I wonder if the people and environment around us develops our personality.? As I was reading Wuthering Heights I think is Heathcliff naturally evil or maybe is it his life experiences and the people around him that shaped him to be so cold heartened.
In the beginning of the novel he seems to be a quiet and well behaved child but we see that after Mr.Earnshaw's death he becomes awful. Personally, I think Hindley is the encouragement behind Heathcliff's sudden aggression. Hindley sends him off to the servants quarter, leaving him degraded in Catherine's eyes. When Cathy comes back from the Grange Hindley instructs Heathcliff to do this, "You may come and wish Miss Catherine welcome, like the other servants." (Bronte, 56). I think Heathcliff's anger and harshness towards Hindley is justified because Hindley was very cruel to him. However Heathcliff's cruelty towards Hareton and Edgar is unnecessary. Edgar did not purposely marry Catherine to get revenge on Heathcliff, he did it because he loved her. Heathcliff talks about harming Edgar, "I would strike him with my fist, but I'd kick him with my foot, and experience considerable satisfaction." (Bronte, 115). Heathcliff's aggression towards Hareton is a little extreme. I do not think it is fair for Hareton to pay for his father's actions.
Similarly in real life, people behave they way they are treated. If a child is abused and does not receive any love then is more likely that they will have a lower level of low self-esteem and will bully others to raise their own self-esteem. When a child is raised with positive nurture and confidence then they will have a greater social life and more success in the future.
People are raised differently and experience life differently. But it does not give them the right to abuse and put others down. You have the choice of moving on or continuing to have a estranged relationship with yourself and others. I understand this is easier said then done but it is always worth it to put in a decent amount of effort in bettering yourself.
In the beginning of the novel he seems to be a quiet and well behaved child but we see that after Mr.Earnshaw's death he becomes awful. Personally, I think Hindley is the encouragement behind Heathcliff's sudden aggression. Hindley sends him off to the servants quarter, leaving him degraded in Catherine's eyes. When Cathy comes back from the Grange Hindley instructs Heathcliff to do this, "You may come and wish Miss Catherine welcome, like the other servants." (Bronte, 56). I think Heathcliff's anger and harshness towards Hindley is justified because Hindley was very cruel to him. However Heathcliff's cruelty towards Hareton and Edgar is unnecessary. Edgar did not purposely marry Catherine to get revenge on Heathcliff, he did it because he loved her. Heathcliff talks about harming Edgar, "I would strike him with my fist, but I'd kick him with my foot, and experience considerable satisfaction." (Bronte, 115). Heathcliff's aggression towards Hareton is a little extreme. I do not think it is fair for Hareton to pay for his father's actions.
Similarly in real life, people behave they way they are treated. If a child is abused and does not receive any love then is more likely that they will have a lower level of low self-esteem and will bully others to raise their own self-esteem. When a child is raised with positive nurture and confidence then they will have a greater social life and more success in the future.
People are raised differently and experience life differently. But it does not give them the right to abuse and put others down. You have the choice of moving on or continuing to have a estranged relationship with yourself and others. I understand this is easier said then done but it is always worth it to put in a decent amount of effort in bettering yourself.
Discussion Question
Do you think Heathcliff is justified in abusing Hareton even after Hindley is dead? Is it fair for him to suffer for his father's actions?