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Who Is Emily Bronte's Life Justified?

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People enter another’s life for a reason. This saying is commonly used in regards to a person that one cherishes in his or her life, like a spouse, child or friend. However, in terms of Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights, this saying is not so endearing when put into the context of Heathcliff’s relationship with his ex-lover’s child, Cathy. Heathcliff believes that Cathy has been put into his life in order that he may manipulate her into fulfilling his revenge on the Linton family. Meanwhile, Edgar, Cathy’s father seeks to protect Cathy from Heathcliff’s evil influence. While Edgar Linton does have a distasteful history with Heathcliff, Edgar solely wants what is best for his daughter, even if that does mean letting Heathcliff get his revenge. …show more content…

Edgar, as Cathy’s father, has always wanted what was best for his daughter and keeping her away from the wicked character that is Mr. Heathcliff is one of those measures that he can take to protect his daughter. After Cathy meets Mr. Heathcliff and Linton at Wuthering Heights for the first time Edgar questions her, “The you believe I care more for my own feelings than yours, Cathy? No, it was not because I disliked Mr. Heathcliff; but because Mr. Heathcliff dislikes me; and is a most diabolical man, delighting to wrong and ruin those he hates, if they give him the slightest opportunity. I knew that you could not keep up an acquaintance with your cousin, without being brought into contact with him; and I knew he would detest you , on my account; so, for your own good, and nothing else, I took precautions that you should not see Linton again” (Brontë). Mr. Linton wished solely to protect his daughter from the man who hates him. Cathy would have been mentally and also perhaps physically abused by the wretchedness that is Mr. Heathcliff at an earlier stage of her life had her father not taken the precautions to keep he separated from Heathcliff and his kindred. Mr. Linton even admitted to having wanted to “explain this [situation], some time, as [Cathy] grew older, and [he was] sorry [he] delayed it!” (Brontë). It was not …show more content…

Even though Edgar originally kept Cathy away from her cousin so that she may not run into Mr. Heathcliff, Edgar again unselfishly thought of what was best for his daughter’s heart and future and allowed her to pursue a relationship with Linton. Edgar while talking with Nelly exclaimed, “ What can I do for Cathy? How must I quit her? I’d not care one moment for Linton being Heathcliff’s son; nor for his taking her from me, if he could console her for my loss. I’d not care that Heathcliff gained his ends, and triumphed in robbing me of my last blessing! But should Linton be unworthy…I cannot abandon her to him!” (Brontë). Mr. Linton, knowing that he will die soon, set aside his own inner disgust of Heathcliff in order that his daughter may find in Linton a man who would take care of her and love her. Instead of allow Cathy go to Wuthering Heights where she would see Mr. Heathcliff, instead Edgar allowed his daughter to correspond with young Linton at his own home and through letters. Although Edgar took control over Cathy’s love-life with Linton, he had justification in doing so to keep her safe and help to build a happy life for his daughter after his

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