Abstract

Emily Bronte is one of the most famous female novelists of the 19th century . However, in the history of English literature, her excellent writing Wuthering Heights is always regard as the most peculiar novel and an inscrutable book, since at first it was evaluate as “gloomy, indecorous and morbid-minded (Zheng Kelu 248)”, “a direful and brackish novel (Yang Jingyuan 129-130)”. The hero of the book, Heathcliff contributes a lot to such bad evaluation . Heathcliff , a man with complex love and hatred , is the soul of the book . With his character degeneration , He becomes a cloudy, cruel, mad and evil man. It is distressing to see His change and it is worth discussing . There are several reasons leading in this change: the torment from Hindley, the betray by Catherine and  identity suppression by Linton. However,the essence of these events is a straight conflict of directly opposed aims. The essential reasons can be concluded to the oppressing of social class and concept of money and pedigree. This paper will be divided into three parts. In the first part , I will introduce the significance and background of the paper. The second part consist of 3 sections . They are analysis of heathcliff’s character , summary of critical events leading to the degeneration and influence of class distinction . Here, I will analyze Heathcliff to discover his striking rebellious spirit and brilliant characteristic charms.The last part is conclusion . The reasons for Heathcliff’s change are multifarious . Especially, class distinction plays a serious and significant role in the process.

Keywords:  Heathcliff ; character; class distinction

Contents

Abstract

摘  要

1. Introduction-1

1.1 Background of The Study-1

1.2  Significance of the Study-1

2.The Analysis of the Character of Heathcliff-2

2.1 Love-2

2.2 Hatred-3

3.The Critical Events of Heathcliff’s Personality Degeneration-4

3.1 The Death of Mr. Earnshaw ---status change-4

3.2 Betray by Catherine-4

4.The Oppression of Social Class-5

4.1 Family-5

4.2 Hindley-6

4.3 Edgar Linton-7

5.Conclusion-8

reference-10