Forsaking Love for Gain
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In her novel Wuthering Heights Emily Bronte addresses the seriousness undertaken by women when presented with marriage. The gravity of such situations forces Catherine to choose between ardor or her overall welfare. By forfeiting passion for social power and affluence, Catherine becomes an archetype of the women of the 18th century who formulated their marriages based on survival and gain.
The division of class based on financial differences determines Catherines decision of her future husband. As a woman, Catherine has no ability nor is given any opportunity to provide for herself outside of acquisitioning an advantageous marriage. When the situation arises of who she is to accept, Edgar or Heathcliff, Catherine intelligently chooses the former for she rightly states that “if Heathcliff and I married, we should become beggars” (80). When Hindley becomes master of Wuthering Heights he degrades Heathcliff so low that his means of security are pitiful. If Catherine were to elope with Heathcliff Hindley would disinherit her and leave her and Heathcliff without either employment or shelter. As foresight to the future, Catherine correctly judges Edgar as the best candidate for he not only has the currency but stability to provide for her and if she
so chose to have family. Heathcliffs instability proves illogical for him to become the choice of a suitor.
Economic security is one facet of Catherines acceptance of Edgar while the others are the attainment of reward and prestige. Marriage to a man of Edgars class ensures Catherine with the title that she desires, “the greatest woman of the neighborhood” (76). As Edgars wife, she retains the opulence presented to her by Thrushcross Grange and the finery that includes dress and any luxury. She will want for nothing. Catherine also receives power a wife is given through marriage to a high societal ranking man and with it comes benefits of her new class. Accepting a marriage that is offering societal gain proves the smarter decision for Catherine instead of one with Heathcliff were their passion will offer only momentary happiness till it is lost in the effects of poverty.
Catherines marriage of financial and societal gain establishes makes her the typical woman of her time who did not lose reason in the throes of passion.