With close textual analysis of Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte and Atonement by lan McEwan to what extent do the writers use their characters obsessive natures as the driving force of their fiction? Throughout Wuthering Heights, Bronte demonstrates the theme of obsessive natures within love and relationships. This is especially presented through the character of Heathcliff-due to his desire for Catherine’s love, ‘wrenched open the lattice, bursting . into an uncontrollable passion of tears’-chapter 3 page 21.
Here the reader can get an insight into Heathcliff’s wild nd animalistic behaviour, which is presented through Bronte’s use of powerful verbs. The word ‘bursting’ could indicate the passion and uncontrollable feelings he had towards Catherine. ‘Wrenched’, can also link to the word ‘broken’, an accurate description of Heathcliff’s character full of sorrow and despair over the love that he had lost. A theme presented throughout the novel of the outdoors can be seen here, ‘open the lattice’, which is a symbolic part of their relationship.
Due to childhood memories of aimlessly wondering across the moors, meaning it would only seem right that they were surrounded with the nfluence of the outdoors. Heathcliff’s character then begins to request for Catherine’s ghostly presence to haunt him, ‘Come in! Come in! “‘ he sobbed. ‘Cathy, do come. Oh do–_once_more! Oh! my heart’s darling! Hear me this time, Catherine, at last! “- chapter 3 page 21. This demonstrates Heathcliff’s desperation for Catherine to return, he was consumed by her love and it seemed death intensified his passion.
This is presented through Bronte’s use of repetition with Catherine’s name, which emphasises the importance of Catherine to Heathcliff. Heathcliff’s character then asks Catherine to ‘hear him this ime’, suggesting that this isn’t the first time he called upon her to return, perhaps he can never let go of her. This presents the avid theme of the gothic element in the novel, due to the use of Catherine’s ghostly presence. Victorian readers would have been horrified by this, due to it being uncommon to speak about anything supernatural.
Further on in the novel, Catherine’s death is looming; ‘Two words would comprehend my future-death and hell: existence, after losing her, would be hell.. he couldn’t love as much in eighty years as I could in a day’- chapter 14, page 114. It seemed that life without Catherine was not worth living for Heathcliff, only a world he described as ‘hell’. The word ‘hell’, linking to torment and punishment, indicating that her loss would be the greatest punishment he could receive.
This again links back to the gothic element of the novel, Victorian readers would have also not responded well with the referral of ‘hell”‘, due to it having strong connotations to the devil. It also suggests that the only emotion that began to compensate for Heathcliff’s loss was bitterness, due to saying that Edgar was incapable of loving her s much as he did. Years after Catherine’s death, Heathcliff decided to dig up dead her corpse, ‘when I saw her face again’- chapter 29, page 220.
Implying that Heathcliff saw no difference in Catherine’s appearance. Which might convey that despite her lifeless body- ultimately decayed and unrecognisable, Heathcliff could still picture the same Catherine, possibly due to love blinding him. ‘By the time Linton gets to us he’ll not know which is which’- chapter 29, page 220. Suggesting that Heathcliff imagined their souls being intertwined into earth for eternity, hich also links back to the nature aspect of the novel, where Catherine and Heathcliff’s souls both connected with nature.
By Heathcliff suggesting that Edgar would not know which body was which, implies he felt they would turn into one body, through decomposing and then merging together. Victorian readers would have been disgusted with the character of Heathcliff, due to death being something they feared. Bronte also presents Catherine’s character as having strong and passionate feelings towards Heathcliff. ‘She was much too fond of Heathcliff. The greatest punishment we could invent.. as to keep her separate from him’- chapter 5 page 31.
For Catherine and Heathcliff, love and punishment always seemed to intermingle, presented even at a young age. However, the biggest torment in her life was to be separate from Heathcliff, it seemed they were inseparable. ‘Nelly, but he’s more myself than I am’-chapter 9, page 61. It seemed despite the class divide of the 19th century, where someone of Catherine’s place in society would have been separated from Heathcliff- a servant, her romantic desire and eternal passion for him seemed to be something she couldn’t escape from.
The quote also suggests a profound sense of connection or identity with each other, by claiming they are the same person. She also protests that; ‘he’s more of myself than I am- chapter 9, page 61, which might connote the fact that Heathcliff and Catherine’s love was inevitable. It didn’t seem to matter what happened on earth, they would be together for eternity, due to their souls being one. Despite the taste of the finer life- where with Edgar Linton, Catherine was given financial stability and a higher place in society, it seemed Wuthering Heights and Heathcliff is what made her character happy.
Heaven did not seem to be my home… they flung me … on the top of Wuthering Heights; where I woke sobbing for joy’- chapter 9, page 61. Notably, Catherine perceived her choice as between heaven and hell- Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange. Although Thrushcross Grange was described as ‘heaven’, it seemed Catherine preferred Wuthering Heights- which was perceived as hell. Possibly due to her and Heathcliff’s authentic love, which was passionate and unrestrained. By Catherine conveying thoughts of wishing to stay out of heaven, it would have been seen as shocking, due to
Christianity being such a large factor of the 19th century. The theme of gothic literature can be seen here, because of the reference to heaven and hell. Without the passionate relationship between Heathcliff and Catherine, Wuthering Heights wouldn’t have the driving force of the novel, which ultimately centres around their love. During Atonement, McEwan presents the relationship between Robbie and Cecilia. In the earlier stages of the novel, a simmering tension was built up between the pair, however their love was not as obvious as the relationship between Catherine nd Heathcliff’s in Wuthering Heights.
This was due to their feelings not being made apparent until Robbie was arrested and taken away to war. When the character of Robbie turner was first introduced, it is described that he Cecilia had a long-term relationship since the age of seven, this included attending Cambridge University together. ‘Her childhood friend and university acquaintance’- chapter 2, page 19. By being referred to as a ‘acquaintance’, suggests a separation between the pair, possibly due to both being from different circles; because of a istinct separation in class.
The divide in class possibly placed a barrier between Robbie and Cecilia, due to the fact that Robbie was the son of the Tallis charlady, whereas Cecilia was part of a privileged family. Which is perhaps why Cecilia repressed her feelings for Robbie, as the difference in class distanced them due to society’s expectations, where lower and upper class people didn’t mix. People of the 21st century would see things differently, often not letting the differences in background get between love. This can link towards Wuthering Heights, due to ocial class placing a separation between Heathcliff and Catherine.
This separation in friendship may have also been built up from suppressed anger towards Robbie, due the fact that Cecilia’s Father payed for his education, ‘Since it would be Father who had to pay’- chapter 2, page 19. However, this frustration also seemed to stem from the unknown awkwardness between them, ‘it bothered her that they were awkward when they talked’- chapter 2, page 22. Suggesting that she wished their relationship would develop further. Unbeknown to Cecilia this might have been the sexual tension between them.
