Heathcliff’s Demonization: A Reading of Wuthering Heights

Abstract

Emily Brontë, the nineteenth-century English woman writer, together with her first and only published novel, Wuthering Heights, has always been a riddle in the history of British literature. Critics and readers are all curious about why a female writer should create such a merciless and malicious demon as Heathcliff in her novel. This paper explores Heathcliff’s demonization from three aspects: the root and inspiration of demonization as well as Heathcliff’s aspiration after a life of eternal bliss. On one hand, the repressions Heathcliff suffers from the society, culture, family and even himself are the roots of his demonization, while on the other, his rebellious spirit inspires his demonization. Unfortunately, no matter how thoroughly he rebels, he still can’t get satisfied or feel happy until starving himself to death, the only way for him to achieve a life of eternal bliss.