"I Am Heathcliff!"-Wuthering Heights And The Problem Of Identity

Emily Bronte's (1818-1848) only novel, Wuthering Heights, has received voluminous comments and interpretations which had diverged greatly since it was published. The purpose of this thesis is to interpret more about identity of the main characters, and thus the theme of Wuthering Heights. A detailed analysis of the main characters: Heathcliff, Catherine and Hindley of the first generation and Hareton and Cathy of the second generation. Therefore, the main theme can be derived: death is both the beginning of new life, and Eden of passionate love.The thesis is divided into five chapters.Chapter One is the introduction to the thesis. Some different interpretations in the past are briefly stated. Critics argue whether Catherine and Heathcliff are of the same or of the holy union without a unanimous view. And they have also shown more interest in the first generation plot rather than identities of the second generation, which may lead to inaccurate interpretation of the main theme. As is noted by many critics, that Linton is quite different from Heathcliff and Catherine from the perspective of psychical identity. However, as the daughter of Wuthering Heights and the son of Thrushcross Grange, Catherine's and Linton's social identity group, to the extent, overlaps.Chapter Two is an identity analysis of Heathcliff, Catherine and Hindley. The love between Catherine and Heathcliff leaves no space for two souls. There is a shared self-identity in them. On the other hand, although Linton's social identity equals Catherine's, his soul are made of different substances from hers. Subject to social conventions, Catherine betrays coherent self unconsciously shared with Heathcliff, on the way of torturous separation from him. Losing her original self, she comes to her fatal death.Chapter Three focuses on identity analysis of Hareton and young Cathy. Their marriage is possible only on the basis of suffering and torment of the first generation, therefore, is the continual love of the first generation. Their fusion is bound with compromise with the society, conformity with the social conventions. Their love is less destructive, but less passionate and joyful.Chapter Four reveals the theme of Wuthering Heights "love and death". According to Emily Bronte, death is a form of existence. Only after death can man untie the bondage of the life, return to the coherent self, and obtain everlasting and immeasurable joy of another world.Chapter Five is a brief conclusion.