Abstract

This thesis is to argue that Heathcliff is a typical Byronic hero in Wuthering Heights. “Byronic hero” originates from the heroes in some works of George Gordon Byron. Those heroes mostly have a dual personality with passion, rebellious spirit, loneliness and merciless heart. As the only novel of Emily Bronte, Wuthering Heights portrays Heathcliff as a man who exhibits typical traits of a Byronic hero. He has a dual personality. The character of Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights is complicated and unpredictable. He is a social rebel and possesses the traits of lonely personality, passionate love and tyranny. All these characteristics indicate that he is a typical Byronic hero. This thesis analyzes the characteristics of Heathcliff that well match the features of a Byronic hero and further explores the social background and family atmosphere that facilitate the formation of Heathcliff’s characteristics. 

Key words：Emily Bronte; Wuthering Heights; Byronic hero; Heathcliff

Contents

Abstract

摘要

Introduction-1

1. Overview of Byronic Hero-3

    1.1 The Origin of Byronic Hero-3

    1.2 The Characteristics of Byronic Hero-4

2. Heathcliff as a Byronic Hero-6

    2.1 A Lonely Rebel-6

    2.2 Passionate Love-7

    2.3 Fatal Revenge-8

2.3.1 Revenge on Wuthering Heights-8

2.3.2 Revenge on Thrushcross Grange-9

2.3.3 Revenge on Innocent Animals-9

3. The Roots of Heathcliff’s Character-11

    3.1 The Social Factors-11

3.1.1 Inferior Social Status-11

3.1.2 Traditional Concept of Marriage-11

3.1.3 Oppression of the Christianity-12

    3.2 The Familial Oppression-12

Conclusion-14

References-15