Compare and contrast the characters of Heathcliff and Edgar Linton in Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights
Heathcliff and Edgar Linton are two of the
most prominent characters in Emily Bronte's "Wuthering Heights."
While both are central to the story, they represent very different worlds and
values. In this essay, we will compare and contrast these two characters,
looking at their personalities, their relationships with other characters, and
the roles they play in the novel.
1. Personality
Compare and contrast the characters of Heathcliff and Edgar Linton in Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights:-Heathcliff is a complex and often
enigmatic character. He is introduced as a foundling, taken in by the Earnshaw
family at a young age. While he is initially a shy and withdrawn child, he soon
becomes fiercely independent and self-reliant. As an adult, Heathcliff is brooding,
violent, and vengeful. He is driven by his deep love for Catherine Earnshaw,
which borders on obsession, and his desire to get revenge on those who have
wronged him.
Edgar Linton, on the other hand, is
the complete opposite of Heathcliff in many ways. He is polite, well-mannered,
and refined. He is the heir to Thrushcross Grange, a wealthy and prestigious
estate, and he is used to a life of comfort and luxury. Unlike Heathcliff, who
is driven by his passions and emotions, Edgar is rational and level-headed.
2. Relationships
Heathcliff's relationships with
other characters in the novel are often fraught with tension and conflict. He
has a deep and intense love for Catherine Earnshaw, but their relationship is
complicated by social and economic barriers. Catherine eventually marries Edgar
Linton, which sends Heathcliff into a spiral of anger and despair. Heathcliff
also has a tumultuous relationship with Hindley Earnshaw, Catherine's brother,
and he seeks revenge on him by taking control of Wuthering Heights and
mistreating Hindley's son, Hareton.
Edgar, on the other hand, has a
more stable and predictable relationship with other characters in the novel. He
is kind and caring towards his sister Isabella, and he is a loving husband to
Catherine, even though she does not reciprocate his feelings. Edgar's main
conflict in the novel is with Heathcliff, whom he sees as a threat to his
family and his way of life.
3. Roles
Compare and contrast the characters of Heathcliff and Edgar Linton in Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights:-Heathcliff and Edgar play very
different roles in the novel. Heathcliff is the driving force behind much of
the plot. His desire for revenge on those who have wronged him leads to a
series of violent and tragic events, including the deaths of several
characters. Heathcliff also serves as a symbol of passion and wildness, in
contrast to the refined and orderly world of Thrushcross Grange.
Edgar, on the other hand, serves as
a foil to Heathcliff. His polite and civilized mannerisms stand in sharp
contrast to Heathcliff's brooding and violent personality. Edgar's role in the
novel is to represent the world of wealth and privilege, which is contrasted
with the harsh and unforgiving world of Wuthering Heights.
In conclusion, Heathcliff and Edgar
Linton are two very different characters in Emily Bronte's "Wuthering
Heights." Heathcliff is brooding and vengeful, driven by his passions and
emotions, while Edgar is polite and rational, representing the world of wealth
and privilege. Their relationships with other characters are also very
different, with Heathcliff's being fraught with tension and conflict, while
Edgar's is more stable and predictable. Despite their differences, both
characters play important roles in the novel, serving as symbols of different
aspects of human nature and society.
Summary
Emily Bronte’s novel
"Wuthering Heights" is a classic work of English literature that
tells the story of the intense and turbulent relationships between the Earnshaw
and Linton families. The novel is set in the moors of Yorkshire, England, and explores
themes of love, revenge, class conflict, and the destructive power of passion.
The novel opens with Mr. Lockwood,
a London businessman, renting Thrushcross Grange from Mr. Heathcliff, the owner
of the neighboring property, Wuthering Heights. Lockwood is intrigued by the
moody and enigmatic Heathcliff, and soon becomes embroiled in the complex web
of relationships that surrounds him.
Also Read:-
- How does T.S. Eliot use imagery in The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock
- Analyze the role of women in Shakespeare's Hamlet
- Discuss the use of irony in Jonathan Swift's A Modest Proposal
Through a series of flashbacks, the
reader learns the backstory of the Earnshaw and Linton families, beginning with
the arrival of Heathcliff as a young foundling at Wuthering Heights. Heathcliff
is taken in by Mr. Earnshaw, the patriarch of the family, and forms a deep and
intense bond with Earnshaw’s daughter, Catherine. However, Catherine’s brother,
Hindley, resents Heathcliff’s presence and treats him cruelly, setting the
stage for the revenge that Heathcliff will seek throughout the novel.
As Catherine and Heathcliff grow
older, their relationship becomes increasingly complex and fraught with
tension. Catherine is torn between her love for Heathcliff and her desire to
marry Edgar Linton, a wealthy and respectable gentleman who represents a way
out of the poverty and hardship of her upbringing. Ultimately, Catherine
chooses to marry Linton, a decision that sends Heathcliff into a spiral of
anger and despair.
Heathcliff becomes consumed by his
desire for revenge, and sets out to destroy those who have wronged him. He
marries Edgar’s sister, Isabella, in a bid to gain control of the Linton
family’s wealth and property. He also mistreats his own son, Linton, whom he
sees as a reminder of Catherine’s betrayal. Ultimately, however, Heathcliff’s
obsession with revenge leads to his own downfall, as he becomes increasingly
isolated and consumed by his own bitterness and anger.
Compare and contrast the characters of Heathcliff and Edgar Linton in Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights:-The novel ends with Heathcliff’s
death and the reconciliation of the surviving characters. Catherine’s daughter,
Cathy, marries Linton’s son, Hareton, symbolizing the possibility of a new
beginning and a new generation unburdened by the sins and mistakes of the past.
"Wuthering Heights" is a
complex and multi-layered novel that explores a wide range of themes and
issues. The novel is known for its vivid and evocative descriptions of the
natural world, which serve as a powerful backdrop to the intense emotional drama
that unfolds throughout the story. The moors are a symbol of both the wildness
and freedom of the natural world and the harsh and unforgiving landscape of the
characters’ lives.
The novel is also known for its
complex and ambiguous characters, who defy easy categorization or moral
judgment. Heathcliff, in particular, is a controversial and divisive character,
admired by some for his passionate intensity and condemned by others for his
cruel and vindictive nature. Catherine is similarly complex, torn between her
conflicting desires and loyalties.
The narrative structure of
"Wuthering Heights" is also notable for its complexity and
fragmentation. The novel is narrated by several different characters, each of
whom provides a different perspective on the events of the story. This
fragmented narrative structure adds to the sense of mystery and ambiguity that
permeates the novel, and allows the reader to explore the conflicting emotions
and motivations of the characters.
In conclusion, "Wuthering
Heights" is a powerful and enduring work of literature that explores
themes of love, revenge, and the destructive power of passion. The novel’s
complex and multi-layered narrative
FAQ.
Q. When was "Wuthering Heights" first published?
Ans. "Wuthering Heights"
was first published in 1847 under the pen name "Ellis Bell." The
novel was initially met with mixed reviews, with some critics praising its
intense emotional power and others criticizing its dark and violent themes.
Q.
What is "Wuthering Heights" about?
Ans. "Wuthering Heights"
is a complex and multi-layered novel that explores themes of love, revenge,
class conflict, and the destructive power of passion. The novel is set in the
moors of Yorkshire, England, and centers around the relationships between the
Earnshaw and Linton families.
The novel's protagonist,
Heathcliff, is a foundling taken in by the Earnshaw family at a young age. He
forms a deep and intense bond with Catherine Earnshaw, but their relationship
is complicated by social and economic barriers. Catherine eventually marries
Edgar Linton, which sends Heathcliff into a spiral of anger and despair.
Heathcliff seeks revenge on those who have wronged him, leading to a series of
violent and tragic events.
Q.
Who are the main characters in "Wuthering Heights"?
Ans. The main characters in "Wuthering Heights" include Heathcliff, Catherine Earnshaw, Edgar Linton, Nelly Dean (the housekeeper at Thrushcross Grange), and Hindley Earnshaw (Catherine's brother).
0 comments:
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.