Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte :: Wuthering Heights Emily Bronte Essays

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte In chapter nine, we are introduced to the issues surrounding different ideas of love through Catherine's dilemma. The author uses a variety of imagery and ideas to separate superficial love from true love. We are shown that her love for Edgar, a gentleman residing in the estate of Thrushcross Grange, is indeed superficial. Catherine tells Nelly that she has just accepted Edgar's proposal, yet she does not seem satisfied with her choice: "I accepted him, Nelly; be quick, and say whether I was wrong!" Say whether I should have done so - do!" This immediately implies that she is not confident of her own judgement - she seeks assurance and comfort that her choice was the correct one by pleading to Nelly, her servant. This is extremely odd, as the majority of people would not commit themselves to lifetime relationships without being sure that it is the right choice to do so. We are shown that the reason behind her doubt is that her "love" for Edgar is plainly superficial. Nelly also understands this, and asks Catherine, bluntly, if she loves him. She replies firmly: "Who can help it? Of course I do." I believe that her manner in responding to this question completely contradicts the words which that she actually speaks. She replies in a very 'matter-of-fact' tone, which suggests that her reasoning behind her love should be visible and obvious to all. She suggests that no woman could resist him, which, combined with the previous point, implies that he is desirable due to his outward appearance and status - he is "marriage material". Hence, Catherine has shown us that her love for Edgar is the same love that any woman would feel for him, which is not true love; it is merely attraction. She furthers this by declaring that she does not want to be a "beggar", which she believes would be the outcome of marrying Heathcliff. I also believe that Catherine is trying to convince herself of her love for Edgar. This was shown earlier by her asking Nelly for reassurance, but it is shown further when Nelly asks her why she loves Edgar: "I love the ground under his feet, and the air over his head, and everything he touches, and every word he says - I love all his looks, and all his actions, and him entirely, and altogether. There now!" This response also puzzled me - it has been worded in a very impersonal fashion. She uses dry, unlovable vocabulary in her description, such as "ground", "feet" and "air". It is a list of clichà ©s, and instead of giving the intended outcome of proving her