Wuthering Heights is already a very intriguing story for me. I think part of that stems from the fact that so many people have presented it to me as this romantic story, set against the background of the moors, which only add to the romance. Thus far, I'm just not seeing it. Neither of the main characters have me wanting them to end up together. Catherine is ridiculous and selfish, prone to dramatics and unaware of her own faults. After the blow up between Edgar and Heathcliff, she even goes so far as to say to Ellen "I thought, though everybody hated and despised each other, they could not avoid loving me" (119). She refuses to acknowledge that she has any part in the conflict, or that she has mistreated Heathcliff at all. It is interesting, though, that Bronte managed to create a "heroine" that is so far outside the expectations and ideals of a woman in that time period. Catherine speaks her mind and makes no apologies. The one thing she really manages to do that falls in line with expectations is marrying Linton, mostly for his social status. She chooses to ignore her love for Heathcliff, to whom a marriage would degrade her.

Not surprisingly, given my affinity for fictional "bad boys" as well as my interesting psychology and sociology, I find myself much more on Heathcliff's side. I think, based on his early affection for Catherine, that he had the potential to be, maybe not a good man, but certainly better than he turns out. His unknown early childhood certainly started the points stacked against him, and Hindley's open disregard exacerbates it. I think, though, had Catherine not slowly chosen Linton over him, and badge not overheard her seemingly low opinion of him, his main goal in life would not have become revenge. You can almost see him plotting when Catherine reveals Isabella's crushing him. I find myself looking forward to and dreading how far he's going to go to right the perceived wrongs against him.