There are so many repetitions in Wuthering Heights that make the book seem very confusing. Not only are the characters all named similarly (Linton and young Cathy Linton, Catherine and Catherine), but the story essentially repeats itself twice with the two generations of characters. Hindley terrorizing Catherine and Heathcliff parallels Heathcliff terrorizing Hareton, young Cathy, and Linton. In both cases, there is a problem with the males not being “up to par” with what is expected of a husband. For young Heathcliff, the problem is that he is an orphan who is often dirty and rowdy. The Lintons even refuse to have their children be near him because of his behavior and appearance. Hindley is the most against him, even calling him an “imp of satan” (Bronte 65). In the second situation, Hareton seems acceptable at first. However, the reader soon finds out that he is uneducated and cannot even read. Linton is even worse, having horrible behavior and always being sick and weak.
Furthermore, in both situations, the female character ends up revealing her love for the improper men. Before Catherine dies, she pours her heart out to Heathcliff. Cathy is left at a happy ending, about to be married to Hareton. None of the men are angry with the lady for previously marrying another man. They accept the woman’s decision and admit that they still love them. Nelly Dean also plays an important role in both situations and helps guide both Catherines through their decisions and acts as a guardian to keep the girls safe. The older Catherine comes to Nelly when Edgar has asked her to marry him and young Catherine is with Nelly during her initial visits to Wuthering Heights. With the older Catherine, Nelly listens to her debate about marrying Edgar. She loves Heathcliff and says that his and her souls “are the same” (Bronte), but he is looked down upon by Hindley. Nelly tries to keep the younger Catherine away from Wuthering Heights to protect her from Heathcliff, and reasons with her when she finds the hidden letters to Linton. In both generations, Nelly is there to listen and advise to the best of her abilities.
Heathcliff and Hindley are fairly similar in both instances. They both have a drinking problem which adds to their violence. Hindley refuses to give Heathcliff an education and makes him work among the servants. Heathcliff does the same with Hareton, never teaching him to read or write. Both abusers add to the improperness and primitive behaviors of the other men.
Overall, the story of Wuthering Heights is the same situation repeated with two different sets of characters. The similarities can be seen by the issue of civilization versus primitivism, the outcome of the problem, the influence of Nelly Dean, and the similarities between the abusive characters. At first, Wuthering Heights can be a little bit confusing because of all of the repetitions and similarities between characters. However, the book ended up being enjoyable once analyzed and sorted out.
Works Cited
Brontë, Emily. Wuthering Heights. New York: Scholastic, 1961. Print.
