" . . . he's more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same, and Linton's is as different as a moonbeam from lightning, or frost from fire."

The quote above shows the relationship that Catherine and Heathcliff have compared to the relationship that Catherine and Linton have. Catherine and Heathcliff are more of a whole than Catherine and Linton. (1)

• I’ve no more business to marry Edgar Linton than I have to be in heaven; and if the wicked man in there had not brought Heathcliff so low, I shouldn’t have thought of it. It would degrade me to marry Heathcliff now; so he shall never know how I love him; and that, not because he’s handsome, Nelly, but because he’s more myself than I am. (page 86)

In this quote, Catherine admits that she loves Heathcliff, but can't think of marrying him because he has been degraded by Hindley. Heathcliff hears this and he leaves Wuthering Heights not returning for 3 years.

• My love for Linton is like the foliage in the woods; time will change it, I'm well aware, as winter changes the trees. My love for Heathcliff resembles the eternal rocks beneath--a source of little visible delight, but necessary. Nelly, I am Heathcliff! He's always, always in my mind--not as a pleasure, any more than I am always a pleasure to myself, but as my own being. (page 88)

The extent of love between Catherine and Heathcliff is shown here.

• I'd as soon put that little canary into the park on a winter's day, as recommend you to bestow your heart on him!...He's not a rough diamond--a pearl-containing oyster of a rustic: he's a fierce, pitiless, wolfish man. (page 109)

Although, she loves Heathcliff, Catherine realizes the man he has become and strongly advises Isabella to not get involved with him. Isabella thinks she is only jealous and does not take her advise.
(2)

• It would degrade me to marry Heathcliff now; so he shall never know how I love him; and that, not because he’s handsome, Nelly, but because he’s more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same, and [Edgar’s] is as different as a moonbeam from lightning, or frost from fire.

This is a quote from when Catherine is talking to Nelly about her reply to Edgar's proposal and is a turning point of the plot. It is overhearing this conversation that Heathcliff hears Catherine say that it would degrade her to marry Heathcliff and then he leaves. When it is said "he's more myself than i am" it shows how they are unified and are so alike.(3)

• "Better to reign in Hell, then serve in Heaven."

This quote is from Paradise Lost, however Heathcliff says this explaining that he would rather be at Wuthering Heights, which is represented as hell, than be unwanted at Thrushcross Grange. Heathcliff makes this comment after the Lintons kick him out and take Catherine in. (4)

• "This writing, however, was nothing but a name repeated in all kinds of characters, large and small—Catherine Earnshaw, here and there varied to Catherine Heathcliff, and then again to Catherine Linton. In vapid listlessness I leant my head against the window, and continued spelling over Catherine Earnshaw—Heathcliff—Linton, till my eyes closed; but they had not rested five minutes when a glare of white letters started from the dark, as vivid as spectres—the air swarmed with Catherines..."

This quote was the first introduction of the name of the character Catherine to the readers. It is the first time Lockwood is finding secrets about Wuthering Heights, and attempting to understand them. Later, we learn about the history of Catherine and why she is given two names. It is not sure whether this vision described by Lockwood is actually supposed to be a dream or not. First he sees her name, but then it becomes more clear when he actually sees her. This name haunts him as he reads it over, and sees Catherine. We will find out soon that her name haunts more than just Lockwood. (5)

• ...Catherine Earnshaw, may you not rest as long as I am living! You said I killed you--haunt me, then! The murdered do haunt their murderers. I believe--I know that ghosts have wandered on earth. Be with me always--take any form--drive me mad! only do not leave me in this abyss, where I cannot find you! Oh God! it is unutterable! I cannot live without my life! I cannot live without my soul! (page 176)

Heathcliff passionately pleads for Catherine not to leave him after she has died. (6)


" . . . treachery and violence are spears pointed at both ends; they wound those who resort to them worse than their enemies." (7)

This quote discusses the use of "treachery and violence" in life, and how these negatives actions can affect those who are involved with them. The quote is saying that if you must resort to treachery and/or violence, they will only end up hurting you more than the person that you tried to use them against.


1. http://www.litquotes.com/quote_title_resp.php?TName=Wuthering%20Heights
2. http://www.novelguide.com/wutheringheights/toptenquotes.html\
3. http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/wuthering/quotes.html
4. http://www.litquotes.com/quote_topic_resp.php?QuoteType=Hell&Amazon=Hell
5. http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/wuthering/quotes.html
6.http://www.novelguide.com/wutheringheights/toptenquotes.html
7. http://www.litquotes.com/quote_title_resp.php?TName=Wuthering%20Heights&page=2