Explore the Ways That Bronte Presents Different Types of Love in the First Part of the Novel

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EXPLORE THE WAYS THAT BRONTE PRESENTS DIFFERENT TYPES OF LOVE IN THE FIRST PART OF THE NOVEL Wuthering Heights explores many aspects of love; from the passionate, obsessive love between Catherine and Heathcliff to the almost convenient love of Catherine and Edgar. Bronte also explores many interesting views on marriage and the role of women. Catherine and Heathcliff’s love is not just an intensely passionate love but is portrayed as something more, as if they are soul mates or two parts of a whole. Catherine mentions her belief in existence beyond death and goes on to say ‘My great miseries in this world have been Heathcliff's miseries, and I watched and felt each from the beginning; my great thought in living is himself. If all else perished, and he remained, I should still continue to be; and, if all else remained, and he were annihilated, the Universe would turn to a mighty stranger. I should not seem part of it.’ I think this quote depicts Catherine and Heathcliff’s love. Catherine confirms that an existence with out Heathcliff would not be possible and that their souls are bound together. ‘If all else perished, and he remained, I would still continue to be’. This shows how otherworldly and strong Catherine believes their connection to be. This ethereal portrayal of Catherine’s love for Heathcliff greatly contrasts with her love for Edgar Linton. As Catherine describes her love for Edgar to Nelly, Bronte makes Catherine’s love seem superficial. ‘You love Mr Edgar, because he is handsome, and young, and cheerful, and rich, and loves you’. Nelly sums up Catherine’s love for Edgar and shows that her love for Edgar lacks any passion. ‘He will be rich, and I shall be the greatest woman of the neighborhood, and I shall be proud of having such a husband.’ Catherine wants to marry Edgar to become of a higher social class and live in comfort but feels none of

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