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Language Allows for the True Portrayal Identity of Others in Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë

Decent Essays

Identity is how we define ourselves, how we see ourselves within our communities and it is what we portray to others. In the novel Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë the eloquent use of language allows for the true portrayal of the identities of all the characters in the story. Emily uses anecdotes and metaphors to portray her characters in all their glory. Wuthering Heights is about the consecutive search for one’s true identity by two primary characters. This essay will specifically focus on Catherine and Heathcliff’s search for their identities. Heathcliff and Catherine both vary in social status as the book progresses, each of their respective sexes play a large role in their identities and the choices they make also influence their …show more content…

Catherine is confused about her identity. The “mirror” represents her entire being and her identity. She is frightened by herself and therefore is confused about her true identity. Had Catherine know her true identity she would not have been scared because she would have been able to draw a link between her image in the mirror and the feelings inside her, this is what identity is; the link between ones inner and outer self and how they come together to make a person who they are. Catherine feels shame because she knows she should know who she is but with all the confusion she has within her life; being “wrenched from the Heights” (125) at such a young age and the instability of men in her life has caused total confusion and delusion about who she really is.
The above quotes discussed the crises that Catherine and Heathcliff have endured throughout the novel. Their identity crises sum together because they both long for each other but due to social hierarchy, choices and sex they never are able to solve their problems. It is obvious this is true because when Catherine says “I am Heathcliff” (82) she associates her identity with that of

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