Big Books of 2026
Phoebe Jeziel asked this question about Wuthering Heights:
Do you think Heathcliff loved Hareton, even though he said he didn't? Heathcliff used Hareton for his revenge, but I can't help but feel like Heathcliffe loved Hareton despite not wanting too (or maybe he loved him as much as someone like him could love the son of his sworn enemy). Not to mention that Hareton loved Heathcliff like a father and Hareton's love couldn't have come up out of nowhere.
Imene Remember that while Catherine was still alive and Heathcliff was lodging at Wuthering Heights, Hareton tells Nelly that he is fond of Heathcliff for d…moreRemember that while Catherine was still alive and Heathcliff was lodging at Wuthering Heights, Hareton tells Nelly that he is fond of Heathcliff for defending him against his father and giving him money, which he had no point in doing if he didn't like or "love" Hareton as a nephew/son.

Quote (Ch. 11)
‘I asked if he liked Mr. Heathcliff.’
‘Ay!’ he answered again.
Desiring to have his reasons for liking him, I could only gather the sentences ‘I known’t: he pays dad back what he gies to me—he curses daddy for cursing me. He says I mun do as I will.’

Chapter 21:
Heathcliff: "Do you know that, twenty times a day, I covet Hareton, with all his degradation? I'd have loved the lad had he been some one else."

Heathcliff's relationship with Hindley is even more complicated; despite the physical and psychological abuse Heathcliff endured under Hindley, he pays the entire expense of his funeral and calls in the doctor in to check on his wellbeing before his death; he also attends his foster brother's funeral. Heathcliff is purposefully left morally ambiguous ( a Byronic hero); we don't know how he felt about the people he grew up with; we know he felt vengeance, but that doesn't equate to hatred. (less)
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Wuthering Heights
by Emily Brontë
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