The main conflict in Wuthering Heights is Heathcliff's revenge towards the Lintons. The conflict slowly begins when Heathcliff, after having been gone for three years, returns to find his love, Catherine Earnshaw married to Edgar Linton (Bronte 118). At first, Heathcliff is allowed to come for a visit, but this arouses anger and jealousy in Edgar since Catherine seemed to be very fond of him. During the visit, Edgar made it clear to Heathcliff that he is not welcome anymore (Bronte 146). I think that Edgar acted this way because he did not want Heathcliff to steal his wife's heart. The conflict increases when Heathcliff married Edgar's sister, Isabella to make her suffer in Edgar's place for the time being (Bronte 185). However, Heathcliff seems to become his worst after hearing of Catherine's death. This realization was very depressing for him; he had lost his best friend and love. When he was informed of her death, he even begged her spirit to haunt him forever, saying "You said I killed you haunt me, then! The murdered DO haunt their murderers, I believe. I know that ghosts HAVE wandered on earth. Be with me always take any form drive me mad! I CANNOT live without my life! I CANNOT live without my soul!" (Bronte 213). Somehow, I think that Heathcliff tricked himself into believing that Edgar was responsible for Catherine's death. In addition to his hatred for Edgar now, Heathcliff still did not like him from their strife during his visit to Thrushcross Grange. For whatever reasons, Heathcliff's will for revenge against the Lintons grows stronger. He even made his son marry Catherine Linton so that he would gain control of the Linton estate after Edgar Linton dies (Bronte 404). The conflict does not really end until the end of the book when Heathcliff dies and Catherine is free to marry Hareton after Linton's death.
Bronte, Emily, Wuthering Heights. David Daiches. London: Penguin, 1985
No comments:
Post a Comment