After much abuse by Hindley as a child, Heathcliff develops into an uncaring, cruel and abusive adult. He speaks coldly about his ailing son Linton, "His life is not worth a farthing, and I won't spend a farthing on him" (292). Heathcliff is shown as cruel and cold hearted because he has no regard for his only son's welfare. Heathcliff not only lacks compassion as a father, but also displays abusive and violent behavior. He hangs Isabella's puppy dog and leaves her without a place to stay at the Heights. Then, after learning about Catherine's death, he "dashed his head against the knotted trunk [and] observed splashes of blood about the bark of the tree" (169). .
Heathcliff demonstrates a violent, physical expression of his frustrated love and loss of Catherine. In contrast, Edgar is a well-mannered and caring gentleman. When Heathcliff wishes to fight Edgar, Edgar refuses showing that he wishes to maintain peace in his household and spare Catherine from any further harm from Heathcliff. Moreover, Edgar also shares many tender and caring moments with his family. To provide cheer to the ailing Catherine during the winter months, Edgar places a "handful of golden crocuses on her pillow" (134). Edgar wishes his wife to dwell on the warm sunshine and flowers of the upcoming spring, hoping that these pleasant images will help her to become well. Bronte uses these foil characters to illustrate the moral nature of love. In contrast to Heathcliff, who symbolizes darkness and cruelty, Edgar is a gentle and caring human who is, perhaps, more worthy of love. .
Both Edgar and Heathcliff share a love with Catherine, but the nature of their love is markedly different. Heathcliff and Catherine's love is immature and non-physical. The scenes of the two running wild through the moorlands demonstrate the primitive or child-like nature of their love. As the expansive and wild moorland cannot be cultivated, neither can their love.
