Twin Flames of Love and Friendship: Exploring the Immortal Bond of Catherine and Heathcliff in Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights

Abstract

Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights is a renowned work in English literature that delves into the complexities of the human condition during the Romantic Era, tackling issues of profound social and emotional significance. This research paper meticulously examines the relationship between the male and the female protagonists, Heathcliff, and Catherine Earnshaw, viewing them as flawed yet deeply human individuals who grappled with various barriers that kept them apart. The evidence from the novel reveals that Catherine and Heathcliff’s shared upbringing instilled nearly identical attributes in them, leading to a lifelong struggle to retain their former closeness and compelling them to make agonizing sacrifices for each other. This paper would be studying if the Platonic concept of “Twin flames,” which is presented as an almost primal desire for two individuals to become one, by forging an unbreakable bond and an unparalleled friendship that transcends their earthly existence could be applied to the principal characters to explain their strong ties.