Reading 1001 discussion

8. Who or what does Heathcliff represent in the novel? Is he a force of evil or a victim of it? How important is the role of class in the novel, particularly as it relates to Heathcliff and his life?

Heathcliff is passion he is not evil by nature circumstances make him act in an evil way, if he had been better treated things may have turned out differently.

Heathcliff is treated as lower class he is not as good as the 2 families, which means he will always be an outsider.

Heathcliff is both a source of evil and a victim of it. His mistreatment based upon on his social class explains him...somewhat. His apparent deep seated need to avenge his past treatment is troubling in a psychological way. For me he is not likable despite his troubled past.

I agree with Book, Heathcliff is passion personified. He feels intensely. My mantra "everyone should have a Grand Passion" is derived from my acquaintance with Heathcliff.

I agree with Lynn on this one.

Pip wrote: "I agree with Book, Heathcliff is passion personified. He feels intensely. My mantra "everyone should have a Grand Passion" is derived from my acquaintance with Heathcliff."

But, Pip, Heathcliff's "passion" destroys Cathy, his own son, adoptive father's son. Notwithstanding his claim to be passionate, he is in fact obsessively controlling and manipulative and probably insane.

If you say so!

If Heathcliff is grand passion then I am opposite of Pip and would say we should not strive for grand passion. Heathcliff is evil/revengeful and obsessive.