Return Of Humanity

Wuthering Heights is the only novel of Emily Bronte, a woman writer in the nineteenth century English literature. The plot of the novel is organized by the love story between Heathcliff and Catherine. Love—hatred—revenge—restoration of humanity on Heathcliff is not only the essence of the novel, but also the thread throughout the novel.This thesis attempts to discuss the theme of Heathcliff's restoration of humanity, by analyzing the psychology of the characters and reviewing Heathcliff's experience of life. The thesis gives an interpretation on the behavior of the hero by adopting Freud's theory of psychoanalysis and follows the principle"Attention to the humanity, centered on human being". The highlight of the novel is the love story between Heathcliff and Catherine, whose love has exceeded the love in general and reached the love of an ideal state. However, because of the special environment they live their wonderful dream can not come true and their reunion can only appear in heaven. Here the death of body means the rebirth of spirit, the restoration of humanity after the death. In Emily's mind death is equal to eternity, life can go on and love can relight. Where there is human being, there is love. The humanity can be distorted, but can not be devoured; the exalted love will win over the cruel revenge in the end.Apart from the introduction and conclusion part, the main body of this thesis consists of three chapters.Introduction is a summary of Emily Bronte and Wuthering Heights, and Freud's theory of psychoanalysis. Emily Bronte's peculiar life and extensive reading inspire her thirsty for knowledge and her love for literature, which establish the stable basis for Wuthering Heights. Since the publication in 1847, the comments from the critics have never stopped. The critics have applied various criticisms to interpret the novel and acquired many achievements. This thesis pays a special attention to how the theory of psychoanalysis, represented by Freud, interprets the characters in the novel and applying the theory to the analysis of Heathcliff.According to Freud, the mind of the person can be distinguished into three structural categories: id,ego and superego. Id is the part of mind relating to a person's unconscious instincts and impulses. Ego is individual's perception of himself, the part of mind that can think, feel and act. Superego is the part of a person's mind which contains a set of rules for right and wrong behavior. The behavior of Heathcliff in the book of Wuthering heights perfectly exemplifies the Freud's theory of psychoanalysis.Chapter one is concerned about the love and hatred of Heathcliff as a normal man. As an innocent gypsy orphan, Heathcliff's childhood is miserable and worth sympathy. He suffers from the love and hatred, and shapes the characteristic of stubbornness. From the time Mr. Earnshaw brings him to Wuthering Heights, he has lived under scorn and oppression. At Wuthering Heights, Heathcliff gradually establishes his love and revenge.Chapter two is concerned about Heathcliff's lose of humanity. Heathcliff's oppression is dual: one is the oppression from society, represented by Hindley, which can be tolerable; the other is the torture from love, including the contempt of Catherine, which can be intolerable. The pressure from the society and the family makes his soul distorted and impels him to put the cruel revenge in practice. The betrayal of Catherine is the turning point of Heathcliff's degeneration, which makes the contradictions burst out in a moment.Chapter three is concerned about Heathcliff's return of humanity; conversion from revenge to restoration of humanity. There are two aspects to influence Heathcliff, one is the servant Nelly and the other is the next generation. Heathcliff is vacant in spirit after he succeeds in revenge by all of the means. Catherine reappears in his mind when the next generation of Hareton and Cathy live a happy life. It seems that Heathcliff would come back to his childhood.Conclusion is a summary of the thesis. Heathcliff has gone through a journey of love, revenge and death from a deserted orphan to a monster for revenge, to restoration of humanity. His unusual experience is influenced by his own characteristics as well as the social environment he live. We can make a better understanding on the rationality and authenticity of the change of his emotion by applying Freud's theory of psychoanalysis to analyze the behavior of Heathcliff. By discussion we also perceive a kind of strong power which is to fight against oppression, strive for freedom and dignity. This is the inexorable law of history: the oppressed people must win over the oppressor by their effort no matter what difficulties they come through.