Heathcliff

Snowqueen · 12-19-2008, 01:56 PM

I completed the Wuthering Heights almost a year ago. The First thing that struck me towards the end of this novel is the change that occurs in Heathcliff’s character. Why suddenly he loses his appetite for revenge and why it seems as if he is foreseeing his death? He appears to be very remote from the rest of the characters.

amalia1985 · 12-19-2008, 05:51 PM

He develops a sense of forebonding. Perhaps, he comes to the point of realisation- as a tragic hero- and understands that he can no longer influence those around him. Especially, when he senses the feelings that have been developed between Hearton and Cathy, in the famous table scene, when Cathy "dares" to oppose him and accuse him (openly) of stealing her fortune and Hearton's. What he says to Hearton later is very significant, in my opinion, prompting him to go to Cathy, wondering how can he stand to be away from her. Perhaps, he sees his own love for Catherine in the face of the young love between Hearton and Cathy (even if it sounds a little bit romantic).

Adagio · 12-20-2008, 06:18 PM

I agree amalia. Also if you remember what happens at the start of the book - Catherine's ghost. A change within Heathcliff takes place after the scene where he begs her ghost to "Come in! Come in!" and then the candle light is blown out.

Snowqueen · 12-21-2008, 11:29 AM

Amalia and Adagio,
Thanks for sharing your views, but don’t you think Heathcliff seems to be more interested in his death and reuniting to Catherine rather than in his surroundings?

Adagio · 12-21-2008, 03:43 PM

Of course. Maybe the supernatural encounter gave him belief in the afterlife. He always wanted Catherine. His sobbing when kneeling in the room signifies how much he misses her. In killing himself he is leaving this world to join her in the afterlife (or so he believes). His lack of interest in his surroundings suggests something happened to him that night. Bronte's narrative leaves the reader to fill in the gaps. We don't know exactly what he saw in the room but his trance afterwards helps emphasis the powerful effect it had on him. This is the way i viewed the book.

12-19-2008, 01:56 PM	#1
Snowqueen Snowqueen Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Between the woods and frozen lake Posts: 295	Heathcliff I completed the Wuthering Heights almost a year ago. The First thing that struck me towards the end of this novel is the change that occurs in Heathcliff’s character. Why suddenly he loses his appetite for revenge and why it seems as if he is foreseeing his death? He appears to be very remote from the rest of the characters. Last edited by Snowqueen; 12-20-2008 at 02:12 AM.

12-19-2008, 05:51 PM	#2
amalia1985 Searching for..... Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Athens, Greece Posts: 4,590	He develops a sense of forebonding. Perhaps, he comes to the point of realisation- as a tragic hero- and understands that he can no longer influence those around him. Especially, when he senses the feelings that have been developed between Hearton and Cathy, in the famous table scene, when Cathy "dares" to oppose him and accuse him (openly) of stealing her fortune and Hearton's. What he says to Hearton later is very significant, in my opinion, prompting him to go to Cathy, wondering how can he stand to be away from her. Perhaps, he sees his own love for Catherine in the face of the young love between Hearton and Cathy (even if it sounds a little bit romantic). __________________ None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe that they are free. -Goethe

12-20-2008, 06:18 PM	#3
Adagio . Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 102	I agree amalia. Also if you remember what happens at the start of the book - Catherine's ghost. A change within Heathcliff takes place after the scene where he begs her ghost to "Come in! Come in!" and then the candle light is blown out. __________________ Only an idiot has no grief; only a fool would forget it. What else is there in this world sharp enough to stick to your guts? - Faulkner

12-21-2008, 03:43 PM	#5
Adagio . Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 102	Of course. Maybe the supernatural encounter gave him belief in the afterlife. He always wanted Catherine. His sobbing when kneeling in the room signifies how much he misses her. In killing himself he is leaving this world to join her in the afterlife (or so he believes). His lack of interest in his surroundings suggests something happened to him that night. Bronte's narrative leaves the reader to fill in the gaps. We don't know exactly what he saw in the room but his trance afterwards helps emphasis the powerful effect it had on him. This is the way i viewed the book. __________________ Only an idiot has no grief; only a fool would forget it. What else is there in this world sharp enough to stick to your guts? - Faulkner

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

12-21-2008, 11:29 AM	#4
Snowqueen Snowqueen Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Between the woods and frozen lake Posts: 295	Amalia and Adagio, Thanks for sharing your views, but don’t you think Heathcliff seems to be more interested in his death and reuniting to Catherine rather than in his surroundings?

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Heathcliff really father of Linton?	kos7365	Wuthering Heights	15	02-07-2009 07:56 AM
Heathcliff and Edgar	jackcoldrick	Wuthering Heights	21	10-03-2008 01:43 PM
power of choice determines fate	nicole	Wuthering Heights	2	02-27-2007 09:39 PM
What Does Heathcliff Do?	Wicket	Wuthering Heights	0	12-21-2006 03:57 PM
A review..	ja	Wuthering Heights	4	05-24-2005 07:07 PM