Wuthering Heights - The Silent Villain

Nelly is raised among Catherine and Hindley due to her mother's occupation as a servant of the Earnshaws. Disregarding the notion that young Nelly Dean is not his biological child, Mr. Earnshaw provides her with love which is nearly equivalent to that of his own children. On his course to Liverpool, Nelly states, "He promised to bring me a pocketful of apples and pears" (Bronte 28). This act of kindness exhibits Nelly as an active member of the Earnshaw family. In conclusion, her close tie to their household gives her the ability to pass judgment on Catherine, Hindley, and the adopted Heathcliff.  .
             Nelly, in her mind, begins to harshly judge those who could be perceived as her brothers and sister. Consequently, her negative view on the Earnshaw children is the foundation that sets in motion the calamity of Wuthering Heights. In the novel, Hindley is not alone when it comes to detesting Heathcliff; Nelly Dean also expresses her intense loathing of him. She recalls one specific instance in which a young Hindley physically harms Heathcliff by launching a metal object at him. After the confrontation was over, Nelly says, "I persuaded him easily to let me lay the blame of his bruises on the horse" (Bronte Ch.4). She further goes on to exercise her silver tongue on Heathcliff, preventing him from reporting his abuse to Mr. Earnshaw. The reader is given an undeniable glimpse of the evil Nelly is capable of and it is in this moment Hafley emphasizes, "It would be difficult to find an example of adolescent cruelty more poignant than Nelly's behavior here offers"(6). It can be suggested that if Nelly had not intervened in the situation, Hindley's parents would have put an end to or greatly minimized Heathcliff's torment by his brother. The absence of physical and mental abuse on Heathcliff hypothetically would have changed the course of events for the better. The young Heathcliff would not harbor any motives of revenge, reshaping his personality and boosting his self confidence.