Their disregard and contempt is widely apparent and outwardly shown to the young Jane. Not only does Mrs. Reed treat Jane with disgust but her children as well show Jane no sympathy or kindness. The children treat Jane as a servant and not as a contemporary. "What do you want?- I asked, with awkward diffidence. "Say, what do you want, Master Reed, was the answer- (3). Much like the Reeds, Hindley also felt that Heathcliff was an intruder. Hindley had to tolerate Heathcliff when his father was alive, however, once he passed on Hindley became cruel and intolerable. He too treats Heathcliff like an outcast. "He drove him from their company to the servants, deprived him of the instructions of the curate, and insisted that he should labor out of doors instead, compelling him to do so, as hard any other lad on the farm- (58). In each of the stories the despise that is felt is based on jealousy. Hindley hates Heathcliff because his own father revered Heathcliff more than him. Likewise Mrs. Reed was jealous of Jane's mother who was closer to Mr. Reed and because he showed Jane more attention than he ever showed his own children. This jealousy drove the characters to act as they did and it developed into an unrelenting and all absorbing hatred for even on her deathbed Mrs. Reed would not reconcile with Jane.
For as many similarities as there are in characters in the novels, there are as many differences. Perhaps the greatest difference is that Charlotte created likable characters, most notably the heroine Jane Eyre. Emily's characters all possess some flaw that makes them intolerable; all are selfish and vengeful. Heathcliff, the central figure in Wuthering Heights, has none of the redeeming qualities Jane has. Whereas pity might be felt for Heathcliff in the beginning of the novel, his actions throughout are enough to drive even his most adamant supporters out of his corner.