To contrast this relationship, we have the pairing of two young men, Maurice and Alec. Whereas the relationship between the two main characters in Wuthering Heights was based on an emotional bond with no mention of physical activity aside from innocent childhood play, the relationship of Maurice and Alec is comprised of a much less developed emotional connection and a more pronounced physical component. In a conversation with Clive, Maurice says, “I have shared with Alec…All I have. Which includes my body.” (page 243) Clive shows signs of disgust and disapproval when told this. We have no explicit evidence that Clive and Maurice ever had a strongly physical connection, as their relationship was mainly comprised of emotions and conversation. Perhaps Clive, although self-proclaimed “normal,” is disgusted because Maurice replaced what he considered to be a superior relationship with an inferior one based on physical attraction. We can see how Clive could feel this way, as he was most likely educated about the role of sex in a relationship in the same manner as Maurice was educated in his ridiculous conversation with Mr. Ducie. According to their teacher, sex is merely a mechanical process which comes with a relationship, a means for child production. As such, sexual activity has no place nor should it have any place in a relationship. Although we can’t speculate as to the future of Maurice and Alec’s relationship, we can say that when they ran away together that their relationship seemed genuine, despite the lack of a more long-term emotional bond, such as one present between Catherine and Heathcliff. And to further contrast to the heterosexual couple in Wuthering Heights, the homosexual couple in Maurice is made up two different but complementing personalities, unexpectedly reinforcing the heterosexual fundamental that opposites attract.
As stated earlier, the personalities of Maurice and Alec differ, and this aspect defines their relationship. One of these main differences, which the author used to make social commentary, is class. A major initial setback for Maurice to develop his relationship with Alec was surprisingly not about society’s view on homosexuality (although it certainly was a significant component); even then countries such as France and Italy did not view it as a crime. Instead he found himself viewing Alex inferior to himself because he was a servant at Penge; Alec was a member of a lower class. Considering how much hardship Maurice had to deal with over his inner conflict of wanting to be heterosexual, it seems fairly infantile that he could ultimately deal with that but not the difference in class. One possible explanation is because since sexual activity of any sort was such a taboo topic, it was easier for Maurice to develop his own ideas independent from societal influence. The only person who told him explicitly how to sexually behave was Mr. Ducie, whose lack of credibility and lack of advice about emotional relationships resulted in Maurice’s dismissal of his conversation. Despite a rather rocky start consisting of self-denial and blackmail, Maurice and Alec get together, overcoming their class differences. Interestingly enough, however, Maurice is forced to give up his job to be with Alec, and Alec is forced to relinquish his chance of elevating himself in class, putting them in the same social stratum.
In contrast, we have the couple from Wuthering Heights, Catherine and Heathcliff. Catherine is born into gentry, whereas Heathcliff’s origins remain a mystery. He spends his early youth, however, with the same luxuries as his young love. It doesn’t take long, however, for Heathcliff to be established as a social inferior to Catherine. Unlike the couple in Maurice, these two are not able to resolve their class differences in a positive way. Catherine breaks Heathcliff’s heart by marrying within her class to Edgar Linton, despite her best intentions of gaining wealth to help out her dear friend. In turn, this sparks the unique revenge-driven character of Heathcliff. It’s important to remember that even though Heathcliff shows animosity towards Catherine (and later towards her daughter, Catherine) he still deeply cares for her and continues to do so even after her death. Heathcliff’s anger, exacerbated by Hindley, is more of an immature tantrum over the fact that Catherine couldn’t see pass the artificial class differences that society had placed on them, especially since in Heathcliff’s view, they were one soul inhabiting two bodies. Ironically, Heathcliff, through his own accord gains wealth and promotes himself to a higher status, voiding Catherine’s attempt to help him and causing grief over the marriage that should have been. So although similar to Maurice in the respect that their class differences are resolved, the initial dissimilarity was enough to prevent the two from getting together.
Often times, we are presented with the idea that “love conquers all”, but happy endings didn’t seem to be a trend that became popular in various pieces of Victorian literature. In Wuthering Heights, the notion that love conquers all couldn’t be more of a fallacy; it is actually the love of Heathcliff and Catherine that is the catalyst for so much tragedy and ruin; regardless of the fact that Hareton and Catherine’s marriage ends Heathcliff’s animosity, his misery remains. In Forster’s Maurice, however, the relationship between Maurice and Alec does manage to transcend all of their troubles and they manage to run away together happily. Why is this? Each author has something different to say about the success (or lack thereof) of each relationship, just as each modeled couples in their novels to portray different sides about class structure and relationship fundamentals. Catherine and Heathcliff were part of an environment where tragedy beset more tragedy. And because of the narration of the book, we know that Heathcliff will never get to be with Catherine since the novel starts in the present. This further emphasizes the idea that the two are fated to remain apart, regardless of their efforts. Maurice takes a different approach, starting from when Maurice is a young boy and follows him into adulthood, leaving the reader with as much knowledge of what’s to come as the characters themselves. Forster clearly wants to fulfill the classic idea of love conquering all, and it’s made apparent by the plot. For one, instead of having only one relationship like Heathcliff, Maurice has two main relationships throughout the novel. This way, Maurice has a sort of second chance to attain that happy ending that Heathcliff never had because of his obsession over the same person his entire life. The ending also reflects Forster’s desire; even with no seemingly logical reason for Alec and Maurice to come together, they do anyway. Forster’s want for this ending is almost too apparent as it makes the ending to Maurice seem rushed, unrealistic, and leaves the development of their relationship left to be desired.
Without exception, characters and their interactions are what make the story. Not only do these interactions drive plot, but the way these relationships are constructed govern so much more. In Bronte’s Wuthering Heights and Forster’s Maurice, the main couples are used by the author to comment on relationship fundamentals, the effect of class differences on couples, and the classic idea that “love conquers all.” One would be hard-pressed to find two couples that differed in more ways than Catherine and Heathcliff do from Maurice and Alec.
