I first felt like reading Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte after reading the Twilight series. You see, each Twilight book is based off of a classic novel. The first book is based off of Wuthering Heights, which really ignited my curiosity in the classic.
I thought the book was very depressing. Albeit, the depression had a very melancholic beauty to it; but still, I was not anticipating the intense hatred, revenge, and brokenness the book entails.
In Twilight, Edward relates himself to Heathcliff. Therefore, I was expecting Heathcliff to have some attractive qualities. He doesn't. In fact, I hate him.
After he deems his life ruined and his soul destroyed, he proceeds to enact that same destruction he had received on everyone else. He is selfish, and he is unattractive in every way. The most appalling scene for me was either when he bawls all over Catherine/savagely kisses her/bruises her/acts like a wild dog. An equally appalling scene is when he tears open her grave to see if her body has changed (gag). Basically, all that to say, Heathcliff is definitely not my favorite guy.
Catherine the mother is also extremely annoying. What a brat! She is a good example of how not to act in life! She has no strong loyalties, no sense of morality, and no courage. If she was loyal, she would've stayed with the people who had always been there for her: Nelly, Heathcliff, Edgar, and Isabella. If she had had a sense of morality, she wouldn't have hurt everyone near her. She would have lived a life of love, and joy--not of anger and depression. And if she had courage, she would've chosen Heathcliff, even though his social status was lower than hers. As is obvious, I didn't like her character either.
Edgar bothers me in the beginning of his life. He dotes on every wish of Catherine's, appearing spineless. I like who he became though after Catherine's death. He is a good father to Catherine the daughter. He raises her to love others, and not to live self-centeredly. Him and his daughter have a beautiful relationship; it is my favorite relationship in the book. Though Edward related himself to Heathcliff because of his obsession with Catherine the mother, Edgar reminds me of Edward more than Heathcliff does. Edgar loves Catherine the daughter so much that he is willing to give her up to Linton for her happiness, just like Edward gave up Bella for her happiness.
I also like Hareton. I felt serious compassion for him. Everyone looked down on him because he wasn’t educated. But it wasn’t his fault! Grr...Heathcliff, blaming you again! Anyway, I love how Hareton learns to be content with who he is, not trying to be like someone he’s not just to please the people around him---great character development!
The book was beautiful in it's sadness. And I like books like that. So, I guess this book gets a 'thumbs up' from me. I guess. It's characters drive me crazy though.
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