Manipulation In Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights

The dictionary defines manipulation as “the influence or use of another, especially in an unfair manner, for one’s own benefit or advantage.” Although the manipulators often end up worse off in Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte, manipulation is the ever-present underlying evil readily dispersed in an attempt to influence opinions, to secure personal gain, and to cause injury to another.
Manipulation manifests itself in multiple forms throughout the novel. One way manipulation is subtly shown is through Nelly Dean. This begins at the beginning of her tale, as she introduces Heathcliff to Mr. Lockwood, calling him a "dark, dirty gypsy child.” At the beginning of her story, Heathcliff is not even referred to as a man, rather Nelly supplies the pronoun of “it. This is an attempt to influence Mr. Lockwood’s opinion of Heathcliff in a negative way. She also elaborates on Cathy’s beauty and attempts to gain his interest in her throughout the story. This is done in the hope that Mr. Lockwood would woo the young widow, and …show more content…
Hindley is the first to demonstrate this type of manipulation, by his treatment of young Heathcliff once Mr. Earnshaw died. This is his attempt to get revenge for the how Heathcliff used to blackmail and threaten him. Though he was the first to demonstrate this type of manipulation, Heathcliff would have to be the main user of manipulation for the purpose of injuring others. After the rejection by Catherine his sole purpose in life becomes revenge, and he spares no expense to obtain it. One way he goes about getting his revenge is gambling with Hindley Earnshaw once he returns to Wuthering Heights with some money. He successfully gambles Hindley out of all his money and his estate. When the death of Hindley places his child, Hareton, under Heathcliff’s care, the conditions that Heathcliff was raised in are repeated, thus getting total revenge on