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Wuthering Heights - Catherine & Linton Relationship Analysis
They are both, as I’ve mentioned before, the offspring of calm and storm but with the difference that Linton was born
of a hate relationship and Catherine of a somewhat more affectionate one.
When she hears of her cousin’s existence, Catherine is excited at the prospect of meeting him and despite knowing of Linton’s illness she looks forward to looking after him, having someone around to care for. Her reaction towards Hareton is the complete opposite.
They are separated even before they have a chance to meet. This probably contributes to her curiosity and when she finds out that her cousin is living only four miles away she is determined to make friends with him. This is will prove to be a relationship based on terror on Linton’s side and on compassion on Catherine’s side not true friendship or strong family ties. Despite being cousins, their characters couldn’t be more different, Catherine is active and warm-hearted and Linton lethargic and peevish. They disagree on almost everything and quarrel almost every time they see each other. If not insulting each other’s fathers then quarrelling on small matters such as how to spend a perfect afternoon.
The only subject they seem to agree on is Hareton, who they intellectually bully and make fun of, but on the whole, Linton finds Catherine tiresome and eventually frightening just as Catherine finds him dull and sulky.
Catherine’s sisterly feelings for Linton turn out to be a weakness in the Heathcliff household. She ends up forced into an insufferable marriage and thankfully becomes a widow shortly after.
Published: November 05, 2009
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