Unlike Oedipus (and myself), Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights creates characters with distinguished identities and motivations stemming from those identities.
Catherine is confident in her identity. As a child, Catherine exhibits her commanding nature; she takes on the role as the mistress: "In play, she liked exceedingly to act the little mistress; using her hands freely, and commanding her companions" (37). She "acts" the mistress because that is what she wants: to be the mistress of the house. She wants to be in charge, and does so freely; she commands the other children because it is in her nature. In her identity. In the very soul of her being. Her lust for control defines her, and eventually results in her downfall. For example, when she tells Nelly that she intends to marry Edgar, she reveals that she is defying her true desires. Catherine claims, " 'It would degrade me to marry Heathcliff now; so he shall never know how I love him... He's more myself than I am' " (73). She knows that she does not truly belong with Edgar, yet she proceeds to marry him. Heathcliff and she share a soul. And when she states, "He's more myself than I am," she implies that by marrying Edgar, she is not being true to herself. However, she also tells Nelly that one reason to marry Edgar would be to provide for Heathcliff. This reveals her desire to remain in control over as many people as she can. She assumes that Heathcliff will not be able to care for himself, without her around. Her motivation stems from her own selfish desires, which she attempts to cover up with "good" intentions. Like when Isabella tells her that she wants to marry Heathcliff. Catherine "selflessly" spews damning statements about Heathcliff's character, so as to protect Isabella from Heathcliff. In reality, Catherine is trying to prevent Isabella from marrying the person she truly loves. Realizing Catherine's selfishness, Isabella pronounces, " 'You are a dog in the manger, Cathy, and desire no one to be loved but yourself' " (93). Catherine, by nature, is motivated by her lust for control, and perhaps the most powerful form of control is love. And that's why she yearns for it so ardently.
Heathcliff, unlike Catherine, is damned from the start. When Mr. Earnshaw brings him home, the other children do not like him. He is the "black sheep" of the family. A gypsy. A fortune teller's son. A thief. The other characters assume that because he is from a foreign land, he automatically will be evil. Heathcliff is almost a self-fulfilling prophecy, in that he becomes what people expect of him. When Mrs. Linton remarks, " 'A wicked boy, at all events... and quite unfit for a decent house!' " (45) It almost encourages Heathcliff to behave wickedly, which may result from his lack of self-knowledge. Heathcliff, as well as the Earnshaws and Lintons, have only a vague understanding of from where Heathcliff came and what his childhood entailed; without self-knowledge, Heathcliff falls into a cycle of resentment and revenge. Nelly tells him, " 'You are incurable, Heathcliff,' " which suggests that his resentment and inability to accept his own identity prevents him from forgiving others and moving forward in life (46). Heathcliff feels entitled to the privileges given to Catherine and Hindley, but when he doesn't receive them, he becomes vengeful. While pondering how to get revenge on Hindley, Heathcliff claims " 'God won't have the satisfaction that I shall' " (55). This reveals the motivation behind his actions. Revenge. Punishment to those who wronged him. He does not recognize his own faults and involvement in his own misfortunes. He pushes the blame onto others because he cannot accept the blame to be his own. When he holds Nelly and Catherine hostage, Heathcliff claims, " 'You'll force me to pinch the baby, and make it scream, before it moves your charity' " (246). He makes it appear as if his actions are out of his control. As if Nelly is responsible for his behaviors. Heathcliff creates his own identity, but does so based on other's judgments.
Heathcliff, unlike Catherine, is damned from the start. When Mr. Earnshaw brings him home, the other children do not like him. He is the "black sheep" of the family. A gypsy. A fortune teller's son. A thief. The other characters assume that because he is from a foreign land, he automatically will be evil. Heathcliff is almost a self-fulfilling prophecy, in that he becomes what people expect of him. When Mrs. Linton remarks, " 'A wicked boy, at all events... and quite unfit for a decent house!' " (45) It almost encourages Heathcliff to behave wickedly, which may result from his lack of self-knowledge. Heathcliff, as well as the Earnshaws and Lintons, have only a vague understanding of from where Heathcliff came and what his childhood entailed; without self-knowledge, Heathcliff falls into a cycle of resentment and revenge. Nelly tells him, " 'You are incurable, Heathcliff,' " which suggests that his resentment and inability to accept his own identity prevents him from forgiving others and moving forward in life (46). Heathcliff feels entitled to the privileges given to Catherine and Hindley, but when he doesn't receive them, he becomes vengeful. While pondering how to get revenge on Hindley, Heathcliff claims " 'God won't have the satisfaction that I shall' " (55). This reveals the motivation behind his actions. Revenge. Punishment to those who wronged him. He does not recognize his own faults and involvement in his own misfortunes. He pushes the blame onto others because he cannot accept the blame to be his own. When he holds Nelly and Catherine hostage, Heathcliff claims, " 'You'll force me to pinch the baby, and make it scream, before it moves your charity' " (246). He makes it appear as if his actions are out of his control. As if Nelly is responsible for his behaviors. Heathcliff creates his own identity, but does so based on other's judgments.
In combination, Heathcliff and Catherine unite under a self-destructive relationship. They are counter-dependent on one another to the extent of obsession. Catherine lusts for love while Heathcliff lusts for revenge. And in the end, it is the same: Both seek control over others. And when their power is threatened, they react adversely. Catherine lies and throws tantrums, while Heathcliff plots revenge. Neither can reciprocate because both feel entitled. When Catherine dies, she cannot progress. And neither can Heathcliff. He blames Edgar for her death, but in actuality, he also played a role. Both Catherine and Heathcliff cannot accept their own faults, and their inability to control every aspect of their lives. And it leaves them suspended in a phase of arrested development.
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