Wuthering Heights Journal #1

In the past week, we ventured through the classic novel of Wuthering Heights to reveal more than just the classical love story, but the history of the character of Heathcliff. As a group, Heathcliff revealed to us the why to his actions and the how to his ways. Ontop of that, the discussion led to how a person was regarded in a society and how others treat them directly influences the character of that person.
Wuthering Heights begins with a very hard beginning and leaves the reader confused. Mr. Lockwood visits the Earnshaw home at Wuthering Heights and experiences more than the typical visit. The hostile hosts react aggressively to his new presence. Not only does Mr. Lockwood experience a failure of an escape, but he is captured by the dream of the mistress of the house, Catherine, which he stayed in for the night. This dream and the reaction of Heathcliff raises questions within Mr. Lockwood. Soon, he turns to the Nelly, the trusted maid of the household to recount the details of her time at the residence.
Although not even half into the book, a lot of the characteristics of Heathcliff is revealed. He started off as an abandoned boy which was taken in the by Earnshaw family. Although many members did not warm up to them at first, he was eventually accepted by the immediate family of Wuthering Heights, almost all the members. Hindley, his adopted older brother had other thoughts while Catherine cuddled up to Heathcliff.
One of the things we discussed about the book was how a child can easily be influenced. Because Hindley referred to Heathcliff as the "gipsy child" and as the "imp of Satan", Heathcliff saw how others viewed him and that gave him almost an approval in his subconscious to his actions being less than pleasant to others. After Hindley got married, Catherine, Heathcliff's best friend and adopted sister, went to live at their aunt and uncle's residence for five weeks, which changed her from a girl to more of a lady. When she returned, Heathcliff saw an instant change as she grew up and matured while he did not have such opportunities or learnings as he was despised by other relatives and Hindley. Because Catherine had 'forsaken' him, he subconsciously gave up on even trying to present himself favourable to others, thus giving up on daily necessities such as baths and grooming habits. His "personal appearance sympathised with mental deterioration" thus he developed an overall gloomy appearance.
Due to his reliance on Catherine for companionship, he gave himself to the complete submission of her judgement. Once that was taken away from him, he abandoned all hope for himself ever to be an important part of society, or a member at all as he slipped into gloom. The unknown love from Catherine to Heathcliff hints to play an important role as the book progresses, but all we know at the moment that Heathcliff did not have a healthy childhood which led directly to his present character.