Basic Definitions Useful Quotes
Patrilinearlity, also known as the male line or agnatic kinship, is a common kinship system in which an individual's family membership derives from and is traced through his or her father's lineage. It generally involves the inheritance of property, rights, names, or titles by persons related through male kin.
|
"He divined that one of his enemy's purposes was to secure the personal
property, as well as the estate, to his son: or rather himself; yet why he did not wait till his decease was a puzzle to my master, because ignorant how nearly he and his nephew would quit the world together. However, he felt that his will had better be altered: instead of leaving Catherine's fortune at her own disposal, he determined to put it in the hands of trustees for her use during life, and for her children, if she had any, after her. By that means, it could not fall to Mr. Heathcliff should Linton die." (Page 282) This dialogue shows the length of Heathcliff's efforts to gain the property as his plan of revenge. This quote may be referenced to the author's message, portraying a vengeful mindset in a bad light. "Ah, I thought myself, she might recover, so waited on as she was. And there was double cause to desire it, for on her existence depended that of another: we cherished the hope that in a little while Mr. Linton’s heart would be gladdened, and his lands secured from a stranger’s gripe, by the birth of an heir." (Page 135) Nelly expresses her hopes of Catherine giving birth to a son. Thus Edgar would have an heir, securing Thrushcross Grange from the inheritance of a 'stranger; according to patrilineal law. "Hindley became tyrannical. A few words from her, evincing a dislike to Heathcliff, were enough to rouse in him all his old hatred of the boy. He drove him from their company to the servants, deprived him of the instructions of the curate, and insisted that he should labour out of doors instead; compelling him to do so as hard as any other lad on the farm." (Page 46) This quote from shows one of the cruel acts of Hindley upon Heathcliff. Cruel treatment of Heathcliff shown here is evidence of why he plans to commit vengeful acts, using patrilineal law to aid his revenge. |