Internal Conflicts in Wuthering Heights
-What are Internal Conflicts?-
Internal conflicts are a psychological struggle within a literary character. While rarely directly mentioned, they instead impact a characters action or inaction. They often take the form of defense mechanisms as the character deals with significant grief or moral dilemma.
Heathcliff InternalHeathcliff is envious of Edgar, yet his attempts at revenge become tainted by his foe. Heathcliff is placed into a limbo by his son who resembles Edgar like a “younger brother” (contrasted in the above image).
While he loves Linton, despite his life-threatening illness, by giving him aid Heathcliff feels like he is helping his nemesis. Nature of Revenge
Linton is a pale, sickly child, much unlike his father; his name and appearance both resemble Edgar’s. Heathcliff is unable to hate Linton, even when ill having to try to make him a gentleman. Contradictory as Linton’s illness grows worse Heathcliff persists that he does not care. Heathcliff loves his son yet hates the past he reflects. By confusing this bond through internal conflict, Bronte demonstrates the destructive nature of revenge to all readers. |
Main Defense MechanismsMany defense mechanisms are displayed in Wuthering Heights, while not all discussed here in detail can each be used to show how negative actions can cause deep harm to characters, cautioning against the action.
Repression
Projection
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Catherine InternalCatherine is divided between marrying Heathcliff for love or Edgar for prestige. She immediately second-guesses her decision, and after marrying Edgar struggles to come to terms with her choice.
As the narrative voice, Nelly characterises Catherine’s worsening state. These conflicts are especially severe since although “never subject to depression of spirits”, now “Catherine had seasons of gloom and silence”. Greed and Selfishness
Catherine dreams of dying and going to heaven. In this regression-induced Freudian slip heaven represents the wealth and prestige obtained by marrying Edgar while the earth symbolised the love of Heathcliff. Her unconsciousness resists a marriage based on greed. She further falsifies reality by convincing herself that with wealth she can help Heathcliffhe, however this causes him to leave in disgust. Greed can only aggravate rather than solve problems. Catherine turns upon both Edgar and Heathcliff; projecting her own guilt upon the two. On her deathbed she verbally attacks Heathcliff, blaming him for her death.. Turning a loved character into one of despair and bitterness offers a shocking caution to a society valuing wealth over love. This is poignant to both period and modern readers. |
-Key Quotes-
Heathcliff Internal
Main Defense Mechanisms
Catherine Internal
- Isabella; Eyes “detestably resemble [Edgar] Linton's”
- Linton loved; Heathcliff “arranged everything with a view to preserve the superior and the gentleman in him”
- Linton hated; “his life is not worth a farthing, and I [Heathcliff] won't spend a farthing on him.”
Main Defense Mechanisms
- Repression; “Catherine had seasons of gloom and silence"
- Denial; “Mr Heathcliff is not a fiend. he has an honorable soul"
- Projection; "You and Edgar have broken my heart. . . . You have killed me- and thriven on it"
- Regression; "I wish I were a girl again, half savage and hardy, and free"
- Sublimation; "I was amazed, more than ever, to behold the transformation of Heathcliff”
Catherine Internal
- Catherine's Dream; “I was only going to say that heaven did not seem to be my home; and I broke my heart with weeping to come back to earth; and the angels were so angry that they flung me out into the middle of the heath on the top of Wuthering Heights; where I woke sobbing for joy”
- Believes wealth can solve problems; “If I marry Linton. I can aid Heathcliff to rise, and place him out of my brother’s power”
- Projects guilt; “You and Edgar have broken my heart. . . . You have killed me- and thriven on it”