Although Brontes initial characterisation of Catherine presents her as a rebelling child, she inevitably conforms to societys expectations which

suggests, as Marxist theory argues, that Humans are not free and independent agents. It could be argued that in her early childhood Cathys friendship with Heathcliff offers her the relative freedom of being outside the social structure of her family and class; as Nelly Dean describes, they both promised to grow up as rude as savages. This argument is furthered by critic Terry Eagleton who suggests that Heathcliffs lack of any defined place within the social and economic structure of the Heights makes him Catherine natural companion, since she, as the daughter who doesnt expect to inherit, is the least economically integral person in the family 1. However one could also argue that it is this position that inevitably leads her to marry Edgar Linton over Heathcliff, as he will be rich and she should like to be the greatest woman of the neighbourhood.

In addition, Catherines transformation after her stay at Thrushcross Grange confirms the Marxist idea that we are not separate from the socio-economic condition we live under. This becomes increasingly apparent when Cathy and Heathcliff are discovered intruding at the Grange and the Lintons react, as Graham Holderness states, to an invasion from outside with the instincts of property owners2. Yet it is the way that their reactions differ to Cathy and to Heathcliff that clearly highlight the class divide between the two friends. Whilst Heathcliff is immediately recognised as a criminal type (the villain scowls so
1

The English Novel: An Introduction Terry Eagleton (Blackwell) Wuthering Heights Graham Holderness (Open guides to literature)

plainly in his face would it not be a kindness to hang him at once, before he shows his villainy in acts as well as features), Cathy is eventually accepted into the Grange. When she finally returns to the Heights, Bronte describes the extent of Catherines transformation through Nellys narration. She describes how instead of a wild, hatless savage jumping into the house there lighted from a handsome black pony a very dignified person, with long brown ringlets falling from the cover of a feathered beaver, and a long cloth habit which she was obliged to hold up with both hands. Hindley exclamation I should scarcely recognise you: you look like a lady now emphasises Catherine acceptance of her determined position in society. This is also evident through the change of her manner, which becomes more influenced by materialistic desires. Nelly observes how while her eyes sparkled joyfully when the dogs came bounding up to her, she dared hardly touch them lest they should fawn upon her splendid garments. This idea is further suggested by the contrast between Cathys reaction to Heathcliff before and after her transformation. Hindley treatment of Heathcliff reinforces the class divisions by instructing Heathcliff to come and wish Miss Catherine welcome, like the other servants'. This is also emphasises when, after Cathy shakes Heathcliffs hand she gazed concernedly at the dusky fingers she held in her own and also at her dress; which she feared and gained no embellishment from its contact with his. Rather than the relative freedom that the friendship used to offer Cathy, after her transformation it serves as a reminder of the class boundaries that ultimately she will never be able to cross.

Furthermore it is the socio-economic conditions that significantly influence Catherines decision to marry Edgar rather than Heathcliff; as Terry Eagleton argues, in a crucial act of self-betrayal and bad faith, Catherine rejects Heathcliff as a suitor because he is socially inferior to Linton 3. It could be argued that Heathcliffs lack of education is a crucial factor in Cathys choice to marry Edgar. As a result of Hindleys tyrannical rule, Nelly observes how he had by that time lost the benefit of his early education: continual hard work, begun soon and concluded late, had extinguished any curiosity he once possessed in pursuit of knowledge, and any love for books or learning. During the Victorian era there was a strong correlation between education and social standing, which explains why there was no prevailing on him to take a step in the way of moving upward, when he found he must, necessarily, sink beneath his former level. Above all Catherines marriage to Edgar demonstrates the way in which she conforms to societys expectations, despite knowing that she will always love Heathcliff; as she herself explains, Ive no more business to marry Edgar Linton than I have to be in heaven; and if the wicked man in there had not brought Heathcliff so low, I shouldnt have thought it. It would degrade me to marry Heathcliff now; so he shall never know how I love him. It is through her choice to marry Edgar through which Bronte most clearly demonstrates that view that it is not the consciousness of men that determine their existence but their social existence that determines their consciousness. Whilst it could be argued that, according to Marxist theory, Cathys freedom of choice to marry who she pleases is illusory; her resulting mental breakdown can perhaps be better understood through a psychoanalytical analysis.
3

The English Novel: An Introduction Terry Eagleton (Blackwell)

Sigmund Freud believed that the personality was split into three different parts, which he named the Id the Ego and the Superego; he claimed that all three parts needed to be present in equal amounts in order to have reasonable mental health. It is clear from the first mention of Catherine in Wuthering Heights that the significance of these three parts plays an important role in the novel. Lockwood comes across a name repeated in all kinds of characters, large and small Catherine Earnshaw, here and there varied to Catherine Heathcliff, and then again to Catherine Linton. As the novel progresses it becomes evident that Cathys Id, Ego and Superego are represented by Earnshaw, Heathcliff and Linton, without all three parts present her mental health begins to deteriorate; as demonstrated by Heathcliffs departure in Chapter 9 which leads to her self-determined illness. Conversely, Gilbert and Gubar suggest that the writing of the name Catherine in its various manifestations of Earnshaw, Heathcliff and Linton on the windowsill, reveals the crucial lack of identity that is common to all women under patriarchy, what Catherine, or any girl must learn is that she does not know her own name, and therefore cannot know who she is or whom she is destined to be.