By marrying Edgar Linton, Catherine denies the chance for a relationship to be made possible between herself and Heathcliff. Although her actions at first seem very selfish, she sees this as the only way of saving Heathcliff from her brother Hindley. Not surprisingly, Heathcliff never understands her actions for what they are, and the result is mayhem. The hindered love serves as a mere catalyst throughout the novel, bringing with it tragedy and revenge.
Catherine expresses her divided emotions towards Heathcliff and Edgar when she is again talking to Nelly. She describes her love towards Linton likening it to “foliage in the woods”, admitting that “time will change it … as winter changes trees” whereas when she likens her passion towards Heathcliff as “the eternal rocks beneath – a source of little visible delight but necessary”. She realises that her love for Heathcliff is far more important than what her feelings are towards Edgar, however Edgar can offer her a civilised, socially acceptable and materialistic advantage. She knows that marriage to Heathcliff would mean a life of misery and poverty for both of them. What she does not realise is that by denying herself to Heathcliff, she creates a deeper tragedy that she or anyone else can comprehend, and her marriage to Edgar, coupled with the return of Heathcliff, tears her apart spiritually, mentally and emotionally.
Catherine now realises that it is impossible to love Heathcliff and remain married to Edgar. At this point Catherine concedes that the only way she and Heathcliff can be united is through death. She now knows that it would be impossible for her to enter paradise to be able to wait for Heathcliff to come to her. With her marriage to Edgar, Heathcliff’s good converts to evil, seeking vengeance upon everyone around him, except for Catherine. Heathcliff’s return from his three year absence, he arranges to see Catherine again. Shortly thereafter, Catherine resigns herself to her own death.
After seventeen years of avenging his “enemies”, Heathcliff loses the desire to inflict suffering unto others. He realises that he loves Hareton due to his striking similarity to Catherine. Upon this revelation, he now begins to eagerly await his own death, and hence his reunion with Catherine.
Heathcliff and Catherine are examples of two people who love each other beyond the comprehension of most people, and arguably even themselves. The story is one of tragedy, and although our sympathies do lie with Heathcliff, as this was the real intention of Emily Bronte’s writing, it can be difficult to accept Heathcliff as the hero in all of this because of his actions.
Through no action of his own, and only because of his birthright, Heathcliff is denied his one true love. It is arguable that without the social expectations of their surroundings and the usurpers, Heathcliff and Catherine could have married and changed the course of their life. With Catherine, Heathcliff is a sedate and childlike figure. After Catherine deserts him to marry Edgar, Heathcliff is unable to feel anything but hate and anger for others. It is Heathcliff’s passionate love towards Catherine, and the frustration of not being able to fulfil his dream that leads him to this.
One can argue that if Heathcliff and Catherine could follow their hearts the way Hareton and Cathy did, they would have experienced a love that would have been impossible to understand by anyone but themselves. When Hareton and Cathy plant their garden at Wuthering Heights, and it starts to blossom, the reader is shown a rebirth. It is somehow know through this symbolism, that all that was evil will turn to love. Heathcliff and Catherine are united in death, and the love of Cathy and Hareton blooms. The reader is much more able to understand the more plausible love represented by Hareton and Cathy. Heathcliff redeems himself when even he admits this, finally letting go of his bitterness and joining Catherine in death.
The novel represents a great romantic tragedy and many compare it to William Shakepeare’s Romeo and Juliet. The fate of star-crossed lovers who are unable to fulfil their dream through life find redemption in death. To not understand this very important and significant theme of love in this novel is a great loss to the reader. Those who view this book as a novel of violence, hate and revenge do a great injustice to the luminous writing of Bronte. Understanding the love of these two people, Catherine and Heathcliff, can bring envy to anybody. To feel a love so strong and so deep is something most of us will never be likely to experience, and may never be able to truly come to terms with.