Obsession in Wuthering Heights
The twisted tale of two lovers permeates through the gloomy Yorkshire moors in Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights. Catherine and Heathcliff’s feelings towards one another clout their minds to the point of obsession, as their childhood relationship blossoms into something that neither one can handle. Throughout Wuthering Heights, Emily Bronte reminds of how their misfortunes, recklessness, and destructive passions are all centered around their obsession for one another.
With many enemies and few friends, Heathcliff immediately notices Catherine’s interest, which eventually blossoms into an obsessive force from which neither can escape. Heathcliff is subjected to isolation almost immediately upon his arrival to Wuthering Heights. Arriving a “dirty, ragged, black haired child,” Heathcliff displays his strength early on, as he is subjected to a multitude of prejudices. He is seldom allowed to play with his counterpart Catherine as a young boy, as his nemesis Hindley does everything in his power to keep the two apart. The limited interaction with Catherine makes his feelings for her even stronger.
Heathcliff’s eventual marriage to Isabella is not a product of love, rather a malicious act caused by his driving obsession for Catherine. He precedes to ruin his poor wife’s life, as well as stripps her of her entire inheritance. The following actions that ensue are increasingly malicious, as the reader sees the digression of Heathcliff, as he becomes a madman driven more and more by his obsession for Catherine.
At times it is difficult to believe that Heathcliff really is obsessed by a love for Catherine, or if he is simply driven by his hatred and thoughts of revenge. This notion is quickly found to be inconceivable upon Catherine’s death. The passing of time does not dim his love or obsession for Catherine, “Be with me always- take any form- drive me mad! Only do not leave me in this abyss, where I cannot find you! Oh, God! It is unutterable! I cannot live without my life! [implying that Catherine is his life] I cannot live without my soul!” Heathcliff does not wish Catherine’s soul to rest in peace like a normal individual would do. Rather, Heathcliff is driven by his obsession with Catherine and demands to be haunted by her soul for as long as he lives.
Determined to continually hurt Hindley, Heathcliff is obsessed by his thoughts for revenge, “I shall pay Hindley back! I don’t care how long I...