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Wuthering Heights

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Relationship between Heathcliff and Catherine in Wuthering Heights
The central theme of Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte is the relationship between Heathcliff and Catherine. The problem of the bond between Heathcliff and Catherine and its significance remains the central mystery of the novel till the very end. In fact, the novel is a revengeful love story of Heathcliff.

Catherine is the daughter of Mr. Earnshaw and Heathcliff is a pickup boy by Mr. Earnshaw from the slums of Liverpool. Mr. Earnshaw treated Heathcliff like his own child. As children, Cathy and Heathcliff seem to represent the spirit of freedom rebelling against the tyrannical authority and religious bigotry of Hindley and Joseph. Their love was infinite which draws them together irresistibly. Heathcliff repeatedly calls Catherine his soul.

Catherine and Heathcliff love is based on their shared perception that they are the same. Catherine famously declares, “I am Heathcliff,” while Heathcliff upon Catherine’s death, wails that he cannot live without his soul, meaning Catherine. Both Heathcliff and Catherine love each other profoundly. Yet some ambiguity is noticed in both Cathy’s speech and action.

Cathy and Heathcliff are creatures of the wild moorland where conventional social standards are meaningless. After meeting with Edgar Linton, Cathy develops an interest towards him. She now seems to be equally interested in Edgar and Heathcliff. But there remains a striking contrast between them as far as looks, behavior, refinement is concerned. Cathy gets in dilemma about both of them because one is her earlier love and the later with more refinement and behavior.

Cathy decides to marry Edgar for his social status and social standards. Indeed he is handsome, young and cheerful. But she informs Nelly, the house keeper, of her feelings towards Heathcliff saying,
“Nelly he is more myself than I am.

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