Wuthering Heights

Author: (English) Bronte (Bronte/E.) / Liu Bangli
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-01-01
Features: The novel depicts the story of Heathcliff, a Gypsy orphan adopted by the old master of Wuthering Heights, who seeks revenge on the landlord Edgar Linton and his children after being humiliated and failing in love, leading to wealth and returning to exact vengeance. The entire story is filled with a strong spirit of fighting against oppression and striving for happiness, yet it is always shrouded in a mysterious and tense romantic atmosphere. Initially, it was seen as the naive fantasy of a young female writer detached from reality. However, combined with the intense class struggle in the region it portrays and the social phenomena of England, it was soon highly acclaimed by critics and warmly welcomed by readers. In the northern hills of England, there lies a nearly isolated "Wuthering Heights." One day, the master Earnshaw brings home an orphan from the street and adopts him, naming him Heathcliff, allowing him to live with his son Hindley and daughter Catherine. Heathcliff and Catherine grow up together, developing a love for each other, but Hindley despises him deeply. After the old Earnshaw's death, Hindley becomes the master and not only forbids Heathcliff from seeing Catherine but also subjects him to constant abuse and humiliation. This persecution intensifies Heathcliff's hatred for Hindley while deepening his love for Catherine. One day, Heathcliff and Catherine secretly leave the estate and meet Edgar Linton, the young master of Thrushcross Grange. This seemingly gentle and refined wealthy young man falls in love with Catherine's beauty and proposes to her. The naive and immature Catherine agrees to marry Linton, hoping to use his family's wealth to help Heathcliff escape Hindley's oppression. Upon learning of Catherine's marriage, Heathcliff is heartbroken and leaves in anger. Years later, a handsome and distinguished guest arrives at Thrushcross Grange. It is the long-lost Heathcliff, now wealthy, who has returned to his hometown. His sole purpose on this return is to exact revenge on those who once persecuted him and took away his beloved. Hindley is a dissolute and profligate young man, indulging in drink and gambling, squandering the estate left by the old Earnshaw. When he sees Heathcliff's return, he invites him to stay at Wuthering Heights, mortgaging the remaining property to him, and becoming his servant. Heathcliff becomes a frequent visitor to Thrushcross Grange. Isabella, Edgar's sister, sees him as a legendary hero and runs away with him. He imprisons and tortures her, venting his frustrations. After Catherine marries Linton, she realizes her husband's hypocrisy and feels deep regret. Heathcliff's triumphant return pushes her into a abyss of sorrow and shame. In despair, she falls ill and soon dies, leaving behind a daughter, Cathy, born after only seven months of pregnancy. Isabella escapes Wuthering Heights after Catherine's death and settles in the suburbs of London, where she gives birth to a son, whom she names Linton Heathcliff. Less than half a year after Catherine's death, Hindley dies in a drunken stupor, and his young son Hareton falls into Heathcliff's hands. Heathcliff intends to further exact revenge on the child, "raising" him to be a savage, making him endure the same hardships he suffered in childhood. Twelve years later, Isabella dies in a distant land, and Heathcliff brings his son back. The boy resembles his uncle and is elegant but selfish. Heathcliff despises him deeply. Time passes, and Cathy grows into a graceful young woman. On her 16th birthday, she accidentally meets her uncle Heathcliff, whom she does not recognize. When Heathcliff realizes that this young woman is the daughter of his beloved Catherine and his enemy Linton, love and hatred churn within him, forming a new pattern of revenge: marrying her to his son to legally claim the Linton estate. When Linton is on his deathbed, Heathcliff forces Cathy to hastily marry his son. A few days later, Linton dies, and Heathcliff once again becomes the master of Thrushcross Grange. The young Heathcliff also disappears shortly after his marriage, leaving Cathy immersed in grief. By then, Hareton is 23 years old, resembling the young Heathcliff in every way, though deprived of education and lacking warmth, he is kind, loyal, and elegant. Cathy falls in love with him. Heathcliff had hoped to see them hate each other, but to his surprise, they fall in love. He resolves to break them up. However, when he observes them more closely, scenes of Catherine and his past love flash before his eyes. At this moment, his hatred fades, and love prevails. He cannot bear to carry out further revenge. He decides to seek Catherine. On a stormy night, he leaves the world with an empty heart and a heart filled with the bitterness of human suffering, laughing maniacally after his act of revenge.