Heathcliff v. Catherine

I would like begin by saying I had higher hopes for Catherine and Heathcliff’s love and I am deeply grieved that they did not end up together but one can understand why they would have never worked. Catherine is too much of a spoiled brat that cared about her and her family’s social status instead of what she really wanted which was to be with Heathcliff. Poor Heathcliff. He was already abused physically and now he has his feelings manipulated by Catherine just to be thrown to the side when she did not need him. Reading Wuthering Heights was like watching a soap opera, the audience was held in suspense as to what was going to happen next. Catherine and Heathcliff’s tragic “love” is purposeful because Emily Brontё uses these characters to make a social commentary on the times. Brontё was commenting on the fact that many people during the time (cough cough Catherine) cared too much about social classes and what people would gossip about if one decided to marry outside of his/her social class. There is no doubt that Catherine loves Heathcliff but she blames Hindley, “[for bringing] Heathcliff so low, [she] shouldn't have thought of it [because] It would degrade [her] to marry Heathcliff now,” (Chapter 9, page 92). As a child, she ignored everyone else's dislike of Heathcliff because to a child, a social class means nothing. Heathcliff was just her friend and there was nothing stopping them from continuing as friends. Because this lack of restraints, their love flourished. But now Catherine allows Hindley's attitude and treatment of Heathcliff to change how she feels. There is no doubt that Catherine loves Heathcliff but the love she feels differs from his. She loves him but she is not willing to sacrifice everything she has to be Heathcliff while Heathcliff would die for Catherine.  In that sense, Hindley really gets what he wants by having Catherine betray Heathcliff. Catherine also thinks that Edgar is out of her league while she is out of Heathcliff’s but I disagree. Heathcliff is seen as the “villain” of the text but who wouldn’t be bitter if the woman you loved so dearly basically dropped you for a boy who is afraid of his own shadow? Heathcliff may not be rich like Edgar Linton but atleast he rely on papa and mama to defend him. Heathcliff is brooding and moody and he is twice the man that Edgar Linton is. Heathcliff  is far out of Catherine's league because he is (at first) a good person (mostly). He does not manipulate Catherine or use her for any purpose. The only thing Heathcliff is guilty of is loving Catherine unconditionally, and he paid for it.