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Wuthering Heights Catherine Symbolism

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"'"He's [Linton is] safe, and I'm free," [young Catherine] answered. . . "I [Catherine] feel and see only death!" . . . And she looked [dead], too!'" (Brontë 215) Through multiple narrations, young Catherine's response to Linton Heathcliff's death characterizes her, connects her to Heathcliff, and illuminates death's control. Zillah's narration of Catherine's reaction through Nelly and Lockwood reveals the knowledge motif. This transfer of wisdom portrays how information also transfers from lower classes to higher classes since the servants inform Lockwood of history. In other words, despite poor monetary wealth, Zillah and Nelly possess vast knowledge which Lockwood lacks. Moreover, Catherine's verbal response shows her motives are to protect …show more content…

When Catherine meets Linton Heathcliff and he loves her, she loves him to free her from romantic isolation (211). Likewise, Heathcliff despises separation from dead Catherine and wishes to unite with her to free him from his "lonel[iness]" (211). Contradicting Catherine, Heathcliff focuses on dead Catherine while young Catherine searches for a friend after Linton's death, Hareton. Nevertheless, Cathy wants the freedom to derive pleasure from enemies' grief since she is miserable, yet proud of her dominance; her physical dominance over Linton brings suffering while her emotional dominance over Heathcliff brings triumph. Additionally, Heathcliff's "cruelty arises from [his] greater misery" (211). Both characters derive pain from others due to misery, except Heathcliff causes and receives Catherine's cruelty. Correspondingly, Cathy is "too glad of her escape" (235) from Heathcliff since he initiates it. In addition, Cathy wants freedom from Wuthering Heights' gloominess as she "import[s] plants from the Grange" (233). Freedom from solitude, Heathcliff, and Wuthering Heights drive Catherine in Wuthering

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