Similarities Between Heathcliff And The Great Gatsby

Heathcliff and Gatsby are similar because they both try to erase the barrier of social class by raising their stations and trying to regain some aspect of the past. Heathcliff left when he found out Catherine would marry Edgar, however, he return three years later, “ I was amazed more than ever, to behold the transformation of Heathcliff” (Bronte 209). Heathcliff divested his rough exterior to fit into society, “He is a dark skinned gypsy in aspect, in dress and manners a gentleman” (Bronte 137). Heathcliff takes his revenge on Hindley and becomes the master of Wuthering Heights by taking advantage of Hindley’s destructive, “Earnshaw had mortgaged every yard of land he owned...Heathcliff was the mortgagee” (Bronte 223). This is how Heathcliff makes his wealth to further raise his stature and to further pursue his revenge. “For every though she spends on Linton, she spends a thousand on me!I had a notion of this kind:it haunted me to return” (Bronte 241). Heathcliff’s obsession of Catherine didn’t diminish over time instead he focused on raising his station. Gatsby similarly return five years later,

Bronte emphasizes social classes in Wuthering Heights through two high class families, the Earnshaws and the Lintons. Mr. Earnshaw tries to adopt Heathcliff into his family, however, Heathcliff is only viewed as a gypsy. The barrier of social classes leads Catherine to marry Edgar Linton despite loving Heathcliff because she believed it would demean her to marry him. Gatsby is also betrayed by the woman he loves because she feels entitled to a life of wealth. In The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald emphasizes social classes by differentiating between “old money” and “new money”. Daisy Buchanan comes from a family of “old money” Gatsby falls in love with her, but feels that he is not worthy of her. Gatsby and Heathcliff gain social status, but are unable to adapt the mannerisms of the high