The context of patrilineality is key to understanding one of Wuthering Heights most
prominent themes; revenge. The knowledge of several legislation in regard to family law in 19th century
England will also further aid this cause . The ability to properly fathom Heathcliff's revenge and the extent
of his planning, will further develop the message sent by Emily Bronte to readers. This message is a
warning to discourage acts fueled by revenge, as the novel shows that these only cause large collateral
and grief.
prominent themes; revenge. The knowledge of several legislation in regard to family law in 19th century
England will also further aid this cause . The ability to properly fathom Heathcliff's revenge and the extent
of his planning, will further develop the message sent by Emily Bronte to readers. This message is a
warning to discourage acts fueled by revenge, as the novel shows that these only cause large collateral
and grief.
Author's Knowledge
Patrilineality
Entail
Inheritance Act of 1833 & Wills Act of 1837
- Patrilineality, otherwise known as agnatic descent, is a form of kinship. It discerns the inheritance of titles, names, rights and property by those in a father’s lineage.
Entail
- An English common law, otherwise known as fee tail establishes a restriction with regard to an estate.
- This law serves the purpose of limiting the estate inherited from being altered, sold or acclaimed by a will. In legal terms, it cannot therefore be alienated. Instead, the property will consequentially be passed to the heir.
- Entail is acknowledged by the author despite its principals not being followed. The author recognizes that Heathcliff breaks this law via Nelly's recognition of this:
- "However, Mr. Heathcliff has claimed and kept them in his wife’s right and his also: I suppose legally; at any rate, Catherine, destitute of cash and friends, cannot disturb his possession." (Page 294).
Inheritance Act of 1833 & Wills Act of 1837
- Nelly's recognition of illegal activities is also in reference to the laws mentioned above. This is reinforced by the findings of a researcher C.P. Sanger, as the above laws are followed accordingly, except with regard to Heathcliff's acquiring of Catherine's assets and Thrushcross Grange.
- The researcher mentioned above states that even if Isabella had had an estate tail (male claims) or an estate fee-simple (total ownership), as her husband Heathcliff would have no right to her estate for life because Isabella was never in full possession of Thrushcross Grange.
- Significantly, Ellen Dean is aware that Linton Heathcliff cannot dispose of his property by will to Heathcliff because he is a minor. But, what happens is that Edgar Linton dies before he can enact a plan to prevent Heathcliff from taking his property. So, his money passes to Catherine and then to her husband, Linton. Although he is a minor, before 1838 and the Inheritance and Will Acts, he can make a "will of personality"; so, Heathcliff forces him to make such a will, leaving everything to his father.
- Heathcliff is wrongfully in possession of Thrushcross Grange, but Catherine is too destitute to contest his ownership. As the holder of Hindley's mortgage of Wuthering Heights, he also owns this, and he has his personal wealth acquired mysteriously, so he can fight Catherine if she tries to claim her father's estate that has passed to her husband Linton, who then willed it to Heathcliff.
- The full Inheritance Act legislation may be found here: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Will4/3-4/106/contents
Author's Use of Patrilineality (and Family Law)
Patrilineality is used by Heathcliff, for his primary objective throughout the book; revenge. Gaining a greater understanding of these laws will help the reader to understand the author's message about acts of revenge. We may fully observe the lengths that Heathcliff takes to carry out his plan.
Hindley
Catherine
Hindley
- Heathcliff plans his revenge on Hindley, a repayment for his cruel treatment. Heathcliff puts up with the torment as a result of his love for Catherine. However, when he learns that Catherine admits that she can never marry him and learns her true motives of social empowerment, he leaves Wuthering heights:
- "Nelly, I see now you think me a selfish wretch; but did it never strike you that if Heathcliff and I married, we should be beggars?" (Page 82)
- After learning of Catherine's marriage to Edgar, Heathcliff leaves, and swears to return and strike revenge upon those who wronged him. Heathcliff expresses his emotions, and his intent to Nelly:
- I’m trying to settle how I shall pay Hindley back. I don’t care how long I wait, if I can only do it at last. I hope he will not die before I do!” (Page 48)
- After three years, now educated and wealthy, Heathcliff exacts his revenge. Heathcliff uses his money and takes advantage of Hindley's gambling addiction, and becomes the mortgagee of Wuthering Heights, through the money lending law. This is shown by a statement:
- "The guest was now the master of Wuthering Heights: he held firm possession, and proved to the attorney—who, in his turn, proved it to Mr. Linton—that Earnshaw had mortgaged every yard of land he owned for cash to supply his mania for gaming; and he, Heathcliff, was the mortgagee. In that manner Hareton, who should now be the first gentleman in the neighborhood, was reduced to a state of complete dependence on his father’s inveterate enemy; and lives in his own house as a servant, deprived of the advantage of wages: quite unable to right himself, because of his friendlessness, and his ignorance that he has been wronged."(Page 188)
Catherine
- Heathcliff plans to also gain revenge on Catherine (and Edgar) for deserting him for a more socially acceptable marriage. He does this by gaining ownership of Thrushcross Grange. As Catherine and Edgar have a daughter, Heathcliff uses patrilineal law to gain control of Catherine's asset as Edgar passes away. He marries Isabella, and has a son Linton.
- A sickly effeminate child, Heathcliff manufactures a marriage, between Linton and Cathy, so that when Linton passes away, he will get Thrushcross Grange. Catherine cannot object, as she has no money and thus no means of regaining the property. Nelly acknowledges this:
- "However, Mr. Heathcliff has claimed and kept them in his wife’s right and his also: I suppose legally; at any rate, Catherine, destitute of cash and friends, cannot disturb his possession." (Page 294