Preview

Wuthering Heights

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
428 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Wuthering Heights
Love, a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person. Experiencing love like Heathcliff and Catherine had for one another, is a once in a life time experience. Being with that person or not is a different story. Society can corrupt people's minds into believing what love is supposed to be like. In the book Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte, Catherine struggles with the idea of deciding wether she should follow her heart, and marry for true love or if money triumphs true love.
The agonizing love that Catherine and Heathcliff have for one another is not something that can be easily dealt with. Not all love is healthy, "sometimes people's love for one another is too powerful" (Bronte 45). Just because two people are in love doesn't …show more content…

Having a lot of money, being well dressed, and well behaved were all essential for marriage. Heathcliff strives for "a chance to be as he"( Bronte 56). In this case the he is Edgar. Edgar is the well mannered, well dressed one with money. Those are all characteristics that Catherine was looking for. Although she loves Heathcliff and believed that their love is real, she knew he wasn't right for her in the eyes of society's. This in no way was going to get in the way of Heathcliff trying to be with her. According to both Catherine and Heathcliff they are one and the same. Although she married Edgar, that doesn't mean that was the man she loved; "her love for Heathcliff resembled the eternal rocks beneath"( Bronte Page 82). Heathcliff sees her marrying Edgar as an ultimate betrayal. He looks at it as something that she did just to get back at him for treating her the way that he did. So to get back at her for what she did, he went and married Isabella Linton.
To Catherine, love is not necessarily being with the person that you love most in life. It is being with the person that can take care of you finically, and who has a high place in society. Though she loved Heathcliff with all of her heart, she knew she was meant to be with Edgar. In the end, although death was the only way for it to happen, she ended up with Heathcliff in the

Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Better Essays

    The Independence of Women in a Thousand Splendid Suns and Wuthering Heights
    • 1212 Words
    • 5 Pages

    The Independence of Women in a Thousand Splendid Suns and Wuthering Heights

    The two books I am comparing are Wuthering Heights and A Thousand Splendid Suns. Wuthering Heights is a novel written by Emily Bronte, her only novel which was first published in 1847 and was not well received at first as it was so dark compared to any other books in that era, many found the story “unlikeable and ambiguous.” It is set in the Yorkshire Moors. The basic idea of the story is a narrative of the events at Wuthering Heights in which a passionate love between Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff occurs and how it destroys everything around them. These two are one person, their minds are entwined. They will do anything to be with each other. Catherine, a free spirited, arrogant, spoilt woman. She is greedy in the way that she wants the best of both worlds in the way of men. She marries Edgar Linton so that she can have the status that she has always wanted “he will be rich, and I shall like to be the greatest woman of the neighborhood, and I shall be proud of having such a husband.” but whilst still being married to Edgar she believes that she can still have a relationship with Heathcliff who has been reduced to the status of a servant, she tells Nelly “It would degrade me to marry Heathcliff.” She is torn between Social ambition and her wild passion for Heathcliff, which brings misery to all of them. Living in the 18th century at the social background of middle class meant she is expected to marry someone of the same status as her or higher, anything below is deemed as unacceptable. As males inherit everything, if she married Heathcliff she would have nothing, and would be a social outcast. So really she has to marry Edgar is she wants to have an adequate life. She loves Heathcliff more than is imaginable "Nelly, I am Heathcliff! He 's always, always in my mind.” It will never change she will always long for him unlike her love for Edgar “My love for Linton is like the…

    • 1212 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Extremes Versus the Norms in Wuthering Heights
    • 1155 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Extremes Versus the Norms in Wuthering Heights

    The violent love of Heathcliff and Catherine reflects how extremes of emotion can heavily affect both of these character’s behaviours. This is because Catherine faces a battle against her body or nature in going with Heathcliff particularly when ‘Skulker has bitten her’ suggesting that at their union, only violence will ever come from it and the natural order is in disarray. The symbolism of the dog ‘Skulker’ is also important because the ‘Skull’ symbolises the hard durable part of the body, and that much like the skull, they will have to endure a hard struggle in order for their love to survive. Conversely, it could also suggest that Catherine is going against her brain in loving Heathcliff, and in doing so goes against social norms, which for her is normality. Moreover, Heathcliff’s name can be deconstructed into ‘Heath’ and ‘cliff’ both symbolising nature and the ‘cliff’ in particular represent a barrier to the destructive power of…

    • 1155 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Passionate Destruction: a Comparison of Wuthering Heights and Twilight
    • 1591 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Passionate Destruction: a Comparison of Wuthering Heights and Twilight

    Be it real or fiction, relationships are volatile cocktails of love, lust, honesty and secrets. There are the healthy ones that benefit both parties and protect them both from constant harm. In Wuthering Heights and Twilight we see examples of unhealthy relationships. These relationships always include more than the two people involved, are complicated and the people involved seem almost eager to hurt themselves and each other. Catherine and Heathcliff are the ultimate anti-love story. They are two people cut from the same cloth, both cruel, masochistic beings that enjoy inflicting pain upon themselves and others. Though Catherine says she is completed by Heathcliff, she marries Edgar Linton. Edgar is not much better than either Catherine or Heathcliff. He is solely devoted to his wife who is in…

    • 1591 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    'It is very difficult to feel anything but disgust at Cathy's behaviour in chapters 9 and 10 of Wuthering Heights.' To what extent do you agree with this statement?
    • 1110 Words
    • 5 Pages

    'It is very difficult to feel anything but disgust at Cathy's behaviour in chapters 9 and 10 of Wuthering Heights.' To what extent do you agree with this statement?

    Chapters 9 and 10 see Catherine Earnshaw confess her love for Heathcliff but ultimately agree to marry Edgar Linton for the betterment of her social status. Heathcliff is also transformed after three years, and it is obvious that both he and Catherine are still very much in love. Whether Catherine's behaviour in these chapters can be viewed as anything but disgusting is highly subjective, as 'disgust' is perhaps too harsh. In my opinion the better fitted word would be disappointed, however Catherine's demanding behaviour towards Nelly is that of disrespectful and this in turn can be interpreted as a disgusting behaviour.…

    • 1110 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Love Is Presented As An Emotion Which Provokes Violence Rather Than Tenderness
    • 1065 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Love Is Presented As An Emotion Which Provokes Violence Rather Than Tenderness

    Catherine’s instant feelings for Heathcliff further suggest that love is indeed presented as an emotion which provokes tenderness rather than violence. We’re able to decipher this from when…

    • 1065 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Literature
    • 2830 Words
    • 12 Pages

    Literature

    2. Why does Catherine accept Edgar's proposal when she knows Heathcliff is a part of her soul?…

    • 2830 Words
    • 12 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Wuthering Heights Allusions
    • 1361 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Wuthering Heights Allusions

    Vows that in the bible describe the life long bond that the two parts create and should never be broken unless sin was committed with another other than you husband/wife; in this situation though Edgar has stayed true to her, and has gone to hell and back for her. While on the other hand there’s Heathcliff, the love of her youth, the person who is likes her missing piece of her puzzle. That is until she denied him her love due to reasons that would be considered selfish. Now with the return of Heathcliff the spark is re-ignited and feelings that once lay dormant now arise to take strangle hold of here mind and judgment. This conflicting affects so much so that her heart is torn into shreds and her mentality has shifted a broad overlook of life as if it’s one shade and that shade is black, as described by Edgar, “Catherine had seasons of gloom and silence now and then: they were respected with sympathizing silence by her husband, who ascribed them to an altar-ness, as she was never subject to depression of spirits before.” By analyzing this passage it tells a tale of the life of Catherine. It helps to show that she wasn’t always depressed, and she never use to act like she does now; unfortunately that was until she married Edgar. It also shows the dispare she now feels that her love is gone for good and she is stuck with a person who she doesn’t love. Bounded by the vows of marriage. This passage also shows the inner most thoughts of Catherine as she lays in bed stricken by guilt, depression in a life that Heathcliff isn’t apart…

    • 1361 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Catherine And Heathcliff Addiction Quotes
    • 1960 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Catherine And Heathcliff Addiction Quotes

    The Story of Catherine and Heathcliff began when Catherine's father goes on a trip and instead of bringing back gifts he brings back a gypsy boy with dark skin and even darker hair. While others hated the newcomer, Catherine took a liking to him right away and they became inseparable. But after an injury Catherine or “Cathy” was forced to reside at the Linton’s, a pristine family who re-molded Cathy into a well mannered, well behaved, well spoiled girl. At her stay with the Linton’s Catherine learned about the value for money and social status. She realized that as much as she loved Heathcliff she would never marry him because he had no money or title, so instead she married Edgar Linton. An ill treated Heathcliff was devastated and ran away…

    • 1960 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Heathcliff's Insanity In 'Wuthering Heights'
    • 694 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Heathcliff's Insanity In 'Wuthering Heights'

    Heathcliff is treated terribly by all but Catherine, and she becomes his solace; his only friend. Her companionship is likely what kept him sane for longer. When she distanced herself, growing closer to the Lintons after staying there for several weeks (page 52), his attitude changed. Resentment and jealousy begin to form. She was not spending as much time with him, leaving him to endure whatever punishment Hindley forced on him. He was losing the one person he had left who seemed to care about him Therefore, when she announced she was going to marry Edgar Linton, he ran and did not return for years (page 84). While he was away, he probably lost sight of reason, of what he previously thought mattered. He was likely angry that she would leave him for someone he did not like; that she wouldn’t be with him. His madness only worsened when she died, as the thought of life without her was too much for him to bear. He caused her death by running off with Isabella. His madness led to Catherine’s lapse from reality. She lost her mind over his actions, and as a result he lost her. His madness was caused by love, as he didn’t know how to grieve. The message of spiritual love and torment that is present throughout the story is shown throught this aspect of Heathcliff’s madness. He loved Catherine desperately, and her death tormented him for the remainder of his…

    • 694 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    How Does Heathcliff Change In Today's Society
    • 973 Words
    • 4 Pages

    How Does Heathcliff Change In Today's Society

    They treat her like a princess by pampering her, and Heathcliff notices the “distinction between her treatment and [his]” (Brontë 54). As the novel continues, Catherine becomes conflicted between Heathcliff and Edgar. She does not know who she should marry. She loves Heathcliff but wants to marry Edgar for the materialistic things. She also says that it would degrade her to marry Heathcliff because of his low status in society.…

    • 973 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    How Does Heathcliff Change Throughout The Novel
    • 465 Words
    • 2 Pages

    How Does Heathcliff Change Throughout The Novel

    As described by Ellen, when Catherine arrived after five weeks of living in Thrushcross Grange, she was a completely different person. She was no longer that young, reckless, and mischievous girl that once existed; instead, she was now well-mannered and lady like. As Catherine was greeted by everyone, she looked around, searching for the only person missing, Heathcliff. As a result she asked in a demanding tone if Heathcliff was home. This word choice lets the reader realize and understand the relationship between Heathcliff and Catherine since Catherine was clearly very anxious and desperate too finally see him.…

    • 465 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Macbeth And Wuthering Heights Research Paper
    • 1001 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Macbeth And Wuthering Heights Research Paper

    The theme of destructive love with the relationship in shakespeare Macbeth and Wuthering Heights Is presented though sexium,jealousy,and betrayal. Writers present destructive love and how this affects relationships in Macbeth and Wuthering Heights. How do women get control in a relationship? Lady macbeth is a very controlling women and very outspoken person. She is a commanding , mean, -suicidal, hard loving , and despicable lady. Lady Macbeth wants sovereignty for her benefits to use against Macbeth. Also the mastermind behind all evil that is done in this novel.…

    • 1001 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    How Does Heathcliff Change In Wuthering Heights
    • 470 Words
    • 2 Pages

    How Does Heathcliff Change In Wuthering Heights

    In conclusion, Heathcliff and Catherine have a good relationship in this passage. However, class gets in the way and also appearances. They both looked opposite when they met: Catherine clean and mannered, rather than, Heathcliff was dirty and wild. These differences made Heathcliff have these emotions of denial during this passage. Paranoid with himself, Heathcliff made these accusations to Catherine in which they were not intended by her. As a result, it became a bumpy road to their…

    • 470 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    How Does Shakespeare Present Lady Macbeth
    • 1422 Words
    • 6 Pages

    How Does Shakespeare Present Lady Macbeth

    Even though she says she loves Heathcliff and believes he is her soul mate, she cannot marry him because he isn't socially prominent or wealthy. The power the women's have over their husbands , Starting with Catherine she Love Mr. Earnshaw's death, Hindley had turned Heathcliff into a common laborer and servant. There is too much of a gap in the couple's social status for Heathcliff to overcome. Their passion for each other cannot be denied, however, and Catherine even admits to Nelly she knows in her heart she shouldn't marry Edgar. This shows Catherine's biggest conflict in the novel, choosing between the passionate love she feels for Heathcliff or the safe, wealthy lifestyle that Edgar can provide…

    • 1422 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Byronic Hero Assignment
    • 750 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Byronic Hero Assignment

    | Heathcliff overheard Catherine say how it would degrade her to marry him and he left…

    • 750 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More

Related Topics