Can any man or woman be wholly good or evil? The question “Can any man or woman be wholly good or evil?” pertains to many characters in the novel Wuthering Heights. Although there are multiple characters who display both good and evil traits, it cannot be assumed that they are wholly good or evil. The characters within the novel are very complex and their actions and personalities seem to be heavily influenced by the events that take place around them. Heathcliff displays many evil traits but it cannot be said that he is wholly evil. His actions and personality are shaped by his passionate love for Catherine, which fuels Heathcliff’s path of revenge on the occupants of Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange. Throughout the novel, Heathcliff’s personality changes drastically, displaying both good and evil traits. He begins as the adopted “gypsy” child of the Earnshaw family, and ends up as the insatiable overseer of both Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange. During Heathcliff’s upbringing at Wuthering Heights, Heathcliff’s adoptive brother, Hindley, torments and tortures him. Hindley’s resentment stems from his father’s favorable treatment of Heathcliff. Hindley refers to Heathcliff as an “imp of satan” and after Mr. Earnshaw’s death, he forces Heathcliff to work as a manual laborer, depriving him of an education. …show more content…
He only marries her to secure his revenge upon the households and to spite Catherine for marrying Edgar. This is cruel not only because he married her for access to Thrushcross Grange, but also because he married Edgar’s sister, who is Catherine’s sister-in-law. Although it cannot be said that Heathcliff's is wholly evil, his actions toward the people of Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange, other than Catherine, can be seen as almost entirely evil. This quotation demonstrates Heathcliff's indifference toward Isabella's feelings and his blatant