Sociopaths are defined as "masters at influence and deception" (Adams 1). Little, if any, of what a sociopath says checks out as true. However, they are skilled at making their lies sound believable. Modern sociopaths are commonly convicted and found to be fraudsters, con artists, and scammers. Four percent of the population is a sociopath. However, signs of a sociopath are well-defined and can be easy to identify with proper knowledge (Adams 1). These signs can be applied to Heathcliff. In Emily Bronte's famed Wuthering Heights, the main character Heathcliff displays distinct qualities of sociopathic tendencies-such as manipulation and erratic behavior-during the three stages of his life: childhood, young adulthood, and adulthood.
Throughout this childhood time he displays expressions of rage towards other children and behaviors that are both callous and unemotional, both of which are clear warning signs for sociopathy later in life. Even as a child Heathcliff had a strong attachment to Catherine. When he saw her affection leaning towards Edgar Linton, he attempted to clean up in order to impress her. Edgar, though, still commented on Heathcliff's long hair and Heathcliff, taking the remark as an insult, "seized a tureen of hot apple sauce and dashed it full against [Edgars] face and neck" (Bronte 73). This response is unnecessarily violent, a clear warning sign of sociopathic behavior later in life. Scott Thompson in his article "Identifying Sociopathy in Children" argues that, "extreme expressions of rage and aggression toward adults, other children or animals [are] common in children who have the potential to become sociopathic as adults" (Thompson 1-2). Given this is not the expected or appropriate response it can be classified as extreme. Heathcliff's decision to throw hot applesauce on Edgar is an overly large display of anger and aggression.