Catherine Earnshaw: A Feminist Role Model
In Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights, Catherine Earnshaw is unaware of her proper gender role as a child. Her free spirit and carefree attitude allow her independence from conventional girlish norms. She is not concerned with fancy dresses or curls in her hair; instead, she prefers running barefoot through the moors and frolicking recklessly with Heathcliff. However, for Catherine, change is inevitable. In order for her to become a suitable wife and mother, she will have to transform from "a wild, hatless little savage" to a dignified female (63). Catherine is forced to abandon her fantasy childhood and outdoor adventures in order to accomplish her goals and unconsciously "turn the table" on an overbearing patriarchal system. Catherine is content with her life at Wuthering Heights until she sees the beauty and sophistication within the walls of Thrushcross Grange. After returning from Thrushcross Grange without Catherine, Heathcliff describes what he saw: "ah!--it was beautiful -- a splendid place carpeted with crimson, and crimson-covered chairs and tables, and a pure white ceiling bordered by gold" (60). Catherine is awestruck by the house's elegance and beauty, but more
Unlike the men of her day, Catherine's struggle to obtain the "best of both worlds" is beyond her reach. Catherine's charade causes her to crumble and break, keeping her from prospering in her newly acquired wealth and status. Catherine's transition from a tomboy to a lady begins during her stay at Thrushcross Grange. Upon returning to Wuthering Heights, Catherine is besieged with compliments and flattery applauding her newfound womanhood and reinforcing her gender role. Hindley, who previously condemned Catherine, now treats her as a fragile object of beauty. Upon seeing Catherine for the first time, Hindley exclaims, "Why, Cathy, you are quite a beauty! I should scarcely have known you--you look like a lady now " (63). As is typical of the male perspective, Hindley hopes that Catherine will no longer care for running through the moors with Heathcliff, but instead marry Edgar and "bring honor to the family by an alliance with the Lintons" (93). Catherine accomplishes Hindley's wishes, but the results backfire. In fact, Catherine's marriage to Edgar magnifies Heathcliff's lower social status, leaving Catherine struggling between two opposing worlds. That will do to explain my secre
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Approximate Word count = 815
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)
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