Wuthering Heights - The relationship between Catherine and Heathcliff

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  • Created by: zhutt12
  • Created on: 11-07-19 13:38

How is their relationship first presented?

During this first introduction of Catherine and Heathcliff together in Wuthering Heights, arguably the two character’s roles are reversed. Catherine is presented to be the violent of the two characters, while Heathcliff is a quiet, passive individual.

Upon his return from Liverpool, Catherine asked her father to buy her a whip. This in itself is a symbol of violence, which may suggest that she has a tendency for violence. This mean-spirited nature is reinforced with her reaction to Heathcliff, when “she showed her humour by grinning and spitting at the stupid little thing”.

The insulting spit at Heathcliff shows a clear distaste for the character and from this interaction alone, one would assume that the two would not get along, yet alone love one another.

It may be argued that the bias narrator, Nelly, is enforcing her own opinions upon this interaction, as it may be her opinion that Heathcliff was a “stupid little thing”, unworthy of being seen as a person, and instead is declared a “thing” as opposed to it being the view of Catherine. Regardless, it is clear that Catherine does not like Heathcliff in this initial interaction, setting the couple up for a difficult relationship.

Strains upon their relationship

The societal pressure of marrying for a higher class weighs down upon Catherine .

Within the Victorian society, social class was considered to be of the highest importance. Therefore the upper class would tend to marry within or above their social class in an attempt to climb the social ladder. Marrying outside of their class would often result in exile or scandal, which is shown through the relationship between Heathcliff and Isabella. However, had Catherine decided to marry Heathcliff rather than Edgar, she would have likely found herself to be in the same position that Isabella found herself in, disowned from her family and isolated from society.

It leads to the question, which is more important to an individual, true love or social acceptance? This was the main strain placed upon the pair. Catherine, an individual “full of ambition,” became enchanted by the Linton’s elegance and way of life. It can be argued that her “ambition” to be the best version of her within society led her to choose to marry Edgar over Heathcliff as his social standing would allow Catherine to prosper and flourish in a way in which Heathcliff could never offer to her. It would “degrade” her to marry Heathcliff, despite the

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