Dichotomy In Frankenstein

Dichotomy is a very important characteristic in literature. Dichotomy is able to emphasize the contrast and add many deep layers to a story. In Emily Brontë’s Gothic Novel Wuthering Heights, Heathcliff’s embodies many contrasting philosophical components. Heathcliff personifies the role of a savage and a cultured gentleman. Heathcliff is also able to play the role of the victim and victimizer. Heathcliff personifies the role of a savage and a cultured gentleman. Heathcliff’s upbringing was tainted from the begging, he was a parentless gypsy orphan that was adopted by and brought out to the moors. As a child he was very unkempt, but unlike most children he never outgrew this trait. When Catherine returns from Thrushcross Grange, she immediately

When Heathcliff was growing up, he was clearly Mr. Earnshaw’s favorite; this made Hindley very jealous and abusive, for Heathcliff this jealousy led to an upbringing of abuse, ridicule, and punishment. Hindley “deprived him [Heathcliff] of the instructions of the curate, and insisted that he should labour out of doors instead; compelling him to do so as hard as any other lad on the farm” (163). In this passage one can see the disenfranchisement that Heathcliff receives from his own brother by being deprived of education and being placed among the servants. However, during Heathcliff’s time as a victim one can see Heathcliff will soon become the oppressor. One can see this foreshadowing when Heathcliff says, "I'm trying to settle how I shall pay Hindley back. I don't care how long I wait, if I can only do it at last. I hope he will not die before I do!" (54). This quotation clearly shows that Heathcliff has plans to seek revenge. However, Heathcliff’s motive for revenge comes from his being a victim; that means that even when Heathcliff does become the victimizer he is still a victim. This paradox shows how Heathcliff exemplifies his the dichotomy in his