Obsession in Wuthering Heights
In the cartoon Garfield, Garfield the cat highly obsesses over food and self-evaluation, which leads to harmful effects on not only himself but those around him. Similarly, in the novel Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte, this idea of obsession is evident through Heathcliff's boundless love for Catherine, Catherine's self-obsession and self-harm and finally, Heathcliff's long for revenge along with his acts of abuse. With this, it is obvious that Heathcliff and Catharine are monomaniacs, whose obsessions ultimately destroy them.
First off, sometimes love can be so immensely passionate and strong that it leads to one's corruption. Heathcliff's love is at its peak when Catherine is living. However, his obsession for her is so compelling that he strives to preserve their connection even after her death. When he encounters Catherine's spirit he cries, "be with me always - take any form - drive me mad! Only do not leave me in this abyss, where I cannot find you! Oh, God! It is unutterable! I cannot live without my life! I can not live without my soul!" (Bronte 200).
The description of Heathcliff's obsession for Catherine is the disease of monomania. As Greame Tytler explains, monomania is "a form of partial insanity conceived as single pathological preoccupation in an otherwise sound mind." Heathcliff's evident attraction for Catherine drives him to insanity and mental instability.
Furthermore, Heathcliff's obsession leads him into a lethal trap that consumes him mentally. When Catherine dies, Heathcliff thinks about his existence in the future. He contemplates whether or not life is worth living without Catherine. "Two words would comprehend my future - death and hell: existence, after losing her, would be hell" (Bronte 124). Living without Catherine is not an ideal life he wants to live. His emotions towards her death are...