Heathcliff's Defilement In Wuthering Heights By Emily Bronte

In the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 15, verse 18, Jesus tells his disciples that “the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart and these defile them.” In James chapter 3, verse 6, it is seen that “The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.” These words speak truth to Heathcliff’s life in the novel Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte as he struggles with the defilement of his own heart. As another page is turned it is seen how the defilement does not only affect his life but others around him as well. From beginning, middle, and end we see the progression of Heathcliff’s defilement.
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The love Heathcliff has for Isabella only lasts for as long as it takes to make Edgar and Catherine jealous and upset. Which was part of his plan since he knew he could no longer marry Catherine since she is married to Edgar, and that much more Heathcliff can make Edgar mad by marrying Isabella. Heathcliff puts up a good front to make Isabella fall in love with him, but he begins to be cruel to her while at Wuthering Heights. So much that she feels the only way to get out of her situation is to kill Heathcliff. As Catherine is dying, Heathcliff demands Nelly to allow him to go to Thrushcross Grange to see her, terrified to say no she agrees to take a letter for him to Catherine. Not only is it seen Heathcliff being demanding and disrespectful to the people he has control over but anyone who is in contact with him. Those around Heathcliff fear what he might do allowing them to fall into the pressure of fear. “I have not one word of comfort – you deserve this. You have killed yourself” (162). Heathcliff even tells the one he truly loves that she deserves the pain she is in while she is dying for all the pain she is putting him through by choosing to marry Edgar over him. After Catherine dies, Heathcliff’s love for Catherine is seen when he wants her spirit to haunt him for the rest of his days. While its creepy it makes sense for Heathcliff to want this because all he has ever wanted was for Catherine to spend the rest of her life with her. If that means through a spirit, then that’s what Heathcliff wants. Through his anger and progression of revenge on Hindley, the arguments never fail to end up in Heathcliff hurting someone else for the relentless reason to get back at everyone who has anything to do with Edgar, Hindley, or