Introduction
Heathcliff is the main character of the novel Wuthering Heights, written by the English writer Emilia Bronte. The reader first sees him in the scene when Mr. Lockwood, having moved to a new place of residence, decided to visit his neighbor, Mr. Heathcliff. The place of residence of the neighbor and the man himself made a mixed impression on the guest. A gentleman in dress and manner, Heathcliff was more like a gypsy with “black eyes”, and the protagonist’s house resembled the harsh abode of a simple farmer rather than the estate of a landowner (Bronte, 2017). The reader is immediately attracted by such a non-standard image of the main character.
Heathcliff and Catherine
The first meeting of these two characters took place in early childhood. From an early age, they were solid friends and never quarreled. Heathcliff was a wild, silent child, and at first, did not speak to anyone, as he was not a native child in the Earnshaw family. It was mentioned that “Catherine was much too fond of Heathcliff. The greatest punishment we could invent for her was to keep her separate from him” (Bronte, 2017). The young girl turned out to be the person in whom he found a native and understanding soul.
Heathcliff grew up sullen and unsociable, but the only person he cared about was his childhood friend. Catherine grew up to be a self-willed and unorthodox girl. The heroine had a selfish nature and was, one might say, the only person who was not afraid and did not shy away from the young man. The young men were alike in their immense and passionate love of freedom.
Heathcliff and Isabella
Isabella is a young, educated, well-mannered girl with whom fate played a cruel joke, introducing her to Heathcliff. The young woman “has not her natural advantages”, so the question of marriage was essential to her (Bronte, 2017). From the first meeting, Heathcliff ignored the young girl; however, wishing to take revenge on her brother, the protagonist enjoys sympathy for Isabella, and they marry. This union turns into an absolute hell for the naive girl. Isabella makes a mistake only once, succumbing to a momentary weakness, and allows herself to be taken to Wuthering Heights, but this decision ruins her life forever. Heathcliff has no sympathy at all for Isabella or their son.
Important Event for Heathcliff
The most important and tragic event in Heathcliff’s life was when Catherine chose another man as her life partner. Despite the strong feelings that both heroes had for each other, the girl understood that her childhood friend was uneducated and did not have the proper title. That is why, despite the sincere love of Heathcliff, Catherine leaves for another. This event throws the main character into shock and makes him a cruel person. A young man escapes from the city and returns only after a long time.
Psychological Changes in Heathcliff
The image of Heathcliff appears as a complex, contradictory personality, tormented by deep feelings and inner passions. From the very beginning, the main character bore the stigma of a rejected child, leading endless battles on the way to finding true masculinity and dignity. Initially having a complicated and strained relationship with others, Heathcliff’s soul is tightened by the loss of Catherine, and the hatred in the man’s soul only grows. The image of the protagonist is filled with conflicting feelings, leading against the established order. Such a tragic event as the death of a loved one puts the man in a sad and desperate state.
Where Heathcliff Leaves the Story
By the end of the story, Heathcliff is too tired and loses the ability to enjoy the destruction he has brought to others. All the terrible events of his life lead to the fact that the main character loses his mind. Even on his deathbed, the main thing for Heathcliff is his love for Catherine, and the character says that he “cannot look down to this floor, but her features are shaped in the flags!’ (Bronte, 2017). After the death of Heathcliff, calm and harmony ensues in Wuthering Heights.
Reference
Bronte, E. (2017). Wuthering Heights. Ripol Classic.