A Comparison of the Divided Self in Wuthering Heights and Frankenstein :: comparison compare contrast essays

Wuthering Heights and Frankenstein - Theme of the shared out self  Theme of the divided self in spite of appearance Emily Brontes Wuthering Heights and Mary Shelleys Frankenstein. Thematically, the divided self is one of the most interesting themes within both novels and is of great importance to the development or ruin of the characters in both Wuthering Heights and Frankenstein. Both authors when generally exploring this theme focus upon the physical, mental or spiritual division within certain characters.   In Emily Brontes novel Wuthering Heights, the principal characters Cathy and Heathcliff are presented as needing this division within themselves to recognise their need for each other. This endurance of physical, mental and spiritual division whilst alive, allows them only tragically to experience when in death, complete entity within themselves.   Primarily Cathy is non depicted as divided instead, she is presented as belonging to a family unit, which seems to stay intact until the arrival of a gypsy brat. Although Heathcliff creates a divide within the family due to his arrival, Cathy is seen to chance upon a friend with whom she feels she has an affinity both physically, spiritually and mentally, which will become increasingly evident as the novel progresses. However, this alliance throughout the novel is a great deal thrown into turmoil by outside influences or factors. As we are informed from the onset, the greatest punishment that could be bestowed upon Cathy was separation from Heathcliff.   Cathy and Heathcliffs separation only wherefore ensues as a result of their initial outing to Thrushcross Grange. Their promise to grow up together as rude as savages, is destroyed when Cathy and Heathcliff are separated physically by many factors resulting from this visitation. Just as the Lintons dog holds Cathy, so too is the Lintons house symbolically presented as separating her from Heathcliff, when Heathcliff resorts to peering in through their great glass panes to see Cathy, later being physically dragged out of Thrushcross Grange.   Cathy is also depicted as physically separated from Heathcliff even when she returns to Wuthering Heights. Instead of a wild, hatless little savage with whom Heathcliff has an affinity with, she returns as a very dignified person. Heathcliff is now therefore separated physically from Cathy, not only by appearance but as he said in the previous chapter, her superiority to everybody, including him.   The presentation of Cathy and Heathcliff as physically divided is not only literally seen through the differing households but also through Cathys own actions and attire.