Bedside Lamp English Learning Reader I: Wuthering Heights (English-Chinese Contrast)

Author: Mao Ronggui
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-05-01
Features: In northern England, there is a place called Wuthering Heights. Its owner, Earnshaw, adopts an orphan and names him Heathcliff. Heathcliff lives with Earnshaw's son, Hindley, and daughter, Catherine (Cathy). Heathcliff and Cathy grow up together and develop a deep love, but Hindley despises him. After Earnshaw's death, Hindley becomes the master of Wuthering Heights and does everything in his power to make life difficult for Heathcliff, deepening their hatred. However, Heathcliff's love for Cathy remains unchanged. The son of the owner of the nearby Thrushcross Grange, Edgar, proposes to Cathy. The naive and immature Cathy agrees to marry Edgar, hoping to use his family's wealth to help Heathcliff escape his brother's persecution. Upon learning that Cathy plans to marry Edgar, Heathcliff leaves in anger. Several years later, a handsome and dignified guest visits Edgar's house. It is Heathcliff, who had disappeared, now wealthy, returning to his hometown. His only purpose for this return is to seek revenge. After losing his wife, Hindley falls into the habits of alcoholism and gambling. When he sees Heathcliff return wealthy, he invites him to stay at the estate. Heathcliff takes advantage of Hindley's vices and easily acquires his entire fortune. Edgar's sister, Isabella, sees Heathcliff as a legendary hero. Heathcliff marries her through deceit and treats her cruelly after the marriage. Isabella leaves him after realizing his true nature and later gives birth to a son, Linton. Cathy dies in childbirth, giving birth to a daughter, Cathy. After Isabella's death, Heathcliff takes her son back and manipulates him into falling in love with Cathy. When Linton falls seriously ill, Heathcliff abducts Cathy, forces her to marry his son, and seizes the entire estate of the Linton family, completing his revenge. Linton dies soon after, and Cathy falls in love with Harry, Hindley's son, which goes against Heathcliff's wishes. Meanwhile, Heathcliff is tormented by Cathy's ghost, unable to sit or lie down. He sees his younger self reflected in the eyes of Harry and Cathy. Love conquers hatred, and he cannot bear to continue his endless revenge. He decides to find Cathy. On a stormy night, filled with emptiness and the bitterness of life, he calls out the name of his beloved Cathy and leaves this world.