Heathcliff And Kurtz Obsession Essay
Don Buckley
English 161
Professor Jolicoeur
23 November 2010
Heathcliff and Kurtz/ Obsession
The Characters, Heathcliff in Brontes’ novel Wuthering Heights and Kurtz, in Conrads’ novel Heart of Darkness share interesting qualities. Both characters are prideful, passionate, menacing and brooding. Each has been referred to as an “evil genius” at times. Both display qualities of greed and a desire for power and control. These men throughout their individual stories are engulfed in a world of their own. Heathcliff because of his strong desire and twisted love for Catherine succumbs to the evil attempt at destroying the lives of her family members as well as his own. Kurtz on the other hand, is so focused and driven to collect ivory he will compromise his morals and integrity in order to achieve wealth and success at any cost. Through individual analysis of these two men it is clearly seen that they not only resemble each other in personality, but also in character. The main flaw that each one inherits and …show more content…
His behavior can be at best described as childish and at worst excessively cruel. It is his obsession for Catherine however, that causes him to lose control. Hindley may be half the man Heathcliff is, but nevertheless, the two were raised as brothers. Moreover, whatever Hindley’s childhood sins may be, he is now a broken man, a drunk and a gambler. In light of these facts, Heathcliff still insists on coldly and methodically finding a way in taking Wuthering Heights from him. Heathcliff is also bent on turning Hareton against his own father. Heathcliff treats his wife Isabella equally unmercifully. She is a silly woman by all means, but a very innocent one at that. Heathcliff who thinks of her as nothing more than a pawn in his game of revenge, treats her very unfairly. His professed willingness to punish her for her brother’s crime makes him out to be a
English 161
Professor Jolicoeur
23 November 2010
Heathcliff and Kurtz/ Obsession
The Characters, Heathcliff in Brontes’ novel Wuthering Heights and Kurtz, in Conrads’ novel Heart of Darkness share interesting qualities. Both characters are prideful, passionate, menacing and brooding. Each has been referred to as an “evil genius” at times. Both display qualities of greed and a desire for power and control. These men throughout their individual stories are engulfed in a world of their own. Heathcliff because of his strong desire and twisted love for Catherine succumbs to the evil attempt at destroying the lives of her family members as well as his own. Kurtz on the other hand, is so focused and driven to collect ivory he will compromise his morals and integrity in order to achieve wealth and success at any cost. Through individual analysis of these two men it is clearly seen that they not only resemble each other in personality, but also in character. The main flaw that each one inherits and …show more content…
His behavior can be at best described as childish and at worst excessively cruel. It is his obsession for Catherine however, that causes him to lose control. Hindley may be half the man Heathcliff is, but nevertheless, the two were raised as brothers. Moreover, whatever Hindley’s childhood sins may be, he is now a broken man, a drunk and a gambler. In light of these facts, Heathcliff still insists on coldly and methodically finding a way in taking Wuthering Heights from him. Heathcliff is also bent on turning Hareton against his own father. Heathcliff treats his wife Isabella equally unmercifully. She is a silly woman by all means, but a very innocent one at that. Heathcliff who thinks of her as nothing more than a pawn in his game of revenge, treats her very unfairly. His professed willingness to punish her for her brother’s crime makes him out to be a