Evil, ghosts and the Wuthering Heights
If we call someone evil, what do we mean? The definition of the term ‘evil’ has varied across time, and continues to change as we believe less in traditional religions. The modern dictionary definition of evil is ‘profoundly immoral and wicked’, which is broad and does not give any description of the term evil. What are the intentions behind an ‘evil’ act, however? In contemporary times, evil is usually justified by self-interest, rather than just pure malice. Issues that may seems unrelated — such as the Facebook data scandal — are due to self-interest. Collecting and selling millions of users’ personal information generates profit for Facebook, even though it removes privacy of online users. While it may be a stretch to call this act as ‘evil’, this is the same self-interest that provides the motif for morally questionable acts.
Despite being written over 175 years ago, Wuthering Heights reflects this description of malevolence — readers of the novel are exposed to a world that explores the boundaries of human nature and various consequences of ‘evil’ intent and actions, such as abuse, hatred, and mistreatment. ‘Evil’ in the Wuthering Heights, like modern times, stem mostly from self-interest.
There are several immoral characters in the Wuthering Heights. Heathcliff, especially at the second volume, is more selfish and cares less about the others. Heathcliff gains control over Wuthering Heights and Grange by exploiting his physical might and relationships with others; morality for him is only a hindrance. Arguably one of his most despicable actions was forcefully marrying young Catherine and Linton to gain ownership of the Grange. The practice of arranged marriages is condemned today, as its bondage between the two people is usually born out of selfishness of the parents. The forced marriage in Wuthering Heights is no exception, as Heathcliff merely wanted ownership of the Grange, and cared little for his son or his new daughter-in-law.
Heathcliff certainly is not the only person in the story who is known for ‘evil’. At various parts of the novel, other characters had either expressed desires or performed actions that are immoral. At various part of the novel, Heathcliff’s brother Hindley had intentions of killing Heathcliff, especially near his end. At one point, Hindley had attempted to kill Heathcliff with a gun. After surveying a gun that Hindley intends to use against Isabella, Heathcliff’s wife, tells Nelly of a “hideous notion” that struck her: “‘how powerful should [she] be possessing such [a weapon]!” This shows, given the chance, both Isabella would do a “hideous” act, — such as killing someone — if it served her interest.
Another aspect of evil is symbolism used to represent evil: ie. ghosts, the devil, or darkness. The symbolic meaning of ghosts and the dead has changed significantly since the time of the Wuthering Heights. When we imagine a ghost, we think of either the supernatural, unknown or perhaps evil. In the Wuthering Heights, conversely, ghosts and death has a constant connotation of insanity. For example, when Heathcliff hears about Catherine Linton’s death, he simply refuses to believe it. Rather, he desires for Mrs.Linton’s ghost to ‘haunt’ him, suggest that he does not want “to live without his soul.” Mr.Lockwood also reveals his belief in ghosts at the end of the story. He believes that the Wuthering Heights can be left “‘for the use of ghosts as choose to inhabit it’”.
While the characters and events that take place in Wuthering Heights can be hard to conceive today, evil has co-relations today and in the past. Despite its many definitions, intents, and symbolisms, evil has persisted along with humanity, and it will likely persist in the future.