In Emily Bronte's "Wuthering Heights," one of the most important motifs is how nature versus nurture impacts love. In this scene from Wuthering Heights, we are first introduced to the complex and intriguing character of Catherine through Lockwood's observations of the room. Although very subtle, this scene highlights the role that nature versus nurture plays in love and how Catherine struggled to choose between Edgar and Heathcliff. Due to Catherine's corruption through nurture, Heathcliff was unwilling to forgive her and move on from the transgression she committed in the past. .
In the first part of the passage, we are introduced to the notion that Heathcliff has yet to get over Catherine and the pain she caused him by barring anyone from entering the room. To Heathcliff, the room represents a time when he and Catherine were 'rebellious' towards Hindley. The diary that Lockwood discovers offers an early insight to how Catherine and Heathcliff used to have an incredible relationship, one that was characterized by their similar natures. But when Catherine came back from Thrushcross Grange, she no longer interacted with Heathcliff the same way she had done before. Because Catherine changed, Heathcliff could no longer love her the same way he had loved her before she had left. Thus Catherine's room serves as a reminder to Heathcliff of the love that he once had and how it was corrupted through nurture. .
As Lockwood discovered the writing in the room, the reader is introduced to the complexities in Catherine's life and her inability to choose between Edgar and Heathcliff. The varied spellings of 'Catherine Heathcliff' and 'Catherine Linton' entail that she drove herself mad over whom to choose. Catherine struggled to decide whether to fall in love with Heathcliff, whom she had a natural love for, or Edgar, whom she was nurtured to like while at the Thrushcross Grange.
