Wuthering Heights
...o his skin colour, and the fact that he had ruined the presents of Hindley and Catherine. It came to the point where even the nurse, Nelly Dean, had the audacity to call Heathcliff a “Dark Skinned Gypsy”. This was one of the short term affects of the difference of social class between the Earnshaws and Heathcliff. The relationship he had with Hindley was one of the long term affects of social class. Hindley instantly became Heathcliffs enemy, for a variety of reasons. He managed to mistreat Heathcliff in such a way, that Heathcliff was scarred, emotionally and psychologically, vowing revenge on Hindley. This was definitely a major factor leading to the tragedy, and it was caused by social class. After Earnshaw dies, and Hindley takes over, it seems that Catherine is the link between the social classes. Hindley begins to force Heathcliff out of education, and imposes labour upon him, and Catherine feels sympathy for him: "How little did I dream that Hindley would ever make me cry so…Poor Heathcliff!" This shows already that Catherine and Heathcliff had some sort of relationship, and the factor of social class was already damaging their relationship, in this case through hindley. The turning point in the whole book can be seen at the time when Heathcliff and Catherine have their little adventure near Thrushcross Grange. When Catherine is kept there, she returns as a refined upper class lady, and Heathcliff becomes instantly distant with her. A clear education of how social class is taking its toll on their relationship. It was as if there was a barrier between them, and the barrier was that of social class. Heathcliff begins to despair with their separation, and it seems almost as if the social class does not matter much to him any more, when he points out to Catherine that he is spending more time with Edgar Linton. Catherine, however, is less ready to break down the barrier. When the time came for Catherine to choose a spouse, a real demonstration of he power of social class was seen. For anybody at the time, marriage to a person of lower class would be like reducing your own class. It was intolerable and unacceptable for a lady of that ‘position’ to choose a spouse of a lower class. Catherine knew that her true love was with Heathcliff. She liked Edgar for his money, and his looks, and this was not true love. But the powers of social class played a massive role in her decision. And it was this decision that in turn played a massive role on causing the great tragedy. Catherine said: “It would degrad...