Self Loyalty Demonstrated In Bronte

’s “Wuthering Heights” Essay, Research Paper

Self Loyalty as demonstrated in Bronte’s “Wuthering Heights”

Emily Bronte.s Wuthering Heights is a complex novel that ties together the deep, passionate characters and intricate themes that she is known for creating. One such theme touches on the results of honesty: self-integrity and unashamed self-honesty lead to a fulfilled lifestyle, though it may not necessarily be consistent with the socially defined term .full.. The analysis and comparison of three characters in Wuthering Heights.Hareton Earnshaw, Catherine Earnshaw-Linton, and Heathcliff, respectively.will further prove and reinforce this idea.

Hareton Earnshaw is a relatively underestimated character, one whose potential was not really explored until the end of the novel. His self-honesty was most vulnerably expressed through his hiding books in order to learn to read from them; this being self-honest in that it was the pursuit of a desire that would provide no immediate benefit outside of personal improvement. In addition to this, it was an act that, when found out, was mocked and belittled.

Likewise, many other examples of Hareton.s self-knowledge and self-honesty were acts done in private and afterwards punished in some form. At one point, in a response made to his cousin Cathy concerning the accusation that he hated her, Hareton asked, .why have I made [Heathcliff] angry, by taking your part then, a hundred times. And that, when you sneered at, and despised me . . .. (297).

This potential Hareton possessed for true, deep feeling even reached towards the person who had left him destitute early in life and who continuously treated him harshly, that person being Heathcliff. After Heathcliff.s death, Bronte uses the narrator to express Hareton.s sentiments:

.He sat by the corpse all night, weeping in bitter earnest. He pressed its hand, and kissed the sarcastic, savage face that everyone else shrank from contemplating, and bemoaned him with that strong grief which springs naturally from a generous heart . . . .. (318)

These moments, though they may have seemed to be detrimental to Hareton, ultimately provided him with a reputation and a means of expressing himself that he otherwise would not have been able to cultivate. His perseverance with learning and his unrelenting pursuit of Cathy.both acts resultant of his driven self-honesty.won him the girl of his desire in addition to a greater amount of confidence and self-respect.

The second character who demonstrates this same self-integrity is Catherine Earnshaw-Linton. Though she died midway through the story, Catherine.s personality was well developed, true to Bronte.s form. In her early childhood, Catherine was considered a manipulator and a spoiled child; those opinions matured as she matured: as an adult she was considered a manipulator and a spoiled wife. Though these traits are generally regarded as negative, they were Catherine.s honest traits, and she neither regretted them nor apologized for them.

The first example of Catherine.s self-loyalty was illuminated by the narrator in the beginning of the story. She was described as .a wild, wicked slip . . . but she had the bonniest eye, and sweetest smile, and lightest foot in the parish . . .. (45). Her adulthood was not much different; she continued to display such mutually exclusive characteristics, especially when attempting to get something that she wanted. A good example of this manipulative behavior was displayed multiple times by her feigning sickness in order to gain an edge of sympathy. In one instance, she stated blatantly,

.Nelly, say to Edgar, if you see him again tonight, that I.m in danger of being seriously ill. I wish it may prove true. He has startled and distressed me shockingly! I want to frighten him.. (116)

Another aspect of this self-honesty that Catherine possessed was displayed through her perpetual loyalty to her love for Heathcliff. She never relinquished her love for him; her marriage to Edgar Linton was a step towards securing Heathcliff as a gentleman. Even in Edgar.s presence, though she knew he cared little for him, Catherine scarcely attempted to disguise her show of affection. Edgar once remarked, in reference to Catherine.s behavior preceding a visit from Heathcliff, .Catherine, try to be glad, without being absurd!. (96).

Though she loved Heathcliff deeply, Catherine remained true to herself, even when that truth separated itself from her love. Once, after a spat between Edgar and Heathcliff, Catherine became legitimately ill and the latter came to visit her. She showed him no lenience, however, and said to him, .You and Edgar have broken my heart, Heathcliff! And you both come to bewail the deed to me, as if you were the people to be pitied! I shall not pity you, not I. You have killed me . . .. (155).

Despite the negative characteristics for which Catherine was known, she possessed those characteristics of self-integrity and self-honesty that allowed her to live freely and guiltlessly within herself. She had long been fulfilled in love by the time her death came; those two qualities were ones that enabled her to find the passionate love that she had found. She might have lived longer, had she not been true to herself, but it most likely would have been a long sad life that she did live, one without the deep feeling she consis