Non-African Prose-Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte - SS2 Literature Past Questions and Answers - page 1

Heathcliff is a complex and enigmatic character in "Wuthering Heights." Initially an orphaned child, he is brought to Wuthering Heights and grows up alongside Catherine Earnshaw. His character undergoes a transformation from a passionate and deeply in love young man to a vengeful and brooding figure. His desire for revenge against those who wronged him, especially the Earnshaws and the Lintons, shapes the entire novel. Heathcliff's character embodies the themes of love and revenge, illustrating how unchecked love can turn into a destructive force when fueled by hatred and vengeance.

Love is a central theme in "Wuthering Heights," particularly the passionate and destructive love between Heathcliff and Catherine. Their love drives much of the plot, yet it also leads to tragedy and revenge. Catherine's choice to marry Edgar Linton sets off a chain of events that ultimately destroys lives. The novel explores how love, when unchecked and consumed by obsession, can have devastating consequences, impacting not only Heathcliff and Catherine but also those around them.

Role of revenge in "Wuthering Heights"

Revenge is a central theme in Emily Brontë's novel "Wuthering Heights." It is the driving force behind many of the characters' actions, and it leads to a cycle of violence and destruction. The novel begins with Heathcliff, a young orphan, being mistreated by his new guardian, Hindley Earnshaw. Heathcliff vows revenge against Hindley and his sister, Catherine, who he loves. After Catherine marries Edgar Linton, a wealthy neighbor, Heathcliff spends the next two decades planning his revenge. Heathcliff's revenge is systematic and ruthless. He schemes to gain control of Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange, the two houses that Catherine loved. He also sets out to destroy the happiness of Hindley and Edgar's families. Heathcliff's revenge is ultimately successful, but it brings him no lasting satisfaction. He is left alone and empty, consumed by his hatred.