In Wuthering
Heights, Emily Bronte illuminates the idea that nurturing does play a key
role in the way one acts based of chronological age. Throughout the novel, a
cycle of lust and revenge is revealed through multiple generations of only two
families until Young Catherine breaks the cycle of repetition. In relation to
my big question, I am very interested in the inhibitions of Linton and Young
Catherine. Their youthful innocence is expected to reveal a lackluster
understanding of love and immaturity towards marital decisions. In contrast,
these characters are influenced by precedent behaviors to behave unlike their
chronological age.
Linton upbringing
forces him into playing a pawn in Heathcliff's scheming revenge. He refers to
Linton as his "property" and enforces the idea that Isabella is a
"wicked slut". Regardless of Isabella’s attempt to salvage Linton
from the misery of Wuthering Heights and Trushcross Grange, she is
unsuccessful. Not only presently, but also in the long run does Linton’s
negative upbringing weaken his sense of self and skew his inhibitions. Linton,
regardless of his age is destined to a life of misery because he was shaped
poorly at a young age to believe love is a tool of manipulation.
On the other hand,
Young Catherine reveals promising characteristics of happiness. Young Catherine
encompasses a sense of compassion that Catherine Earnshaw Linton could not
posses. In contrast to Heathcliff, Edgar is a devoted father to Young
Catherine. In Edgar’s eyes, “the little one was
always Cathy: it formed to him a distinction from the mother, and yet a
connection with her; and his attachment sprang from its relation to her, far
more than from its being his own.” Edgar unknowingly influences her
kindness towards the ill Linton. She reveals her desire to love him because she
believes she can protect and mother him back to health. Although it is much
more grotesque than the love of old Catherine and Edgar, it is founded upon
pure intentions.
The unique
upbringing and innate characteristics of Linton and Young Catherine are far
from similar, but they both reveal the impact outside influences have on ones
character. Nurturing at a young age helps predetermine one’s characteristics
for the future.
