The Stranger, By Emily Bronte Character Analysis

If one’s poor behavior is derived from years of abuse is it that person’s fault their behavior is poor? Meursault, the main character from Albert Camus’s The Stranger is an emotionally detached man, who lacks empathy and does not react the way most would in emotional settings. Heathcliff, from Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights is an angry man, with a complicated love-life. Due to the actions and personalities of these characters, they are often disliked. Although both are disliked, Heathcliff’s personality and behavior are the products of his poor childhood. Meanwhile, Meursault did not have this childhood, and perhaps has no reason for his behavior. Therefore, by comparing these characters, one can determine that Heathcliff is the preferred …show more content…
It is also worth noticing that even when Heathcliff was being abused “he would stand [...] without winking or shedding a tear” and “moved [...] only to draw in a breath, and open his eyes as if he had hurt himself by accident, and nobody was to blame” (38). This quote highlights the fact that Heathcliff would not express his emotions while being abused, which caused these emotions also built up through his life. Since these emotions were not express at the time they were felt, they also damaged Heathcliff’s mental state, which we see through his behavior. The reader should also notice that when Heathcliff was being abused, he reacted as if it was his own fault, or that “he had hurt himself’. Perhaps this means that Heathcliff blamed himself for being abused by others. Heathcliff was angry at himself for something beyond his control, and this may also be another reason for his poor mental health. This also gives the reader an opportunity to feel empathy for Heathcliff and understand his behavior. If Heathcliff had not been abused his whole childhood, and if he was able to express his emotions in a healthy way, he may behave differently as an …show more content…
This determination can be made since Heathcliff has suffered years of abuse and mistreatment since he was a young child. Heathcliff’s poor childhood causes him to be angry, bitter and even mistreat others later in life. Meursault did not have this childhood, nor was he raised to believe that murder is acceptable, and he did not have any reason to act this way. Although both of the behaviors of these characters are not favorable, it is important to analyze the cause of their behavior before deciding if one’s behavior is repulsive. Focusing of the cause of other’s behaviors can be beneficial to the audience’s life, as it is important to empathize before judging another