In this novel, "book" plays an important role, which shows each character's’
personality indirectly. How does the book relate to characters in the novel?
Let us see the following analysis:
Catherine ~
She is the one who
doesn'tt like to stay at home but like go out to the moor and contact nature.
To her, the happiest thing is to play with Heathcliff and leave everything
in boring home--- including reading books. Remember the example: when Catherine
was sick, Linton tried to entertain her through reading books and put books
in front of her to appeal her to read. However, she was not appealed to
books, she even didn't look at them at all. She preferred sitting in front
of the window, looking outside all day, rather than picking up a book and
reading. Through this example, we know some part of Catherine's’ personalities---
doesn’t like to be controlled, and doesn’t like things that are bored and
quiet to her. On the other hand, she used books’ margins as diary to express
her feelings, that also shows she doesn’t cherish books but use them in
another way.
Heathcliff ~
Just as Catherine,
he doesn't like books, and even hate them, for he thinks that books cause
people proud and critical. All those people who receive nice education
always look down on him because he isn't well-educated. Therefore, he hates
everything about education, of course includes books. Besides, "Bible"
is one of the hatred of Heathcliff, for Joseph often scolds Catherine and
Heathcliff and read bible as an punishment. So to Heathcliff, Bible is
not meaningful to him but only a useless punishment. Books are like prison,
taking away his freedom; while"nature" is totally different from everything
at home, and that's why he prefer to be punished, he would still like to
go out to the moor.
Joseph ~
When we think of Joseph,
we always think of "Bible". In his life, bible is the most
important thing, which supports him to live. Therefore, we can know that
he follows everything bible mentioned. What he said is about "religious
language", and his view of life must be always correct, no errors at all.
So, when others did something opposite his rules, he scolded them severely
and pleased God to forgive or punish them. Through this, we can penetrate
his personality--- stubborn and serious.
Nelly Dean ~
She is an educated
woman, and she has read many books from her master's library. So actually
she is not a common countrywoman. In her mind, book is a good thing, which
keeps her improving herself. Therefore, when she finish her own job, she
would like to read some books as an interest. Through her description of
the stories, we know that her educational degree is not low.
Edgar and Isabella
~
Both of them are from
rich family, so they received education, of course they contact with books
very often. They like to read books, they regard books as tools to
improve and learn. Besides, Edgar sometimes takes books as shelter
of soul, we can see the example: when Edgar and Catherine argued about
Heathcliff, Edgar chose to stay at his library, reading books
for three days. Because he didn't want to face the problem, so he
could only hide himself into books, trying to seek some ways to ease his
sorrow. Through his attitude toward books, we can say that he depend upon
books, maybe he can release his pressure through that way. He is a tender
and thoughtful man, he would hide himself to solve problems rather than
hurt others hashly.
Young Cathy ~
Because her mother
died after she was born, so her father influences her deeper than her mother.
Nevertheless, she is also interested in reading books. In books' world,
she can always find something new and surprising, and that develops her
knowledge and attitude toward life. Nice education brought her more reasonable,
and thoughtful personalities. When she knew Linton was ill, she came to
accompany him and read books for him. She regards them as valuable things,
so she would like to share with others. This also shows kind and general
side of her.
Linton ~
He is always weak
and sick, and he can't run or play as other children, so he does
everything passively. On the other hand, although his father--- Heathcliff
let him receive education, Linton is still not interested in reading books
actively. Until Cathy read them for Linton, and Linton thinks this is a
good chance to contact with Cathy, so he becomes more active in reading
books.
Hareton ~
Actually his background
is similar to Heathcliff's. Both of them are controlled by others, and
they can't have their own interests, they can only work for others.
Nevertheless, Hareton doesn't like books, for he knows nothing of what
they talked about--- he didn't receive education. And the environment
of his is bad, so he has no time and intend to learn. After Cathy appeared,
he starts to learn actively, he wants to prove his ability. So actually
he is interested in learning, but he has no chance to learn before. The
biggest difference between Heathclff and Hareton is that, Heathcliff raise
his society status through making money; while Hareton did that through
reading and learning.