Awareness of The Reality of The Real World

Over the years, Cathy has grown up without a mother in her life, causing Nelly to fill that role. Nelly understands that it is her responsibility to take care of both Cathy and Edgar without interfering with their own relationship. When children are young they are most vulnerable and naive, which is why Nelly was so protective of Cathy. Because Cathy was so sheltered and love, she did not realize the reality of the real world. Now that she is a woman, she has been brutally exposed to reality and cannot be sheltered by Nelly and Edgar any longer. Cathy has become so dependent on other people that she does not understand true happiness and “content.” The lack of responsibility and independence in her life has caused her to seek shelter in others who will protect her and ultimately live her life for her.

Nelly and Edgar do not want Cathy to live under Heathcliff’s roof because they know the evil men that he and his sons are but they also realize that Cathy cannot fend for herself, forcing her to live with someone whom Nelly and Edgar despise. The conflict between Cathy’s dependence on others and independence shows the importance of class because in this time period, women of Cathy’s background were dependent on men for survival. Because Cathy has grown up in a sheltered home with Nelly caring for her, she does not understand true independence, causing her to have to live through others if it meant her own livelihood is protected.

Because Heathcliff has no true family, he lives his life vicariously through Linton and Hareton. Hareton, Hindley’s son, has a very similar background to Heathcliff, causing Heathcliff to have sympathy for him. Heathcliff wanted Hindley to live the life he himself never had, which is why he was such a predominant father figure over the years. His history of abandonment and anger was set aside if it meant that he could protect Hindley who was like a future Heathcliff. Once his son Linton arrived, he wanted nothing to do with him because he resembled his enemy, Edgar, and allowed one of his many grudges to get in the way. Despite his love and affection towards Hareton, Heathcliff’s greed overcomes him once he realizes that Linton can be used to manipulate Cathy and destroy Edgar’s life.

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Heathcliff’s history of abandonment has caused him to be a defensive man who only fends for himself, allowing him to viciously manipulate anyone who walks into his life. He has left Hareton to work for him because he knows that he cannot get anything out of him in the end. Linton’s poor health only helps Heathcliff because he can manipulate Nelly and Cathy into falling for Linton and giving up all of Cathy’s life and property to Heathcliff. Without realizing it, Heathcliff has created a vicious cycle of love and abandonment for Hareton that he himself was once in. Bronte uses Heathcliff’s plan to use his sons for his own personal gain as character development to show that despite his own experiences, stubborn Heathcliff will never learn for the better from them. This also shows the effect of class in the novel’s society. Heathcliff was a poor orphan who understood the value of life because he had nothing else to live for.

Once he was taken in and given power due to his background and anger, he was able to manipulate others to climb to the top of the social ladder. Now that he has moved up, he has lost sight of what really matters in life and only values the material and wealth of life. Nelly is the one who raised Heathcliff just like she raised Cathy. She took him under her wing and protected him from anyone who planned to do him any harm. Nelly is very protective of the ones she loves because as her role as caretaker, she must learn the importance of love and nurture in someone’s life. Nelly is the one who took care of Heathcliff and stood by his side, much like he has done for Hareton. Despite Nelly’s love and affection, Heathcliff has been ungrateful for all she has done in his life, causing Nelly to resent the man he became. Nelly was the only motherly figure in his life but he does not see her as a mother, he only sees her as a servant.

Not only is Nelly offended by Heathcliff’s arrogance, but she is appalled at the fact that he does not recognize her for who she really is. Nelly’s pride has protected her from the fact that Heathcliff wants her out of the picture but she will not leave if it means Cathy and Edgar will have nobody to depend on. Nelly is a prideful character who does not let others selfish ways interfere with her own well-being. Her love and affection allow the ones she loves to feel empowered, but it ultimately leads to their demise due to the fact that they have lost a sense of reality. This is why Heathcliff’s power has overtaken his emotions and Nelly fears that the same will happen to Cathy, which is why she wants to keep her instead of handing her off to Heathcliff.

Hareton is a mirror image of Heathcliff. Because Hareton has been taken in by Heathcliff, Heathcliff is the only real father figure he knows. Heathcliff’s lack of affection towards others has caused Hareton to be neglected by him which Heathcliff knows has occurred. Hareton is Heathcliff’s pawn in his entire scheme because Heathcliff knows that taking care of Hareton will help him secure ownership of Wuthering Heights and eventually Thrushcross Grange. Hareton’s lack of love throughout the years has caused him to become an angered person because he does not know true affection. He has also suffered from a lack of education from Heathcliff because Heathcliff did not want to help enlighten someone who could not ultimately help him succeed in the future.

Nelly is there to comfort Hareton and he can confide in her because she sees Heathcliff and Hareton. Hareton does not know how to care for himself and must seek help from other people, causing him to live an unconventional sheltered life. Bronte uses Hareton to show that what you put out is what you receive. Because Heathcliff is such a horrible person, Hareton has turned into a Heathcliff by default. Nelly shows love and motherly nature towards Hareton, causing him to reciprocate and appreciate Nelly in his life. Hareton must fend for himself with his lack of power, causing him to live alone and aimlessly at Wuthering Heights.

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