Emily Brontës Wuthering Heights :: essays research papers

The intensity of feeling between Catherine and Heathclif defies family barriers imposed by Catherines brother ,Hindley subsequently their fathers death. Heathcliff was ill-treated by Hindley after the death of the old Earnshaw He drove him from their company to the servants, deprived him of the instructions of the curate He bore his degradation middling well at first, because Cathy taught him what she learnt, and work or play with him in the fields. They both promised fair to grow up as rude as savages, the young procure being entirely negligent how they behave, and what they did, so they keep clear of him and the after punishment grew a mere thing to laugh at. The crute might set as many chapters as he pleased for Catherine to get by heart, and Joseph might thrash Heathcliff till his arm ached, they forget everything the minute they were together again. (Pg 44) Thus, it is clearly evident that since childhood their feeling for each other defies all the family barriers imposed on them. No outside force would be strong enough to eclipse their emotions. eventide when she grows old enough for the question of marriage to arise, Catherines relationship with Heathcliff remains much as it was when they were children. The way the two spirit intertwined are clearly illustrated in Catherines manner of speaking below My great miseries in this world have been Heathcliff"s miseries my great thought in living is himself. If all else perish, and he remained, I should still stretch forth to be and if all else remained, and he were annihilated, the Universe would turn to mighty stranger. I should not seem a part of it. My love for Linton is like the foliage in the woods. Time will change it, Im 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-Hes perpetually in my mind-not as a pleasure, any more than I am always a pleasure to myself-but, as my own being-so, dont talk of our separation again-it is infeasible Catherine loves both Heathcliff and Edger Linton on different basis-She loves Linton because he is handsome, and pleasant, and young, and cheerful, and rich, and loves her. Her love for Heathcliff is a must it is the deepest impulse of her nature, it is "necessary". Through her feeling for Heathcliff, Catherine discovers her own identity, her place in the world-as he does through her.