Heathcliff Characterization Quotes
1) I've no more business to marry Edgar Linton than I have to be in heaven; and if the wicked man in there had not brought Heathcliff so low, I shouldn't have thought of it. It would degrade me to marry Heathcliff now; so he shall never know how I love him; and that, not because he's handsome, Nelly, but because he's more myself than I am (86). Catherine admits to Ellen that she loves Heathcliff but cannot think of marrying him because he has been degraded by Hindley. Heathcliff hears this speech, and he leaves Wuthering Heights, not to return for three years.
2) Nelly, I see now, you think me a selfish wretch; but did it never strike you that if Heathcliff and I married we should be beggars? whereas, if I marry Linton, I can aid Heathcliff to rise, and place him out of my brother's power? (87). Catherine tells Ellen what she believes will happen with her marriage and her relationship to Heathcliff. She really believes that her marriage to Linton will end up helping Heathcliff, which of course it does not.
3) My love for Linton is like the foliage in the woods; time will change it, I'm well aware, as winter changes the trees. My love for Heathcliff resembles the eternal rocks beneath--a source of little visible delight, but necessary. Nelly, I am Heathcliff! He's always, always in my mind--not as a pleasure, any more than I am always a pleasure to myself, but as my own being (88). The extent of the love between Catherine and Heathcliff is shown here. Heathcliff says similar things throughout the novel.
4) I'd as soon put that little canary into the park on a winter's day, as recommend you to bestow your heart on him!...He's not a rough diamond--a pearl-containing oyster of a rustic: he's a fierce, pitiless, wolfish man (109). Although she loves Heathcliff, Catherine realizes the man he has become and strongly advises Isabella against getting involved with him. Isabella thinks Catherine is only jealous, and does not heed her advice.
5) You teach me how
2) Nelly, I see now, you think me a selfish wretch; but did it never strike you that if Heathcliff and I married we should be beggars? whereas, if I marry Linton, I can aid Heathcliff to rise, and place him out of my brother's power? (87). Catherine tells Ellen what she believes will happen with her marriage and her relationship to Heathcliff. She really believes that her marriage to Linton will end up helping Heathcliff, which of course it does not.
3) My love for Linton is like the foliage in the woods; time will change it, I'm well aware, as winter changes the trees. My love for Heathcliff resembles the eternal rocks beneath--a source of little visible delight, but necessary. Nelly, I am Heathcliff! He's always, always in my mind--not as a pleasure, any more than I am always a pleasure to myself, but as my own being (88). The extent of the love between Catherine and Heathcliff is shown here. Heathcliff says similar things throughout the novel.
4) I'd as soon put that little canary into the park on a winter's day, as recommend you to bestow your heart on him!...He's not a rough diamond--a pearl-containing oyster of a rustic: he's a fierce, pitiless, wolfish man (109). Although she loves Heathcliff, Catherine realizes the man he has become and strongly advises Isabella against getting involved with him. Isabella thinks Catherine is only jealous, and does not heed her advice.
5) You teach me how