Patel Reema Patel D. Yautz AP 12 Comp./Lit. November 28, 2011 Wuthering Heights What is a classic novel?

Emily Brontes Wuthering Heights is the epitome of a classic novel. According to the Merriam- Webster Dictionary, a classic serves as a standard of excellence and is

historically memorable. Brontes use of the universal themes of love and revenge makes Wuthering Heights one of the best novels of all time. The two protagonists of this novel, Heathcliff and Catherine, have a special love-hate relationship. They truly do love each other, but they test each others love with acts of revenge and betrayal. Heathcliff was adopted into the Earnshaw family and was Catherines adopted brother. They both enjoyed each others company but yet they annoyed each other. When Heathcliff loses his best friend and soul mate to Edgar Linton. Heathcliffs anger over Catherines new love makes him vengeful against Catherines brother Hindley Earnshaw for torturing him as a kid. First, the story of Heathcliff and Catherine is told by, Nelly, the maid of the Wuthering Heights Estate (the Earnshaw residence). Nelly recollects the story of Heathcliff and Catherine to Lockwood, a new tenant of the Wuthering Heights Estate. Nelly tells Lockwood that

Patel Catherine was, much too fond of Heathcliff. The greatest punishment we could invent for her was to keep her separate from him (Bronte 44). Here, Bronte shows the universal theme of love between these two characters. As a child, Catherine could not bear to

be away from Heathcliff, but she always wanted something more out of love. In addition, after Catherine accepts Edgars marriage proposal, she confesses to Nelly that she and Heathcliff are one in the same. Catherine expressed, It would degrade me to marry Heathcliff now; so he shall never know how I love him; and that, not because hes handsome, Nelly, but because hes more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same, and Lintons is as different as a moonbeam from lightning, or frost from fire (Bronte 80). Catherine does not marry Heathcliff because she fears they are too alike and that she does not necessarily love him with all her heart. She is confused about love and chooses to marry someone who is different and who has potential to gain her love. This theme of love shows that in life, everything is not always black and white and that there are always shades of gray in certain situations. This novel is considered a classic because almost every woman could relate to Catherines complex of love. Love is universal theme of literature that always impacts someones life in a profound way. Consequently, revenge is also an important theme in Wuthering Heights in which classifies this piece of literature as a classic novel.

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Revenge is portrayed best by Heathcliffs relationship with his adoptive brother Hindley. As they were growing up, Hindley was awfully mean to Heathcliff and did not accept his and Catherines relationship and was jealous of Heathcliffs and his fathers special bond. Early on in the novel, Hindley sought revenge against his Heathcliff because he was no longer his fathers only source of attention. Nelly recalled, the young master had learned to regard his father as an oppressor rather than a friend, and Heathcliff as a usurper of his parent's affections and his privileges; and he grew bitter with brooding over these injuries (Bronte 38). Hindley actions toward Heathcliff made Heathcliff vengeful against his own brother. Since Heathcliff lost his love, he focused all his energy into obtaining Hindleys money and property. Obtaining the Earnshaws Wuthering Heights Estate and the Lintons Thrushcross Grange Estates were Heathcliffs main goals. He wanted to be powerful so Catherine would no longer look at Heathcliff as a poor, classless man. Also, Heathcliff explained, I'm trying to settle how I shall pay Hindley back. I don't care how long I wait, if I can only do it at last. I hope he will not die before I do! (Bronte 55). Heathcliff took advantage of Hindleys alcohol and gambling problems and began to extort money out of him and eventually leaving Heathcliff the owner of Wuthering Heights. Heathcliff finally gets revenge over Hindley by stripping him of all his power and glory. Revenge is a universal theme in which everyone has either experience or portrayed.

Patel In essnence,