The predominant theme of the novel is the destructive effects of revenge and resentment, Bronte utilizes the characterization of Heathcliff and Hindley to develop the theme. The overall effect of such intense and comprehensive characterization is that it emphasizes the caustic consequences of passionate and cruel revenge.
Bronte first introduces the theme through the characterization of Hindley and his abusive behavior towards Heathcliff. Not only does his acts of violence against Heathcliff signify the beginning of the cycle of vengeance that is perpetuated throughout the novel but it also exhibits the damaging effects that resentment and revenge have on familial relationships. “Hindley hated him … he would stand Hindley’s blows without …show more content…
Hindley was so blinded by his resentment of Heathcliff that he could not see the irony of his actions, had he not treated Heathcliff so poorly in their youth then Heathcliff would not have returned to seek vengeance upon him. This event epitomizes the effects of resentment because Hindley’s malice blinded him of his hypocrisy and caused him to lash out in violence and anger only to fail in his murder attempt. Hindley’s malice not only destroyed his relationships and corrupted his mental state by causing him to lash out in uncontrollable violence, but it also caused his physical appearance to decay. The effects of Hindley 's resentment is apparent in his malformed physical appearance “a tall, gaunt man, without neckerchief, and otherwise extremely slovenly; his features were lost in masses of shaggy hair that hung on his shoulders; and his eyes, too, were like a ghostly Catherine’s, with all their beauty annihilated“. (Bronte 119) Bronte emphasizes the true destructive extent of Hindley 's hate with the use of powerful diction that describes a image of a shattered shell of man full of nothing but bitterness and malcontent. Not only did his hatred destroy the beauty of his eyes, …show more content…
Through this imagery Bronte pontificates the annihilative consequences of vengeance and how it not only destroys one physically but how it also destroys one’s soul.
Heathcliff is used to develop the theme through his characterization. A significant characterization of Heathcliff is when Catherine declares that “Heathcliff is: an unreclaimed creature, without refinement, without cultivation: an arid wilderness of furze and whinstone. I’d as soon put that little canary into the park on a winter’s day, as recommend you to bestow your heart on him!” (Bronte 89) This extensive insight into Heathcliff’s cruel and heartless nature truly cultivates an image of devil like cruelty and guile that
Bronte first introduces the theme through the characterization of Hindley and his abusive behavior towards Heathcliff. Not only does his acts of violence against Heathcliff signify the beginning of the cycle of vengeance that is perpetuated throughout the novel but it also exhibits the damaging effects that resentment and revenge have on familial relationships. “Hindley hated him … he would stand Hindley’s blows without …show more content…
Hindley was so blinded by his resentment of Heathcliff that he could not see the irony of his actions, had he not treated Heathcliff so poorly in their youth then Heathcliff would not have returned to seek vengeance upon him. This event epitomizes the effects of resentment because Hindley’s malice blinded him of his hypocrisy and caused him to lash out in violence and anger only to fail in his murder attempt. Hindley’s malice not only destroyed his relationships and corrupted his mental state by causing him to lash out in uncontrollable violence, but it also caused his physical appearance to decay. The effects of Hindley 's resentment is apparent in his malformed physical appearance “a tall, gaunt man, without neckerchief, and otherwise extremely slovenly; his features were lost in masses of shaggy hair that hung on his shoulders; and his eyes, too, were like a ghostly Catherine’s, with all their beauty annihilated“. (Bronte 119) Bronte emphasizes the true destructive extent of Hindley 's hate with the use of powerful diction that describes a image of a shattered shell of man full of nothing but bitterness and malcontent. Not only did his hatred destroy the beauty of his eyes, …show more content…
Through this imagery Bronte pontificates the annihilative consequences of vengeance and how it not only destroys one physically but how it also destroys one’s soul.
Heathcliff is used to develop the theme through his characterization. A significant characterization of Heathcliff is when Catherine declares that “Heathcliff is: an unreclaimed creature, without refinement, without cultivation: an arid wilderness of furze and whinstone. I’d as soon put that little canary into the park on a winter’s day, as recommend you to bestow your heart on him!” (Bronte 89) This extensive insight into Heathcliff’s cruel and heartless nature truly cultivates an image of devil like cruelty and guile that