History YMMV / WutheringHeights

** In the novel, Nelly says "But where did he come from, the little dark thing, harboured by a good man to his bane?" Creator/TomHardy, who played Heathcliff in the 2009 version, would later play ComicBook/{{Bane}} in ‘’Film/TheDarkKnightRises’’.

** A few readers have [[http://livingston.schoolwires.com/139620929192030233/lib/139620929192030233/_files/Ellen_Dean_as_villain.pdf laid the blame for this tragedy]] at Nelly's feet, claiming that she is actually a very prejudiced person who only really cares about securing for herself a peaceful, comfortable existence and is consequently unable to relate to the [[TrueArtIsAngsty intense passions]] of Heathcliff or Cathy. May be [[JustifiedTrope justified]] if one considers her complicity in [[NiceJobBreakingItHero failing to reveal to Cathy that Heathcliff was present]] when she was discussing who to marry, [[WhatTheHellHero not telling Edgar Linton]] that his own wife was ill and dying, and [[WhatAnIdiot keeping Cathy II and Linton's relationship hidden]] until it was too late.

* DarknessInducedAudienceApathy: The two lead characters are sociopaths in a destructive relationship, and the sympathetic supporting characters get abused by them, die sadly or become cold and heartless because of their treatment. While the ending is happier than you'd expect, sometimes the story can feel so grim and pessimistic that it's hard to care what happens. A Tumblr user by the name of prideprejudice summed it up best with "wuthering heights is basically a book about awful people who all made a secret promise to ruin as many lives as possible before they fucked off and died. and by the end heathcliff won with a 50 point lead".

** Catherine the elder is likewise often imagined as an ideal romantic heroine, a survivor of abuse and the more sympathetic of the pair. In reality she's a sociopathic, tempestuous brat who at one point wants to marry Edgar solely for his money to secure her own comfort - while still keeping Heathcliff around for pleasure. Additionally while she's married, she still acts like a possessive GreenEyedMonster towards Heathcliff (her warning Isabella off him is motivated by jealousy as much as anything else). Several adaptations (particularly the 2009 miniseries) file off some of her worse traits to make her slightly more sympathetic.

** Heathcliff is the most famous example. He's a sociopath who ruins a bunch of lives out of a desire for petty revenge - and an abuser who is implied to have raped his wife. But his upbringing was far from ideal - where he was bullied by Hindley and constantly reminded of his place. Catherine was the one bright spot in his life, and even his relationship with her was unbelievably toxic. He's as much a victim of her as anyone else. Then after her death, he becomes more monstrous and ruins more lives than ever, but all the while is tortured by grief for his LostLenore.

* MisaimedFandom: The famous quote "I am Heathcliff!" is actually very misleading if you just read the back cover. What this situation needs more proper context on is the differences between Cathy and Isabella. Cathy by many means is just as sociopathic as Heathcliff is, the love between them is pure to them but alien to many others who can't wrap their heads around it. Isabella on the other hand practically finds Heathcliff TroubledButCute to her own detriment as Cathy readily points out. One meets Heathcliff on his level while the other is full of naivety without fully thinking. There are very major differences if someone is applying to this trope to Heathcliff thinking like Isabella vs thinking like Cathy. Just to add further context, Nelly lets Cathy have it after her "I am Heathcliff" line with "If I can make any sense of your nonsense, Miss, it only goes to show me that you are ignorant of the duties you undertake in marrying; or else that you are a wicked, unprincipled girl." Nelly is not only confounding Cathy on her plan but the whole principle in general. As while some people are the Cathy or the Isabella, some others might be the Nelly and find this whole conversation ridiculous.

** The 1939 film includes an ending shot with Heathcliff and Cathy's ghosts wandering the moors TogetherInDeath. No such sequence exists in the book, but many other adaptations include something similar in some way.

* DarknessInducedAudienceApathy: The two lead characters are sociopaths in a destructive relationship, and the sympathetic supporting characters get abused by them, die sadly or become cold and heartless because of their treatment. While the ending is happier than you'd expect, sometimes the story can feel so grim and pessimistic that it's hard to care what happens.

* TheWoobie: The universe seems to conspire to make Isabella Linton's life a nightmare. She develops a PrecociousCrush on Heathcliff that a jealous Cathy reveals to others - which humiliates her and makes her withdraw from everyone. This leaves her prime fodder for Heathcliff to seduce her as part of his revenge - and as soon as they're married, she's tortured over the years until she can take no more and flees for her life.

** What motivates Cathy I's speech warning Isabella of Heathcliff's cruelty when Isabella first falls in love with him? Pure selfish jealousy, genuine desire to protect her sister-in-law, or both?

** The 1939 film includes an ending shot with Heathcliff and Cathy's ghosts wandering the moors TogetherInDeath. No such sequence exists in the book, but many other adaptations include something similar in some way. Likewise many others follow the 1939 film's trend of adapting out Cathy II, Linton and Hareton - focusing on the first generation.

** Heathcliff is the most famous example. He's a sociopath who ruins a bunch of lives out of a desire for petty revenge - and an abuser who is implied to have raped his wife. But his upbringing was far from ideal - where he was bullied by Hindley and constantly reminded of his place. Catherine was the one bright spot in his life, and even his relationship with her was unbelievably toxic. He's as much a victim of her as anyone else.

** If we assume that Cathy I's ghost really does roam the moors, haunt Heathcliff and [[spoiler: eventually cause his death]], is she motivated by undying love for Heathcliff and longing for him to [[TogetherInDeath join her]], or is she a vindictive spirit striving to [[MamaBear save her daughter from Heathcliff's cruelty?]] Or both?

* HarsherInHindsight:
** Heathcliff is AmbiguouslyBrown and trying to fit into a society of middle class white people. The 1939 film adaptation casts Merle Oberon as Cathy -- she herself an actress of MixedAncestry [[note]]She was born in India but her exact racial background isn't known, as she claimed to be born in Tasmania.[[/note]] who tried to pass for white.
** Speaking of race, some 21st-century UsefulNotes/AmericanChurches have begun a movement to adopt "orphans" ([[https://newrepublic.com/article/127311/trouble-christian-adoption-movement not all of whom were actually orphans]]) from developing countries and give them an Evangelical UsefulNotes/{{Christian|ity}} upbringing. Like Heathcliff, [[https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2013/04/christian-evangelical-adoption-liberia/ some of these kids]] were ostracised due to their race, subjected to harsh discipline, and treated as servants by the rest of the family.

* {{Narm}}:
** The name "Heathcliff" may make some readers think of [[WesternAnimation/{{Heathcliff}} an animated TV show]].
** In the 1939 film right before she dies, Cathy's eyes widen in such a way that makes it look like an EyeTake.
* TheScrappy: Joseph mostly for his annoying FunetikAccent and his repetitive Bible thumping. While not meant to be liked, the former just makes any chapter where he has a lot of dialogue a chore to get through.
* SeinfeldIsUnfunny: One of the most shocking parts of the novel at the time was when Cathy gave a speech about a dream where she was unhappy in {{Heaven}} and would much prefer to wander the moors as a ghost. The pious Nelly Dean is scandalised at such a statement.

** Vivien Leigh really wanted to play Cathy in the 1939 film, and turned down the part of Isabella. Seeing her playing an abused wife in an unhappy marriage alongside her real-life husband would have been especially uncomfortable - seeing as how their marriage fell apart in the 1950s.

* SomeAnvilsNeedToBeDropped:
** Emily Bronte hammered in the anvil about gender inequality in Victorian/Georgian society - with Catherine being torn between a happy life with the man she loves (yet is lower class) and a life of comfort she's expected to sacrifice her own happiness for. Likewise it's all too easy for Isabella to be DefiledForever thanks to Heathcliff using her for his revenge, and Catherine II is later screwed out of her inheritance thanks to the sexist laws of the time.
** It's also notable for Cathy being forced to conform to society's expectations of what a Victorian/Georgian ProperLady should be. The first wedge between her and Heathcliff properly comes when she's spent weeks at the Linton house, being taught how she's 'supposed' to act. This forced conformity is what drives her and Heathcliff apart.
** She also deconstructs the fascination with AllGirlsWantBadBoys (see below) before it was even a thing!
** Religious hypocrisy is also challenged in the character of Joseph, who treats Heathcliff cruelly primarily because of his strong religious beliefs, which has a hand in Heathcliff turning out the way he does.
* UnbuiltTrope: AllGirlsWantBadBoys is present in both Cathy and Isabella's characters, and both seems like a deconstruction of the trope. Isabella is attracted to Heathcliff because he's hidden his worse qualities and she's too naive to realise he's using her in his quest for revenge. Cathy meanwhile is used to show that the only person who could be attracted to such a cruel and destructive person is likely quite cruel and destructive herself.

** The main obstacle in Cathy and Heathcliff being together is their class difference. Cathy would be expected to marry within her class, which is why she doesn't just elope with Heathcliff. This just makes her even less sympathetic to modern readers. Of course a big part of this is intentional to show how horrible class divides are in keeping lovers apart. The book does end after all with Catherine II falling in love with the poor orphan Hareton.
* ValuesResonance: A foolish and sheltered young woman shallowly falls in love with a bad man, marries him, and suffers horribly? Ask any domestic abuse counselor in the world if this part is outdated. They'll laugh at you.[[note]]To be fair, Heathcliff reminds Isabella that he's within his legal rights. Needless to say, today he wouldn't be.[[/note]]

** Emily Bronte hammered in the anvil about gender inequality in Victorian society - with Catherine being torn between a happy life with the man she loves (yet is lower class) and a life of comfort she's expected to sacrifice her own happiness for. Likewise it's all too easy for Isabella to be DefiledForever thanks to Heathcliff using her for his revenge, and Catherine II is later screwed out of her inheritance thanks to the sexist laws of the time.
** It's also notable for Cathy being forced to conform to society's expectations of what a Victorian ProperLady should be. The first wedge between her and Heathcliff properly comes when she's spent weeks at the Linton house, being taught how she's 'supposed' to act. This forced conformity is what drives her and Heathcliff apart.

** Heathcliff is AmbiguouslyBrown trying to fit into a society of middle class white people. The 1939 film adaptation casts Merle Oberon as Cathy - she herself a mixed race[[note]]She was born in India but her exact racial background isn't known, as she claimed to be born in Tasmania.[[/note]] actress who tried to pass for white.

* DracoInLeatherPants: Many female readers insist that Heathcliff is a dashing hero, despite his many, ''many'' shortcomings (even to the point where they thought his [[spoiler:[[{{Squick}} digging up Catherine's body]] ]] was romantic). The story itself makes fun of this sentiment among her readers by making 18-year-old Isabella Linton idolize him. Catherine admonishes Isabella that "He's not a rough diamond--a pearl-containing oyster of a rustic: he's a fierce, pitiless, wolfish man" and Heathcliff comments on Isabella's naivety and romanticism regarding him, mocking it later in the book.
** The famous quote "I am Heathcliff!" is actually very misleading if you just read the back cover. What this situation needs more proper context on is the differences between Cathy and Isabella. Cathy by many means is just as sociopathic as Heathcliff is, the love between them is pure to them but alien to many others who can't wrap their heads around it. Isabella on the other hand practically finds Heathcliff TroubledButCute to her own detriment as Cathy readily points out. One meets Heathcliff on his level while the other is full of naivety without fully thinking. There are very major differences if someone is applying to this trope to Heathcliff thinking like Isabella vs thinking like Cathy. Just to add further context, Nelly lets Cathy have it after her "I am Heathcliff" line with "If I can make any sense of your nonsense, Miss, it only goes to show me that you are ignorant of the duties you undertake in marrying; or else that you are a wicked, unprincipled girl." Nelly is not only confounding Cathy on her plan but the whole principle in general. As while some people are the Cathy or the Isabella, some others might be the Nelly and find this whole conversation ridiculous.
* HilariousInHindsight: In complete fairness, given Isabella Linton-Heathcliff's fate, it is difficult to imagine why anyone would constantly compare [[Literature/{{Twilight}} a book]] to ''Wuthering Heights'' and name the heroine of said book ''[[NamesTheSame Isabella]]''. It is very amusing that ''Literature/{{Twilight}}'' tries so hard to compare itself to this story, when it is in fact denouncing the kind of relationship Stephenie Meyer tries to glorify.

* JerkassWoobie: Heathcliff is practically the TropeCodifier. Linton, Hareton and Catherine (II) could also qualify, although clearly the latter two are much more [[JerkWithAHeartOfGold Jerks with Hearts of Gold]].
* MisaimedFandom: Despite Brontë pulling absolutely no punches in her description of Heathcliff, despite Catherine herself stating that he has no hidden depths of love and tenderness, despite Heathcliff's own statement that he hopes Catherine wakes up in torment in the next world for rejecting him... Teenage girls will insist on seeing him as a romantic hero!
* {{Narm}}: The name "Heathcliff" may make some readers think of [[WesternAnimation/{{Heathcliff}} an animated TV show]].

* {{Narm}}: The name "Heathcliff" may make some readers [[WesternAnimation/{{Heathcliff}} think of]]... Well... Just watch [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=el9kKP3aZbE this]].

* MagnificentBastard: Heathcliff, who manages to gain ownership of both the Heights and the Grange despite being neither an Earnshaw nor a Linton, or even a member of the gentry, through a combination of seduction (of Isabella and indirectly of Cathy Linton) and manipulation of the legal system.

** Was Mr. Earnshaw justified in his ParentalFavoritism of poor orphaned Heathcliff over his two selfish, bratty biological children, or were Cathy and Hindley just typical rowdy kids who could have grown up to be better adults if they hadn't been treated as TheUnfavorites?

* AlternativeCharacterInterpretation: A few readers have [[http://livingston.schoolwires.com/139620929192030233/lib/139620929192030233/_files/Ellen_Dean_as_villain.pdf laid the blame for this tragedy]] at Nelly's feet, claiming that she is actually a very prejudiced person who only really cares about securing for herself a peaceful, comfortable existence and is consequently unable to relate to the [[TrueArtIsAngsty intense passions]] of Heathcliff or Cathy. May be [[JustifiedTrope justified]] if one considers her complicity in [[NiceJobBreakingItHero failing to reveal to Cathy that Heathcliff was present]] when she was discussing who to marry, [[WhatTheHellHero not telling Edgar Linton]] that his own wife was ill and dying, and [[WhatAnIdiot keeping Cathy II and Linton's relationship hidden]] until it was too late.

** The famous quote "I am Heathcliff!" is actually very misleading if you just read the back cover. What this situation needs more proper context on is the differences between Cathy and Isabella. Cathy by many means is just as sociopathic as Heathcliff is, the love between them is pure to them but alien to many others who can't wrap their heads around it. Isabella on the other hand practically finds Heathcliff TroubledButCute to her own detriment as Cathy readily points out. One meets Heathcliff on his level while the other if full of naivety without fully thinking. There are very major differences if someone is applying to this trope to Heathcliff thinking like Isabella vs thinking like Cathy. Just to add further context, Nelly lets Cathy have it after here "I am Heathcliff" line with "If I can make any sense of your nonsense, Miss, it only goes to show me that you are ignorant of the duties you undertake in marrying; or else that you are a wicked, unprincipled girl." Nelly is not only confounding Cathy on her plan but the whole principle in general. As while some people are the Cathy or the Isabella, some others might be the Nelly and find this whole conversation ridiculous.

* JerkassWoobie: Heathcliff is practically the TropeCodifier. Linton, Hareton and Catherine (II) could also qualify, although clearly the latter two are much more {{JerkWithAHeartofGold}}.

** The famous quote "I am Heathcliff!" is actually very misleading if you just read the back cover. What this situation needs more proper context on is the differences between Cathy and Isabella. Cathy by many means is just as sociopathic as Heathcliff is, the love between them is pure to them but alien to many others who can't wrap their heads around it. Isabella on the other hand practically finds Heathcliff TroubledButCute to her own detriment as Cathy readily points out. One meets Heathcliff on his level while the other if full of naivety without fully thinking. There are very major differences if someone is applying to this trope to Heathcliff thinking like Isabella vs thinking like Cathy.
* Just to add further context, Nelly lets Cathy have it after here "I am Heathcliff" line with "If I can make any sense of your nonsense, Miss, it only goes to show me that you are ignorant of the duties you undertake in marrying; or else that you are a wicked, unprincipled girl." Nelly is not only confounding Cathy on her plan but the whole principle in general. As while some people are the Cathy or the Isabella, some others might be the Nelly and find this whole conversation ridiculous.

* JerkassWoobie: Heathcliff is practically the TropeCodifier.

* DracoInLeatherPants: Many female readers insist that Heathcliff is a dashing hero, despite his many, ''many'' shortcomings (even to the point where they thought his [[spoiler:[[{{Squick}} digging up Catherine's body]] ]] was romantic). The author herself makes fun of this sentiment among her readers by making 18-year-old Isabella Linton idolize him. Catherine admonishes Isabella that "He's not a rough diamond--a pearl-containing oyster of a rustic: he's a fierce, pitiless, wolfish man" and Heathcliff comments on Isabella's naivety and romanticism regarding him, mocking it later in the book. It is very amusing that ''Literature/{{Twilight}}'' tries so hard to compare itself to this story, when it is in fact denouncing the kind of relationship Stephenie Meyer tries to glorify.
** The famous quote "I am Heathcliff!" is actually very misleading if you just read the back cover. The line from Nelly right after it is: "If I can make any sense of your nonsense, Miss, it only goes to show me that you are ignorant of the duties you undertake in marrying; or else that you are a wicked, unprincipled girl." This pretty much brings the whole thing full circle. The love between Heathcliff and Cathy is a love between two people that a lot would call downright sociopathic. Isabella's "love" is full of naivety without fully thinking. So the real meaty question is more than likely when this trope comes up on a character like Heathcliff, is the person thinking like a "Cathy" or an "Isabella"? As, if they were thinking like a "Nelly", they'd be questioning why we are even having this conversation.
* HilariousInHindsight: In complete fairness, given Isabella Linton-Heathcliff's fate, it is difficult to imagine why anyone would constantly compare [[Literature/{{Twilight}} a book]] to ''Wuthering Heights'' and name the heroine of said book ''[[NamesTheSame Isabella]]''...