Heathcliff's Personality in Wuthering Heights

Describe Heathcliff's personality in WutheringHeights? What is your

point of view about his character?

The first indication of Heathcliff's savage personality is found in

the opening chapter when the dogs - "A brood of tigers", "fiends" are

represented and Heathcliff growls in unison with them. He informs

Lockwood that the bitch is not kept for a pet. Catherine's diary

provides a clue to the cause of Heathcliff's savagery and hatred,

"Poor Heathcliff! Hindley calls him a vagabond, and won't let him sit

with us and eat with us anymore... and swears that he will reduce him

to his right place". Mr. Earnshaw first describes him thus - "though

its as dark almost as if it came from the devil".

Heathcliff's dominant personality quickly becomes evident - "You must

exchange horses with me, I don't like mine". This incident

demonstrates the extent to which Heathcliff has already been hardened

and brutalised. The ragged new-comer to Wuthering Heights is an image

of a human creature reduced to its bare animal essence, the naked will

to live. Nelly's comments about Heathcliff's ability to withstand pain

supports this point of view, "He would withstand Hindley's blows

without winking or shedding a tear". Heathcliff's dominant will was

being fed by Mr. Earnshaw's favouritism, when he dies this changes,

Heathcliff then suffers the tyranny of Hindley. From this point on,

the revenge theme begins in the novel. Heathcliff's recollection of

the Grange in Chapter 6 is tied this first inkling of revenge, "If I

might have the privilege of flinging Joseph off the highest gale and

painting the housefront with Hindley's blood".

Heathcliff's language at the Grange, indicated a malevolent attitude,

"I've vociferated curses eno...

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... is described in demonic

terms, "sharp cannibal, teeth, basilisk eyes". Now with victory over

Hindley achieved and Edgar retreated in sorrow, the violent aspect of

revenge gives way to patience and legalistic guile. To complete his

revenge over the Lintons, Heathcliff employs these latter tactics -

the marriage between Linton and Catherine is patiently contrived. The

question of succession, shrewdly investigated, his guardianship over

his son, the decisive cotosill to the inheritance of the Grange.

Heathcliff's final thirst for revenge is quenched however by his

failure to remain passionate. In the final chapters of the novel, he

is torn between two competing passions, that for revenge and that for

sympathy and fondness for Hareton. Finally he possesses no ability to

prevent the future happiness of the younger generation and deprived of

his passion, dies.