Heathcliff

The character Heathcliff, from Emile Bronte's "Wuthering Heights" is a complicated case. At once cast into a world that was not his, he became the bearer of bad fortune by becoming a favorite of the master. It is, of course, natural that the biological children would become jealous of this, as Hindley did, but sad, nevertheless, because it was not something the young Heathcliff asked to be brought upon himself. After his protector dies, the end of the young man's reign seems apparent until the young girl takes a liking to him. It is within their friendship that Heathcliff finds peace. He is different, both darker in complexion and hair colour from the established wealth of his suroundings, yet with Cathy he has no need to pretend to be something that he is not. Simply able to be themselves, each of the children enjoy the other's company. This purest of realtionships is eventually destroyed; however, by the continuing hatred haboured by Hinley towards Heathcliff, and the desire of his wife to reform Cathy of her childish ways. With all his own house against him, the Lintons repulsed, the maid ubable to say anything, and even his old playmate suprisingly indifferent towards him now; he is left with nothing.
This emptiness leaves him with a last resort to conform to their expected standards, and yet when even this attempt is thwarted, Heathcliff fills his existence with the seemingly only emotion he has left: revenge.