Evolution of Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights
Heathcliff, one of the central character of Wuthering Heights, evolves from an empathetic, innocent victim to a self-centered vindictive individual. This transformation is slow and develops in three distinctive parts. First, Heathcliff is sympathetically portrayed as an interloper. Next, he is characterized as an individual who is beginning to lose his innocence because he is coping with situations beyond his control. Finally, Heathcliff is a hardened man who manifests hostility and anger toward everyone. The change from victim to victimizer is what makes the novel interesting and timeless. It also hooks the reader because he or she identifies with the main character and recognizes elements of his or her own personal growth and development. Heathcliff is brought to Wuthering Heights as a dirty, ragged, gypsy boy, by Mr. Earnshaw, the master of Wuthering Heights. The orphan child is baptized with the name Heathcliff, the name of an Earnshaw baby that died at birth. As Heathcliff grows up, he is compared to a "cuckoo" by Mrs. Dean. A cuckoo is a bird who comes into a nest and takes the place of the natural siblings. Heathcliff, like a cuckoo, is an intruder who takes the place of a natural o
Early in the novel, Heathcliff is picked on by Hindly and he assumes a assertive and threatening posture. "You must exchange horses with me: I don't like mine: and if you won't I shall tell your father of the three thrashing you've given me this week, and show him my arm, which is black to the shoulder. " [Ch. 4 Pg. 34] Heathcliff knows that he is resented by Hindly and that he can do nothing to please him, therefore, he takes an offensive position and the hope that through intimidation Hindly will leave him alone. Believing that the best defense is a good offense, Heathcliff expresses his intent to gain the affection of his adopted father by aggravating Hindly, the natural son. Heathcliff uses Hindly's bad disposition to his advantage. Hindly never accepts Heathcliff and resents his placement into the family. Consequently, he abuses Heathcliff and slowly Heathcliff becomes hardened and bitter. These traits of distrust and bitterness set the tone of Heathcliff's life and eventual outcome of the book. The circumstances of Heathcliff's adoption alienate the other members of the family. Heathcliff is brought into a home out of love and pity, but because of the conditions that surrounded the humane acts of compassion, the love that began with good intentions ends in disillusionment and devastation. Despite Heathcliff's efforts to get along with everyone and be accepted by the family, he is continually put down and never truly excepted. He never resolves the fact that through no fault of his own, he will never be a true family member. The reader feels empathy for this poor child who has been taken to a strange home and thrown into a situation that he cannot win. He
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Approximate Word count = 1132
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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