The contrast between the two love relationships shows how Catherine does a mistake by choosing Linton over Heathcliff, since she is betraying her feelings. If Edgar were not handsome and rich, Catherine would not love him at all. Catherine is sad because she knows she is betraying her feelings. Catherine’s love for Heathcliff instead, is deep. Catherine’s love for Heathcliff is true; her feeling for Edgar is selfish and due to what he has and can give her. The comparison between the two love relationships shows Catherine is making an error by choosing Linton because of what he has, instead of listening to her heart and marrying Heathcliff. Catherine rejects true love for position, and in this way she gives start to hate, caused by Heathcliff’s desperation and his revenge.
The similarities between the characters of the two generations in Wuthering Heights shows how things would have been if Catherine had followed her heart. The pattern of the first half of the novel is repeated with new characters in the roles the old ones once played. The triangle of Edgar, Catherine, and Heathcliff is reflected in the one of Linton, Cathy and Hareton, and the events are similar. Cathy is like her mother, Catherine Earnshaw, in her eyes, her strength, her independence, and above all her passion. In each triangle the female is dominant, and her actions cause the happiness or unhappiness of the others. While Catherine marries with Edgar, and only joins Heathcliff in the grave, Cathy is forced to marry Linton, but then after his death falls in love with Hareton. Cathy falls in love with Hareton even if he isn’t rich, and her love saves him from the animal state he lived in. Love, in the second generation wins over hate because Cathy listens to her heart, and lived according to her true feelings.
Setting is important in Wuthering Heights because it shows the conflict between true, natural love and artificial influences of society which cause hate. Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange symbolize love and fake love. Wuthering Heights stands for nature, and natural love. The weather at the Heights is usually bad: snow wind or rain. On the other hand, Thrushcross Grange, is a comfortable and rich country manor. The weather is usually sunny and calm. Contrast is shown between natural, stormy passion, and civilization with its artificial side that hides true love. The opposition between the Heights and the Grange shows how Catherine’s choice of Linton won’t bring peace because she has forgotten about true love.
Emily Bronte shows the importance of true feelings in life. She says that only if one listens to them can there be peace, because love becomes hate when the characters forget true love. Also, the structure of Wuthering Heights is an exaggeration of love and hate and shows the message. Emily Bronte shows how love wins over hate if there isn’t influence from the outside. Love wins when Heathcliff at least reaches Catherine in the next life, and Hareton and Cathy marry.
