Wuthering Heights- Heathcliff

In the beginning of the book, Heathcliff was introduced as a sweet, soft spoken, and quiet young boy. However, as the story progresses his character changes to become angry, hot tempered, selfish. These characteristics are so contrary that the reader may wonder how he had changed so much.

Upon Heathcliff’s arrival at Wuthering Heights, he was loved by Mr. Earnshaw and later by Catherine. His friendship with Catherine became very close and I believe that she was the reason for why he remained so happy. Eventually, though, his brother, Hindley, made Heathcliff work as a servant and would not allow him to be with Catherine. Around this time, he had first announced his hatred for Hindley (75-76). This feeling of hatred for being mistreated was one of the first emotions that would later mix with others and spark into something bigger.

One night, Heathcliff becomes upset when he hears his love, Catherine say that she could not marry him (101). Amid listening to the conversation, he ran away - for three years. When he finally arrives back, he is distraught to find that Catherine, or “his life” as he calls her (196), has married his enemy, Mr. Linton. Heathcliff feels betrayed by this. Catherine, who still loves Heathcliff, asks for him to forgive her. In return, Heathcliff replies, “…I forgive what you have done to me. I love my murderer-but yours! How can I?” (201). Catherine dies soon afterwards, which strikes Heathcliff hard. He says “…You said I killed you- haunt me, then! The murdered do haunt their murderers, I believe…Be with me always-take any form-drive me mad!” (208).

After Catherine’s death, his attitude becomes cold, and he is only seen happy and smiling at the end of the book. Feeling that his love would still be alive if it were not for Mr. Linton, he becomes consumed in taking over the Lintons’ house at Thrushcross Grange as payback. In the end, I believe that it is the loss of his childhood friend and love that altered his personality the most.

Bronte, Emily, Wuthering Heights. David Daiches. London: Penguin, 1985