÃÂAnd he will be rich, and I shall like to be the greatest woman of the neighbourhood.ÃÂàCatherine reveals her reasons why she is marrying Edgar, not for love but for money and status.
CatherineÃÂs actions are driven in parts by her social ambitions, which initially are awakened during her first stay at the LintonÃÂs, and we eventually compel her to marry Edgar. However, she is also motivated by impulse that prompts her to violate social conventions ÃÂ to love Heathcliff, throw temper tantrums, and run around on the moors. ÃÂÃÂIÃÂve no more business to marry Edgar Linton than I have to be in heaven.ÃÂÃÂ On the other hand, Catherine loves Heathcliff so intensely that she claims they are the same person. ÃÂÃÂNelly, I am Heathcliff.ÃÂÃÂ Nevertheless, her desire for social advancement motivates her to marry Edgar instead.
Catherine, although selfish, appears to be a likeable character as she sacrifices herself for Heathcliff. ÃÂÃÂWhereas, if I marry Linton I can aid Heathcliff to rise.ÃÂàCatherine wants to use EdgarÃÂs money and power to help Heathcliff became a man of high status. Brontë allows us to somewhat understand CatherineÃÂs feelings, as she is stuck between love, money and status.
We learn that Catherine and Heathcliff still have a strong emotional bond, as she considers herself and Heathcliff as one being. ÃÂÃÂHe is more myself than I am.ÃÂÃÂ However, problems begin to surface as Edgar becomes more involved. ÃÂÃÂI love all his looks, and all his actions, and him entirely.ÃÂÃÂ Catherine has now revealed her feelings for Edgar but doesnÃÂt go into depth like she does when talking about Heathcliff.
CatherineÃÂs feelings donÃÂt differ from HeathcliffÃÂs because they both seem to love each other to the same extent; they would do anything for each other. ÃÂÃÂWho is to separate us, pray? I shouldnÃÂt be Mrs Linton were such a price demanded!ÃÂÃÂ Catherine would forgo her relationship with Edgar if it ever caused herself and Heathcliff to separate.
After Catherine accepts to marry Edgar, she becomes doubtful and her feelings become confused. ÃÂÃÂI accepted him, Nelly; be quick, and say whether I was wrong!ÃÂàCatherine wants Nelly to reassure her and say she did the right thing. However, Nelly objects and questions Catherine about her love for both men; this is how her true feelings are exposed. The language Brontë uses shows the intensity of CatherineÃÂs feelings for Heathcliff.
In chapter 11, Heathcliff is presented as sadistic to those beneath him, as he reveals to Catherine how she has ill-treated him and how he plans his vengeance on Edgar. ÃÂÃÂYou are welcome to torture me to death for your amusement, only, allow me to amuse myself a little in the same style.ÃÂÃÂ Heathcliff plans to obtain Thrushcross Grange by encouraging IsabellaÃÂs infatuation with him and intending to marry her, even though he has no actual feelings for her.
Catherine is shown as arrogant and jealous of Heathcliff. ÃÂÃÂWell, I wonÃÂt repeat my offer of a wife - It is as bad as offering Satan a lost soul.ÃÂÃÂ Catherine shows her jealousy by being stubborn and belittling Heathcliff.
During the novel so far, Heathcliff and Catherine have been revealed as over-emotional characters, so it doesnÃÂt come as a surprise when they over react at something so pointless.
The language that Brontë uses, suggests to us that even though Catherine and Heathcliff think highly of each other, they are not blinded by love and can see the flaws in each other clearly. ÃÂÃÂI want you to be aware that I know you have treated me infernally---infernally!ÃÂÃÂThroughout my study of the three chapters, I have discovered that Catherine and Heathcliff have neither a ÃÂperfect loveànor a ÃÂdeeply flawed loveÃÂ. I have come to this conclusion because I have realised that there is no such thing as a ÃÂperfect loveÃÂ. There will always be some issues in relationships but some are more visible than others, like in CatherineÃÂs and HeathcliffÃÂs relationship.
It is obvious that wealth justifies social class, and Catherine strives to achieve high status. The struggle between social classes mostly resembles a real life conflict during this time. This is a love story which deals with social classes and the suppression of true feelings. Even though society is different today, peopleÃÂs mentality still remains the same.
Bibliography: 'Wuthering Heights' the novel.