How does the relationship between Heathcliff and Catherine as soulmates and the love that they have for one another affect the actions and decisions they make in their lives?.
Response.
Throughout Emily Bronte's novel Wuthering Heights, Heathcliff and Catherine's profound love for each other and their relationship as soulmates is reflected upon the decisions and actions made by the two. This is seen when both Heathcliff and Catherine try to overcome numerous obstacles, Heathcliff's reactions to Catherine's death, and Heathcliff's long urge to seek revenge on Edgar. The first way in which Brontë shows how Heathcliff and Catherine's relationship as soul mates affects the decisions they made is seen by having them overcome numerous obstacles in order to be close to each other. Even though the obstacles presented to the characters vary and have different results, all of the hardships that come between Catherine and Heathcliff have the same effect on both of them after the problem has passed. .
In chapter 11, Edgar and Heathcliff had a conflict in the kitchen. Edgar punches Heathcliff in the throat and walks away in fear of the bigger Heathcliff. Edgar went to get help and Heathcliff leaves, "Heathcliff, on the second thoughts, resolved to avoid a struggle against three underlings: he seized the poker, smashed the lock from the inner door, and made his escape as they tramped in" (321). Enraged Edgar tells Catherine that she must choose either him or Heathcliff. She refused to speak to Edgar and locks herself up in her room and did not eat for days. She becomes very ill and never fully recovers. "It is hard to forgive, and to look at those eyes, and feel those wasted hands, he answered. I forgive what you have done to me. I love my murderer-but yours! How can I" (360)? This quote is said by Heathcliff to Catherine, it shows that Catherine did kill herself because she could not be together with him.