In the classic tale by Emily Brontë, Wuthering Heights, there are many doubles as well as opposites between the characters, subtle themes, and imagery make up the complex yet intriguing story. With such a unique family tree and diversity between the families and houses, it can appear to be overwhelming to delve into the complexities of similarities and differences between the characters, but what unites all of these characters together is the common theme of the nature of love, whether it is romantic or sibling of sorts. The structure in which Brontë writes her novel, where the characters, settings, and conflicts are often placed in pairs, makes for a unique take on a love genre, by using a structure of duality that allows it to stand out amongst
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Throughout the text, it is apparent that the two are connected romantically on a much deeper, more spiritual level than the average love affair. Catherine explains to Nelly regarding Heathcliff, “…he is more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same; and Linton’s is as different as a moonbeam from lightning. Or frost from fire.” (Brontë, 75) It is obvious that these two are the most significant relationship in the novel as their feelings for each other easily reflect the novels theme of love versus hate as they represent a deeper element to the emotion than just emotional attachment. In a way, the love between the two can be perceived as them being “spiritual twins” in a sense. However, these two aren’t the only characters with striking similarities and …show more content…
They are both very much similar, although they themselves do not recognize it, in the sense that they both lack an education, and both end up falling for women that fall out of their associated social class. Despite these similarities, the reader is able to see just how opposite they are as well such as when Heathcliff is interacting with Hareton. Instead of feeling compassion for him because he doesn’t have a sympathetic father-figure in his life, Heathcliff keeps treating Hareton very harshly, similar to that Hareton received from Hindley, his father. This crude behavior is expressed after Hindley passes away, when both Heathcliff and Hareton attend the funeral service as the housekeeper describes, “He had the hypocrisy to represent a mourner: and previous to following with Hareton, he lifted the unfortunate child on to the table and muttered, with peculiar gusto, ‘Now, my bonny lad, you are mine! And we 'll see if one tree won 't grow as crooked as another, with the same wind to twist it!’" (Brontë, 176) Since Hindley is no longer around, Hareton is unfortunately left to suffer under Heathcliff. However, the fact that Hareton is able to distinct himself from his father is a reflection of his love for Catherine and his own strength of character, something that really differentiates the two characters from each
Throughout the text, it is apparent that the two are connected romantically on a much deeper, more spiritual level than the average love affair. Catherine explains to Nelly regarding Heathcliff, “…he is more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same; and Linton’s is as different as a moonbeam from lightning. Or frost from fire.” (Brontë, 75) It is obvious that these two are the most significant relationship in the novel as their feelings for each other easily reflect the novels theme of love versus hate as they represent a deeper element to the emotion than just emotional attachment. In a way, the love between the two can be perceived as them being “spiritual twins” in a sense. However, these two aren’t the only characters with striking similarities and …show more content…
They are both very much similar, although they themselves do not recognize it, in the sense that they both lack an education, and both end up falling for women that fall out of their associated social class. Despite these similarities, the reader is able to see just how opposite they are as well such as when Heathcliff is interacting with Hareton. Instead of feeling compassion for him because he doesn’t have a sympathetic father-figure in his life, Heathcliff keeps treating Hareton very harshly, similar to that Hareton received from Hindley, his father. This crude behavior is expressed after Hindley passes away, when both Heathcliff and Hareton attend the funeral service as the housekeeper describes, “He had the hypocrisy to represent a mourner: and previous to following with Hareton, he lifted the unfortunate child on to the table and muttered, with peculiar gusto, ‘Now, my bonny lad, you are mine! And we 'll see if one tree won 't grow as crooked as another, with the same wind to twist it!’" (Brontë, 176) Since Hindley is no longer around, Hareton is unfortunately left to suffer under Heathcliff. However, the fact that Hareton is able to distinct himself from his father is a reflection of his love for Catherine and his own strength of character, something that really differentiates the two characters from each