Wuthering Heights Catherine example essay topic

In Wuthering Heights Catherine can often be seen to be portraying two different characters, and it is for this reason that she is referred to as having a "double character". In this essay it will be examined as to when this is the case, and possibly give explanation as to why she has developed them. Wuthering Heights is seen to be very hypocritical of the social conventions around the Victorian Era, the time when it was written. Bronte pays particular attention throughout the novel to the stigmas which surrounded males and more significantly females, in the way in which they were expected to look and act. In Victorian times, the women were repressed and often seen to be kept by their husbands, a theory which Catherine, and also Emily Bronte did not completely agree with or accept. In chapter 8 where Catherine is referred to as having a double character, Nelly Dean narrates that Catherine would almost change her personality depending on the company she was keeping.

When at home at Wuthering Heights, she was, "the queen of the countryside: she took no peer: and she did turn out to be a naughty, headstrong creature" This was unheard of at the time, and in most cases would have been suppressed at an early age, had she not had, "the bonniest eye, and sweetest smile, and lightest foot in the parish, and after all, I believe she meant no harm" Chapter 5 is significant in the way in which it shows Catherine, even though rebellious, to be a genuine character, who doesn't let any stereotypes restrict her from doing as she pleases. She plays in the fields with Heathcliff, by doing so breaking all female conventions at the time. When Cathy father Earnshaw is near death, her character remains "bold and saucy, still defying us with her ready words". When Earnshaw questions her defiance of femininity, "why canst thou not always be a good lass Cathy?" she yet again allows her rebellious nature to show, "why cannot you always be a good man, Father?" This is also an accurate example of the traditions and acceptable behaviour seen in the Victorian times. By "good lass" Earnshaw could also be referring to not just her mean streak, but her refusal to conform to the female conventions.

In chapter 7 however, Catherine, who had been residing at Thrush cross Grange whist her ankle healed, was seen to turn into a lady, "her manners much improved"with fine clothes and flattery, which she took so readily, so that instead of a wild hatless little savage jumping into the house, there lighted from a handsome black pony a dignified person with ringlets falling from the cover of a feathered beaver" This perhaps is the first time at which we are aware of the so called double character. She is almost seen to be on show at T.G., where she is not among her family and therefore feels that she must act more feminine than she has done up to this point. However, as soon as she is reintroduced to Heathcliff, when she returned to Wuthering Heights, we see a temporary revert to her former self, "catching glimpse of her friend in his concealment, flew to embrace him, so bestowed seven or eight kisses on his cheek" This is the first occasion when we realise that her reformed, mature and ladylike character is only used when required, and that it changes as and when is necessary. However, this chapter is seen to be a change, marking the end of what Heathcliff and Cathy used to have, and idealist world where they had solely each other. This is because Cathy has no moved partly into a different social sphere, which regrettably Heathcliff cannot follow. Catherines double character is very obvious in this chapter as it en captures both parts of the life which Catherine so eagerly wants to live.

Her desire to inhabit two worlds, the moors and the wilderness with Heathcliff, and the parlour and elegant lifestyle with Edgar Linton shows her double character, as neither life is similar. However, in the next chapters, we see the two characters nearly cross. Whilst preparing for a visit from Edgar, Heathcliff mocks her dressing up, "why have you got that silly frock on then?" And when Edgar arrives, though Heathcliff leaves, Nelly Dean stays on as chaperone, much to Catherines annoyance. She then, "supposing Edgar couldn't see her, snatched the cloth from my (Nelly) hand and pinched her, with a prolonged wrench, very spitefully on the arm" When Nelly tells Edgar, Cathy hastily denies it, "I didn't touch you, you lying creature" Therefore trying to conceal her other self, which some might argue is her true character. They manipulative way in which she pinches Nelly echoes this. Cathy later sums up this with her reference of her own blood being hotter than Edgar, referring to a difference in their personalities, hot and cold.

In conclusion, Cathy does portray a double character to suit two very different existences. One is for Edgar, who by being with conforms with all the Victorian ideas, restricting her in thought and deed, and the other for the love of Heathcliff, her natural self in which conformity is not even a thought, in which two people with such a bond can be together regardless of circumstances and social conventions.