The presentation of Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights – Is he an Anti-Hero?
Heathcliff’s arrival and treatment
In the first part of the story, you can definitely feel confused about Heathcliff and Brontë has done this in an astute way. She describes him as a feral animal .He is described as a dark, shadowy person. Heathcliff was Mr. Earnshaw’s favorite even over his own kids Cathy and Hindley, and this made Hindley feel jealous. This is indicated by the quotation, “I had a peek at a dirty fogged black head chill, big enough to walk and talk”. This embodies the idea that Heathcliff treated as though he were an animal because people surrounding him looked at him in disgust. As well as this Heathcliff shows some traces and traits of an Anti-Hero aspect. This is epitomized by the quote, “You must exchange…show more content… Who wouldn’t be; he is poor and under the power of Hindley. This is because of the quote, “It would degrade me to marry Heathcliff.” This elucidates the point that Cathy is still believing that Heathcliff will be forever poor. And that Hindley will always vitiate him and hence degrade her. But she could marry Linton and help him rise above his brother. This is evoked by the quotation: “You think me a selfish wretch, but, did it ever strike you that, if I married Heathcliff, we would be beggars? Whereas if I marry Linton, I can aid Heathcliff to rise and place him out of my brother’s power?” This establishes a sense of pity. And that Cathy felt Heathcliff and herself would be poor if they married. Nevertheless, if she married Edgar she could rise with him. This means her drive towards a husband is money and not her soulmate. This creates the feeling she was delusional, that she was in-over-her-head. And the fact Heathcliff heard her say; “It would degrade me to marry Heathcliff…” triggered the whole story. And it was the turning point for Heathcliff’s character and in retrospect Cathy’s as
