Wuthering Heights Heathcliff Abuse Essay

In the novel Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte Heathcliff is haunted by his past of childhood mistreatment and grows up with a mentality seeking revenge to those he believes took so much from him. His inability to let go of his past abuse, affects not only himself but the people around him. The cruelty in Wuthering Heights plays an influential role in the actions of some of the characters. Heathcliff, who was brought into the home of Catherine and her older brother Hindley, wins the affection of their father and the resentment of Hindley. As a result of this built up resentment, when Hindley inherits the home he mistreats and degrades Heathcliff. The cruelty Heathcliff experiences from Hindley influence Heathcliff to become a well mannered man in society.
Hindley and Hindley’s wife were of the people to whom Heathcliff looked to effect. However he also felt betrayed by Catherine for not loving him and being with him despite their history and feelings towards each other. Cruelty in Wuthering Heights is not just the cruelty that comes from abuse or mistreatment but also the social cruelty one can evoke on another's heart.
In Hindley’s circumstance, his acts of cruelty come from a place of abandonment. His desire to be his father’s favorite was intercepted by Heathcliff. Instead of trying to better himself, Hindley too decided to have someone else take the blame and be punished.His actions towards Heathcliff acted as a self esteem booster as well as a filler for a void of his own post. Two sides of Heathcliff's character were revealed as a result of the cruelty shown toward hi. His ability to follow Hindley’s orders convey his self control. The long term effects of his mistreatment, reveal a much darker side. He is unable to move on with his life knowing that there are no consequences for hindley’s action towards