For all his Byronic

For only his Byronic / Gothic excesses, Heathcliff exists and steps out of the confines of fictioneasily(Evans 1982)He stands unredeemed neer once swerving in his arrow straight course to perdition(CBronte, 1847)With reference to these and other shewings of the eccentric person of Heathcliff, explore your own interpretation of this character.In your canvass you should* Consider the role and function of Heathcliff within the novel* Explore the characterisation* Consider the various interpretations of his character byA) Characters within the novelB) Critics* Make a personal response to the character.Teachers Name Mrs GowdyDateWhen Emily Bronte wrote Wuthering Heights, she received some(prenominal) criticism for the character of Heathcliff. Heathcliff was believed to be the complete opposite to what a Victorian Gentleman should beIt is close to definition of a gentleman to say he is one who never inflicts pain(Cardinal Newman, 1852)Her sister, Charlotte, could non understand why Emily had a character of such(prenominal) evil in her bookWhether it is right or advisable to create beings like Heathcliff, I do not k right off I scarcely intend it is. (1)Considering Emilys background, it is logical to see why Charlotte might feel like this. Emily was born July 30th 1818 at Thornton, near Bradford, Yorkshire, and was the fifth of six children born to Patrick Bronte and his wife maria Bran substantially. When she was 2 the family moved to Haworth, where Mr Bronte had been appointed the vicar. Except for short periods external as a student and later as a teacher, Haworth would remain her home for all her life. By the time she was seven, Emily had experienced three deaths in her family- her mother and her two older sisters, Maria and Elizabeth. Because of her reclusive life, she therefore might not be anticipate to know of such people to base the character of Heathcliff on. A suggestion for the way Heathcliff be weed is her brother Branwell, who was an stern ly and dabbled with drugs It would run through been impossible for Emily to render Hindleys alcoholic degradation and Heathcliffs ranting misery without the protracted spectacle of Branwells breakdown before her look day in and day out.(Katherine Frank, 1990)However, Heathcliff is a character who stirs emotions in the reader, and our sympathy returns to him once more and a realise passim the novel, despite his many violent deeds. But why? Why do we feel pity for a man who is presented as an condition of dark powers?We are introduced to Heathcliff right at the opening of the introductory chapter by Mr. Lock flirtd, (who ironically could be a type of the Victorian Gentleman,) who is delighted to discover that he is somewhat of a misanthropist like himselfMr. Heathcliff and I are such a suitable pair to divide the desolation between us(2)However, Mr Lockwood short discovers that Heathcliff is not all that he seems to be. Heathcliff winces at the mention of Thrushcross Grange, whe n Mr Lockwood inquires about it Thrushcross Grange is my own, sir he interrupted, wincing. I should not allow any one to inconvenience me, if I could clog it walk in (3)This suggests to the reader that this comment touches on a delicate part of Heathcliffs history, and is something in which he would rather keep secret. Lockwood in chapter two take a craps a vain attempt to be sociable with the tenants of Wuthering Heights, only to be laughed at by HeathcliffMy amiable lady he interrupted with an almost diabolical sneer on his face (4)Heathcliff is quite rude to Lockwood, and we can come to the conclusion that he was one who was not brought up with any manners. (This proves to be true later on in the book). Heathcliff clearly shows no sympathy toward him, and wishes for Lockwood to mind his own business.Mr Heathcliff may have entirely dissimilar causal agents for keeping his hand out of the way when he meets a would-be acquaintance, to those which actuate me (5)Bronte has chosen to keep this side in the dark, instead choosing to present him as a cold hearted recluse, only at first and then we are quickly shown his passionate side in chapter three.Mr Lockwoods character is naturally inquisitive, and therefore this episode with the landowner only makes Mr. Lockwood more interested in Heathcliff and his background.Catherines diary shows insight into Heathcliffs past and the way he was treated.Hindley is a detestable substitute- his conduct to Heathcliff is atrocious (6)From this, we can establish that Heathcliff was subject to hostility and was surrounded by harsh treatment. Hindley always saw Heathcliff as a threat to him, especially as he is the outsider in the family. Nelly reports to Mr. LockwoodHe bred bad feeling in the household and at Mrs. Earnshaws death the four-year-old master had visualiseed to regard his father as an oppressor rather than a friend, and Heathcliff as a usurper of his parents affections and his privileges and he grew rancor wit h brooding over these injuries. (7)Hindley, when they were boys, would thrash Heathcliff, and call him names such as Imp of Satan. Later on as young men, Hindley degrades him in scarecrow of Catherine, as he soon picks up on the fondness between the two, and makes him a servant. Naturally, this treatment he received had an effect on Heathcliff. Being this cold-hearted character is normal to him, having no other example of morals, except in Catherine. He rejects conventional Christian morality at an early age, (no thanks to Joseph whose methods of teaching the young children the Bible in a repressive and forbidding way could be questioned) and also fails to pick it up as an adult. This rejection of faith could be possibly the causal agency why he is always referred to in a diabolical way. He has chosen not to be Christian, and therefore the powers of darkness are now controlling him. Characters such as Mr Earnshaws comment on the impression of darkness he gives in the novel and of his tyrannical sadistic actions.Its as dark as if it came from the devil (8)It is almost as if he enjoys this evil impression he gives, and he learns he can attack peoples weaknesses, such as Hindley and his enjoyment of gambling, which he uses to his advantage to gain ownership of Wuthering Heights.You would imagine I was the devil himself- to excite such horror (9)Heathcliff is such a contrast to what men where like in the Victorian era, which as Cardinal Newman suggests Is mainly occupied in merely removing the obstacles which hinder the free and unembarrassed action of those about himcarefully avoids all clashing of opinion, or impact of felling, all restraint, or suspicion, or gloom or resentment his ample concern being to make everyone at ease and at home.It wouldnt be impress that the character was criticised, but Bronte did accomplish a much-debated character.Heathcliff does have emotions, and passionate ones at that, and this spurs him on in life. If Catherine was not a t Wuthering Heights at the beginning, Heathcliff would not have stayed very long and bore all the physical and emotional torment he was given. Catherine seemed to keep him there, and when he fled, it was only because she had deserted him for a gentleman. We see how much he truly shafts Catherine when Lockwood has his dreamHe got on to the bed, and wrenched open the lattice, bursting, as he pulled at it, into an uncontrollable passion of tears. Come in Come in he sobbed. Cathy do come. Oh, do- once more Oh My hearts darling Hear me this time, Catherine at last (10)Lockwood is startled at this and comments that he seemed so powerfully change and struggled to vanquish an excess of violent emotion. The desperation in Heathcliffs voice shows us how he grieves for a lost one. We are now shown that he is not so evil as he displays himself to be, but still carries some violent tendencies with him, even though that is not expected when you are grieving. However well-educated the love he ca rries for Catherine and his pain for her deserting him when they were young, we can understand why he reacts this way. The way Bronte uses this language to describe Heathcliff, makes him believable to the reader. Our sympathy lies with him, and Lockwood has now changed his perspective on Heathcliff, as has the reader.Nelly, like the reader, changes her opinion of Heathcliff according to the actions he does. When Nelly first met Heathcliff, she referred to him as it, she did not regard Heathcliff as a person due to his physical appearance. I had a peep at a dirty ragged childyet when it was set on its feet, its face looked older than Catherines (11)Nelly was a child when Heathcliff arrived, and childishly was jealous, along with Catherine and Hindley of having someone which did not look like them being part of the family.However as they both grow up together both have some kind of respect for each other, though it may be small at some times.Nelly fells sympathy towards Heathcliff dur ing the time of Hindleys harsh treatment, and was genuinely strike that he seemed so immune to it, as if it didnt affect him. However the reader knows that treatment like that does affect a person emotionally, and this cultivated a great resentment towards his tormentors.He seemed a sullen, patient child, hardened, perhaps to ill treatment (12)Her loyalties were torn between Heathcliff and Hindley, and we see her compassion for Heathcliff when he confides in her about Catherine. We learn that Heathcliff is completely devoted to Catherine. The nation of envying Catherine was incomprehensible to him but the notion of grieving her he understood completelySo much in fact she helps him fair(a) himself up, due to Heathcliff not caring about her appearance since Cathy left. Nelly is also Heathcliffs confidant. She tells him how Cathy is, and what her feelings are towards him. Nelly clearly understands how deep his love is for Cathy.Catherine plays an enormous part in Heathcliffs life, an d his love for her seems to be a redeeming feature. Catherine and Heathcliff become very thick when they are young, as Nelly comments to Mr Lockwood, and this weakness that Heathcliff has, this love for Cathy, is manipulated by Hindley as a means of punishment, and is also the reason in my mind why Heathcliff is so determined to seek vindicate. As Pinkmonkey, a literature Internet guide, points out in its character analysis of HeathcliffDuring adolescence, Heathcliff skillful now assumes that they will always be togetherThis assumption proves to be wrong. Edgar Linton proposed to Catherine, and she agreed, because she thought that Heathcliff was in fact, too uncivilised and uneducated to be her husband. Although this may sound egotistic to Heathcliff when he eavesdropped on the conversation between Nelly and Cathy, we find out soon that after her own interests, she intends to help him in the future. It would degrade me to marry Heathcliff now so he shall never know how much I lo ve him 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 (13)Cathy uses nature to contrast the two young men, and chooses a trees foliage for Linton. Foliage can be trimmed and blooms, which is what Cathy is feeling for Linton now, but she knows when the harsh weather and the seasons change, all the foliage will die. She knows that she wont love Linton eternally, and problems facing the two will speed up the process. Heathcliff however is symbolised as rocks and are not affected by the weather. Rocks are wild and jagged, which matches Heathcliffs personality, and when the bad weather comes, the rocks are not affected because they are strong. The last comment she says, a little visible delight but necessary. could mean she knows that Heathcliff is not likeable but she needs him, as he provides sturdy foundati ons for her.Unfortunately for Heathcliff, he never gets to hear this part of the conversation, and flees Wuthering Heights. This moment in Heathcliffs history symbolises his turning point, as a character. He now feels a great sense of loss and betrayal, and Heathcliff never forgives Cathy for what she does, but nevertheless still loves her as passionately as before.When he returns after three years, he finds that she has married Edgar Linton and is now mistress of Thrushcross Grange. His plans at first were to seek revenge on Hindley and merely check up on Cathy to see if she is happy. However his vile at seeing her again overwhelms him and he starts to torment the others, especially Isabella.Isabella is instantly attracted to Heathcliff, possibly because he has returned with an air of mystery around him, and seems dark and brooding. Linton is unhappy because he knew that his property could possibly fall into Heathcliffs hands if they should marry. Heathcliff at first, has no inte rest in her whatsoever, and is completely unaware of her affection towards him, until Catherine spitefully makes it known, embarrassing Isabella in the process. Heathcliff has no interest in Isabella, simply because he is still infatuated with Catherine. However the appeal of getting one over on Edgar is too great for him, and starts to woo Isabella.This infuriates Catherine and her husband, but Heathcliff only wanted to affect the latter. It seems that he blames Edgar for not being with Cathy, that if he had never been there as a child, Cathy and he would be together. at that place is also the possibility that Heathcliff, when he was younger was jealous of the social acceptance that others had. Heathcliff was picked on because he wasnt one of them- not actually be blood cogitate to the Earnshaws he was found on the streets of Liverpool. Now he has returned, gentleman in appearance, but still the same emotionally affected person, willing to wreak havoc on the people who mocked hi m.Isabella was warned about Heathcliff- but she chose to ignore it. She knows that by marrying Heathcliff it will anger Cathy who has a if I dont have him no-one can attitude, and will gain her revenge for embarrassing her. She truly believes that Heathcliff does love her. Catherine on the other hand knows deep inside that Heathcliff only loves her and cannot understand why he would like Isabella. Oh, the evil is that I am not jealous, is it? Well, I wont repeat my offer of a wife it is as bad as offering Satan a lost soul. Your cheer lies, like his, in inflicting misery. You prove it I begin to be at secure and tranquil and you, restless to know us at peace, appear opinionated on exciting a quarrel. Quarrel with Edgar if you please, Heathcliff, and deceive his sister youll hit on exactly the most efficient method of revenging yourself on me. (14)Heathcliff and Isabella run away together, but not before Heathcliff shows us his sadistic side Miss Isabellas Springer, Fanny, (was) suspended to a handkerchief, and nearly at its last gasp (15)Soon enough, the honeymoon is over, and Isabella realises just who her husband really is. He is cruel and violent, and Isabella questions Nelly in a letter about her husband Is Mr. Heathcliff a man? If so, is he mad? And if not is he the devil? (16)Abraham Lincoln once said If you want to test a mans character, give him power and this could be said for Heathcliff. Heathcliff gains power of Wuthering Heights by manipulating Hindley. Hindley at this point is an alcoholic and likes to bet. He loses his money through betting and is attracted to Heathcliffs newly found wealth, thinking he could win it. However, in the need Hindley dies deep in debt, and Heathcliff loaned him so much money that now he owns Wuthering Heights.Hindley still detested Heathcliff, even though he allowed him to stay there, and on many occasions as told to Isabella, has tried to kill him. We as the reader, however still think of Heathcliff with sympath y, even though we disapprove of his actions, especially towards Hindley and Isabella. We still remember his treatment as a child from Hindley, and so when he seeks out his revenge, we find it extremely difficult not to wish him success.By gaining this power, he is able now to control the future, by arranging marriages and so on. Catherine before she died, gave birth to young Cathy, and Isabella gave birth to young Linton in London. When she died, Edgar wanted to have custody of the child. However, Heathcliff has seen the possibilities and demands that he should come to live with him. afterward all, he is the father. Linton is quite the opposite of his father he is pale, weak and quite spoilt in his ways. When Heathcliff finally meets him, he does not even pretend to love him, he calls his mother a slut, and mistreats him. Im jealous of monopolising his affectionyes Nell, my son is the prospective owner of this place, and I should not wish him to die till I was current of being his successor. Besides, hes mine, and I want the triumph of seeing my descendant fairly lord of their estates my child hiring their children to till their fathers lands for wages. That is the sole consideration, which can make me endure the pup I despise him for himself, and I hate him for the memories he revives(17)Heathcliff arranges meetings between young Cathy and Linton because he knows that if they were married, his son could own Thrushcross Grange. Heathcliff then has to find some way to phone call it himself, and he was delighted to find out the Linton was in ill health without his interference. Heathcliff used emotional torment on Linton, who has a weak disposition anyway, to make him worse. He forces young Cathy to marry Linton for his benefit, which the young girl is not happy about, especially since her father is dying and Heathcliff wont let her see him. When Cathy shouts at him, through Nellys haggle we can see how Heathcliff is affected by Cathys words Heathcliff you are a cruel man, but youre not a fiend and you wont, from mere malice, destroy irrevocably all my happinessIve given over crying but Im going to kneel here, at your knee and Ill not get up, and Ill not take my eyes from your face till you look back at me No, dont turn away Do look Have you never loved anybody in all your life, uncle? never? Ah You must look once. (18)Heathcliff can see his Catherine in her daughters eyes, which is heart breaking for him, as he cant even bear to look at her. Heathcliff is not detested by Cathy, which also affects him emotionally. He shrigged his sholders shook himself, indeed, as if his flesh crept with aversion (19)I do not think he should inflict his revenge on the younger generation, simply because they were not to blame for the pain that Heathcliff bore in the past, especially Hareton, who is Hindleys son. Hindley was brought up badly by his father, who was always drunk and violent to him. Heathcliff wished to guide him up after his fathers de ath. Heathcliff treats Hareton in a way, which reflects the way Hindley treated him, except that Hareton is completely oblivious to the fact that this is happening to him, because he wasnt educated. So, Hareton, who should have been the finest gentleman in the area, is reduced to living at Wuthering Heights as a common, uneducated servant, friendless and without hope, and surprisingly he likes Heathcliff.As Heathcliff comes closer and closer to realising his final revenge, he seems more preoccupied with his memory of Catherine. The horrible image of Heathcliff uncovering her grave just to see her face shows us his depth of passion for her. I got the sacristan to remove the earth off her coffin-lid, and I opened it. I thought, once I would have stayed there when I saw her face again- it is hers yet- he had hard work to stir me but he said it would change if the air blew on it, and so I struck one side of the coffin loose, and cover it up not Lintons side, damn him I wish hed been sol dered in leadwhen Im laid there, and slide mine out too Ill have it made so and then, by the time Linton gets to us, hell not know which is which (20)The thought of Edgar and Catherines bodies decomposing together is too much for him. He states that he wants to be buried next to Catherine, and even punches a hole in her casket and asks that the same would be done to him so that their dust can mingle.Near the time of his death, he becomes more and more isolated from everyone and increasingly obsessed with his dead love, imagining that she is haunting him, and Heathcliff becomes more cheerful, and feels happy that when he dies he will be reunited with Catherine. I have neither a fear, nor a presentiment, nor a hope of death. Why should I? It is a long fight I wish it were over (21)It is only at this time he feels conciliate to her spirit that he abandons his cruelty towards Catherine and Hareton.Heathcliff is a truly interesting character and our sympathy lies with him, because we understand why he is so determined to seek his revenge on the people who opposed him in the first place.With regards to the quotations at the start of my essay, Heathcliff is a character who seems vivid. The manner in which he speaks and the emotion that he carries with him throughout the book makes him step out of the confines of fiction. We never really hate him for what he does, simply because we know why he does it. He was badly treated when he was younger, and this developed into revenge. Still, our sympathy lies with him. Charlotte Bronte may not have liked his arrow straight course to perdition but modern readers who read Wuthering Heights justify why, without prejudice.