One of the major problems of reviewing a classic is the fact that if you have an opinion that is contrary to popular belief, you feel like you’re committing a crime of some sort. I find myself in such a predicament with Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights. I will add a disclaimer right in the beginning that this review might be more of a rant than an actual review. 

Wuthering Heights is a love story of the ages, a book that has almost become a pinnacle of passion and sacrifice. However, I am of the opinion that in order to maintain the ideal of a perfect idea of love, one which was to some degree unrequited, and therefore heralded the tragedy of the book, another major tragedy goes ignored. Heathcliff and Catherine were destined to be together right from the beginning, their intense connection, attraction and passion for each other was one which cannot be forgotten for even a micro-second. Like most love stories, this one also encumbers a love triangle, between Catherine, Heathcliff and Edgar Linton. I feel the tragedy of Edgar Linton’s life is one that goes completely ignored. Much like Catherine ignores him for Heathcliff, the audiences are also prone to casting Linton to the background due to the enigma that is Heathcliff. 

However, the only possible argument that may be made for the defense of Catherine and Heathcliff is the fact that they were both victims of their circumstances. Heathcliff is given a new lease of life when Catherine’s father, Mr. Earnshaw brings him home. But Hindley Earnshaw, Catherine’s brother, despises Heathcliff right from the beginning and made that very evident. It cannot be denied that being around such negativity most of the time as a young person might have affected Heathcliff. Catherine was his only respite, who was quick to his defense and an equal contender to Heathcliff’s wit and retorts. The two were the only ones capable to handling each other and the passion shared by the two was noticed by all around them. Unfortunately due to certain events that unfurl, Catherine ultimately married Edgar Linton due to Heathcliff’s sudden departure. The newly married couple lived happily till Heathcliff returned and caused waves in both Catherine and Linton’s life. Catherine confessed to their help, Nelly that she felt as if she had to marry Linton because he would be able to offer her a better life, unlike Heathcliff. This gives the audiences a realization of what being a women was like during that time.

Heathcliff’s return marked the demise of Catherine and Linton’s married life. Linton was very disturbed and troubled with the visible bond shared by Catherine and Heathcliff, and one of the only arguments the married couple had was about Heathcliff. Linton knew he would always be inferior to Heathcliff to Catherine and despite having her as his wife, he knew that her heart lay with Heathcliff. But ultimately Linton accepted that and continued to live his life for Catherine. Linton was the innocent casualty of the Catherine-Heathcliff storm, he spent his life loving a woman who he knew would never love him back. Heathcliff also left no stone unturned to make his life difficult, right from marrying his sister to take revenge on him, to continuously meeting his wife in secret despite knowing that Linton was against their friendship. 

Much like Daisy in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, Catherine married for money and not love, but unlike Tom Buchanan, who was most definitely an antagonist, Edgar Linton was nothing of the sort. I would like to think of him as a Petrarchan lover, one who could only love his beloved from afar. Although he was her husband, he never truly was able to share a loving and fruitful relationship with his wife. He always fell short in comparison to Heathcliff and Catherine knew that she was hurting Linton, however there was nothing she could do. Linton is not Jay Gatsby, who was allowed momentary paradise with his love, Edgar Linton was a lamb who was a casualty who happened to come in the way of Heathcliff and Catherine. No matter what reasons one might cite for defending Heathcliff, he was an extremely toxic character and Linton was a much better and stable man in comparison. Even in death, Catherine was buried with token from both Heathcliff and Linton, and despite audiences believing that Heathcliff and Catherine would finally be united in death, Linton is still being strung along. Therefore, I believe that the book has been much kinder to Heathcliff, who actually did not deserve the retribution, than Linton who was nothing more than a mere passerby. Although Heathcliff was never married to Catherine, he was much more connected her than Linton ever was. I feel like Catherine received the best fate of the three. She married into fortune, while still receiving the love of her beloved (despite that not being her husband). 

Therefore, I believe that the one with the worst fate in the book was Linton who would have had a much better life if he did not marry Catherine, or Heathcliff never returned. I apologise for ending this rant with an attack, but it was evident that you would choose the toxic men over the nice guys when you chose Heathcliff over Linton.