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Essay / Hindley's Search for Justice in Wuthering Heights
Justice and revenge are two similar terms with a very thin line between them. Both intend to correct a wrong action, whether physical or intangible. The difference lies in how action is taken against the wrongdoer: revenge is emotionally driven, personal and intentionally harmful, while justice seeks a rational and just balance without unnecessary suffering. Despite their differences, justice and revenge are seen as exactly the same in Emily Brontë's novel Wuthering Heights, notably by the antagonist Hindley Earnshaw. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned"?Get the original essayHindley is the only biological son of the Earnshaw family, and as a "fourteen-year-old boy", he is almost fit to to be a man (Brontë 37). His family is made up of landowners who have servants who “[hang] around the farm, ready for whatever anyone throws at them” (Brontë 36). Because they live on a farm and not an elite mansion like Thrushcross Grange, they are not exactly upper class, but the fact that they own servants demonstrates that the family is still financially well off. In addition to his social position, Hindley seems to have a peaceful family life. Hindley's father, Mr. Earnshaw, clearly dotes on him, calling him "[his] good man" and allowing him to "choose what he would like" that Mr. Earnshaw gives him on his trip to Liverpool (Brontë 36 ). Overall, Hindley has a great life: he's a young white man with a financially stable and loving home life. Hindley's life is changed forever when "a dirty, ragged, black-haired child" is rescued from the streets of Liverpool by Mr. Earnshaw (Brontë 37). Nothing is known about the boy except that he was “starving, homeless, and almost mute” (Brontë 37). Despite this, the boy is brought into the family and "named it... 'Heathcliff'... [after] the name of a son who died in childhood" (Brontë 38). From this moment on, Heathcliff gradually rises to the rank of favorite of his adoptive father. His high status, protected by Mr. Earnshaw, gives Heathcliff the power to manipulate his siblings into giving him everything he desires. He repeatedly blackmails and provokes his older adopted brother Hindley. Hindley is then enraged and humiliated at not being able to fight back because he would face his father's wrath if he "attempted to impose or dominate [Mr. Earnshaw's Favorite” (Brontë 41). Being Mr. Earnshaw's only biological son, Hindley was once held in great esteem, until he was replaced by Heathcliff as "favorite" (Brontë 38). From the beginning, young Hindley “[regards]…Heathcliff as a usurper of the affections and privileges of his parents” (Brontë 38) and over time his resentment only increases. Hindley hates Heathcliff for two reasons: first, Heathcliff is “as dark as if he came from the devil,” while the Earnshaws all possess white skin (Brontë 37). Racism was alive and well in the early 1800s (in fact, slavery hadn't even been abolished in England at the time of this novel, and Heathcliff himself refers to it in chapter 11). From this, and because Heathcliff is described as "dark" (Brontë 54) and called a "gypsy" (Brontë 40) several times throughout the novel, we can infer that Hindley's prejudice against Heathcliff is fueled by racism. is more than superficial: he mainly despises Heathcliff because the latter boy has stolen Mr. Earnshaw's affections and Hindley's seat of power. Hindley believes he is entitled to more power and.