WAEC Literature in English 2022 Theory — Question 8

Model answer

Points to develop: i. Relation to theme; ii. Character identification; iii. Their relationship; iv. The effect of the relationship on Heathcliff; v. Contribution to the development of the plot. The interplay of love and revenge is the dominant theme in the novel Wuthering Heights. This theme manifests in the lives of Cathy Linton and Hareton Earnshaw who suffer Heathcliff's revenge but join hands later in the novel. Cathy is the daughter of Edgar Linton and Catherine Earnshaw. She is a beautiful woman. She is typically human as this shows in her compassion towards Hareton's illiteracy. Although she was antagonistic towards Hareton at first, she revises her attitude towards Hareton later in life. Hareton on the other hand is the son of Hindley and Frances. He and Cathy Linton are cousins. He is deprived of education by Heathcliff. Hareton is made a labourer in his father's house. He is tutored by Cathy to become a gentleman later. Nelly introduces Hareton and Cathy as cousins. Cathy is appalled by Hareton's lack of education and poor manners. They both fall in love after the death of young Linton. Heathcliff is not happy with the development (love relationship between Hareton and Cathy) but he can't do anything about it. Cathy and Hareton eventually marry. Hareton and Cathy's bond inconveniences Heathcliff. He is unable to direct the cause of the relationship between the two. He rather pines in dismay and becomes a hermit. Heathcliff eventually dies totally frustrated. The relationship between the two characters foreshadows the imminent unity of Thrushcross Grange and Wuthering Heights. Their union confounds Heathcliff's vengeance. The marriage of the two resolves the major conflict in the novel.