The Introverted Reader is hosting a weekly meme entitle Character Connection
We all have characters we love. Let’s spotlight these fantastic creations! Whether you want to be friends with them or you have a full-blown crush on them, you know you love them and want everyone else to love them too!
This week’s literary crush is Heathcliff
From Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights
Okay, technically I don’t have a crush on Heathcliff but he’s a character I love to hate. Heathcliff is just plain evil, there’s no getting around it. He has lost his true love due to financial circumstances and when he comes back from his travels to “better himself” he turns out to be even more horrid than ever before. Heath is out for revenge, and will harm anyone for it to come to be. He is crude, self-observed, unlovable or caring in short a real monster. So why is he my crush? I have no idea, there’s just something about him that draws readers into intoxication.
I hate Heathcliff too. Its funny, people seem to either love him or hate him. I wish I could feel sorry for him, because I think the things he has suffered are terrible and he has essentially become what he was made, but he is still so evil that it's impossible (for me) to feel sorry for him
I long to feel sorry for him, but I just can't bring myself to feel that since he is of his own making. Maybe there is a bit of gypsy in him…
I hate Heathcliff too! I started out feeling a wee bit sorry for him but very soon grew out of that. He is a very powerful character though, and I'm glad you featured him. I still can't think of an actor who would be a great Heathcliff – perhaps Toby Stephens, he made a great Rochester.
Heathcliff is a powerful character, I think that's why it's difficult to capture him on film. Although, I recently watched the 1940s adaptation of Jane Eyre with Orson Welles as Mr. Rochester; he might have done nicely as Welles has a creepy rough look to him.
I'm glad you explained that one! I just saw the post title and thought, "Really? I hate him!" Phew! It has been so long since I read this that I can't say much except that I couldn't stand him. You're on to something with that Orson Welles thing. He could have pulled it off. I think it's hilarious that in Jasper Fforde's Thursday Next series, Heathcliff has won an award for "Most Troubled Male Lead" ever since he was first written. Hamlet is so disappointed to lose out to him every year! Those books aren't for everyone, but they're very funny if they match your sense of humor.
*Coughs* I nearly choked on my own tongue when I saw your pick this week. Wow, I have never met a person who loves (even in a love hate way) Heathcliff. I do not know what to say. He is just so dastardly and despicable. I could not stand him the whole way through the book. Actually I didn't really like any of the characters.
well.. I understand your choice! this week i chose a couple of evil characters, too) There's something about negative and despicable heroes.. you wouldn't want to meet them, but it's great fun to read about them and imagine them
Jen– a very crazy pick I know but there's just something about him that I find intriguing.
Becky– Sorry, next time I'll post a disclaimer. I don't really like any of the characters either but there he is… At least my pick has made you speechless.
Daria–Finally someone who understands my loathing love for this literary character!
I never could get into this book, but from what I read about it, I wouldn't like Heathcliff either.
No, Heathcliff is nasty! I think Wuthering Heights is a good book, but not for everyone as it's difficult to get past the dislike of all the players.