4. Do you think Bronte succeeds in creating three-dimensional figures in Heathcliff and Cathy

[Jen]

4. Do you think Bronte succeeds in creating three-dimensional figures in
Heathcliff and Cathy, particularly given their larger-than-life metaphysical passion? Why or why not?

[[deleted user]]

Yes, they are human and they are flawed, they are not all good or all evil.

[Lynn]

Both characters are believable. But Heathcliff is really a darkness personified.

[Pip]

Yes, yes, yes. Cathy, and particularly Heathcliff were the most real and relevant figures in my fictional experience until I met Holden Caulfield.

[Diane]

I like Lynn's description of Healthcliff.

[Patrick]

They were both larger-than-life in their passion and their actions, almost to the point where I felt that they were unbelievable; but, yet, this is a central characteristic of the romantic era and philosophy.

[John]

I am afraid I must disagree. I found Heathcliff unbelievable. I can believe that someone like Heathcliff, raised in brutal circumstances, could become obsessed with revenge and twisted with hatred when betrayed by their love. But to believe himself to continue to be motivated by a passionate love? Didn't buy it. And thus I don't find either Heathcliff or Cathy particularly three-dimensional.

[Pip]

You probably didn't first read this as a teenager, then!

[John]

Pip wrote: "You probably didn't first read this as a teenager, then!"

Oh goodness no. And certainly not as a teenage girl. It is, in fact, easy for me to date exactly when I first read it. Early last week.

[Kristel]

I think they were a little bit sinister, this book really has Gothic feel all over it. Characters were well developed but maybe not so realistic.