How does Emily Bronte present Heathcliff in the novel Wuthering Heights?

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How does Emily Bronte present Heathcliff in the novel Wuthering Heights? The novel Wuthering Heights is a gothic tale of love, loss, and redemption. Heathcliff who is one of the lead characters is presented to the reader in many forms throughout the novel. He is portrayed as a man who loves a woman, vindictive and as an outcast. He is also very demanding and appears to be an evil person. During Heathcliff's early years at the Earnshaws home, it is obvious that Heathcliff shows his vindictive form at an early age. His friendship with Cathy is tested when Edgar Linton arrives for dinner. Heathcliff is jealous of Edgar's class and charm so it is no surprise that when Edgar jokes about him Heathcliff would retaliate. We are told by the narrator that "the seized a tureen of hot apple sauce dashed it full across his face" which gives the reader the evidence to assume that this is how Heathcliff will act all his life. The words used in the phrase contain a little impact - the word 'seized' could suggest that he could not help himself, he had to get back at him to impress Cathy and to show he could not be joked about. Later on in the novel, it is made known to us that he would do far worse things to avenge his harasser. It is said "he would have tried to remedy the mistake by smashing Hareton's skull on the steps" to make Hindley mad. The overall impact of the phrase is extremely harsh. The word smashing stands out particularly because to smash something you need to use a great force. After the death of Mr Earnshaw when Heathcliff was young, Hindley became head of the house. Upon his arrival, Hindley "drove him from their company to that of the servants" and "deprived him of the instructions of the cu... ... middle of paper ... ...cruelty in Heathcliff because he hates his son for no reason and is perfectly happy to fill Lintons last moments with terror and despair. When Cathy remarks "I care nothing for his anger", Lintons responds "but I do. Don't provoke him against me, Catherine, for he is very hard." The language used makes us sympathetic towards Linton, as he fears his father. The word 'provoke' seems to stand out mostly because this could mean that Lintons thinks Catherine would tell of him to his father which would get him into trouble - this does not show trust. In conclusion I think that Heathcliff is a troubled man through his past has had bad experiences but somehow manages t turn around his life and take his anger out on other peoples lives in turn affecting them. It is true however, that Heathcliff really did love Catherine and wished to be with her even after death.

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