In Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights, Heathcliff and Catherine's relationship symbolizes the distinction between self-image and romantic love, explaining that true love cannot be bought or feigned. The characters have different central focuses; to Catherine, self-image is more important than romantic love, whereas Heathcliff seeks love despite his image.

From the beginning of the novel, Heathcliff's image causes conflict. His background is a mystery, and all the reader has to identify him with are theories formed through logic; all these theories, however, lead to the same result-- Heathcliff is an outsider. For example, the reader can infer that Heathcliff is perhaps Mr. Earnshaw's illegitimate child. Firstly, it is a little strange that Mr. Earnshaw should bring a random child home, so we assume that he has some sort of connection (possibly paternal) to the child. The circumstances allow for illegitimacy, as Mr. Earnshaw traveled often and could have conceived a child on any one of his trips. Heathcliff's potential illegitimacy could also explain Mrs. Earnshaw's distaste for him, wanting to "fling it out of doors". (Bronte 26) With the exception of Cathy, Heathcliff is greatly mistreated in his own house; Hindley and Mrs. Earnshaw refer to him only as "it" and "that gypsy" (Bronte 26), not having enough respect for him to address him with human pronouns.

Or perhaps it is not an element of respect at all. Another theory that could contribute to Heathcliff's isolation is the interpretation that he may be inhuman-- a werewolf, perhaps. Bronte's description of Heathcliff's appearance supports such a theory-- he is described as having "black eyes" (Bronte 1) and "fingers [that] shelter themselves" (Bronte 1). Thus, from the first page of the novel, Heathcliff is not given a typical human description, causing theories and suspicions to arise regarding who (or what) he is. Although we cannot come to a definitive answer, Bronte's desire for Heathcliff's image is achieved through these theories-- he is mysterious.

Catherine description, on the other hand, conveys that she is extremely conscious of her image. Class, status, and others' opinions are exceedingly important to her, which is why she has trouble pursuing her desire for Heathcliff. Self-image is of utmost importance to Catherine. She characterizes herself this way by expressing, "'It would degrade me to marry Heathcliff now; so he shall never know how I love him: and that, not because he's handsome, Nelly, but because he's more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same; and Linton's is as different as a moonbeam from lightning, or frost from fire.'" (Bronte 75) This dialogue is Catherine's foundational acceptance of her feelings for Heathcliff, conveying the essential message of Heathcliff and Catherine's relationship-- the feeling of love will flourish despite differences in background and image; after having married Edgar for his wealth and high social class, she finds herself unable to stay away from Heathcliff. Despite the monetary stability that accompanies a marriage to Edgar, a longing for true love will not cease in the mind and heart.

Catherine's confession (which is both to herself and to Nelly) exemplifies her internal struggle-- the realization that she cannot be truly happy without Heathcliff. She discerns that Heathcliff is more than just a handsome man; he is someone with whom Catherine feels a genuine connection-- not a superficial feeling like she shows Edgar. Edgar is the type of person that Catherine feels she is supposed to marry, due to his social class. He is characterized as upscale early in the novel, when Heathcliff and Catherine are spying on the Lintons. Bronte provides an image of the Lintons' residence, describing it as, "a splendid place carpeted with crimson, and crimson-covered chairs and tables, and a pure white ceiling bordered by gold, a shower of glass-drops hanging in silver chains from the centre, and shimmering with little soft tapers." (Brontë 43-44) The extravagant house is symbolic of Edgar's gentlemanliness and high-class character, a critical aspect of Catherine's agreeing to marry him and is the critical juxtaposition between him and Heathcliff. Catherine's relationship with Edgar symbolizes her extreme consciousness of her self-image, choosing her appearance and reputation over her undying love for Heathcliff.

Bronte characterizes Heathcliff as more rugged and beastly-- coming from the streets rather than being born into a wealthy home. Heathcliff is described as "dirty" (Bronte 33) and "ragged" (Bronte 33), an image that would evidently cause much harm by association on Catherine's reputation. Catherine understands that a relationship with Heathcliff would degrade her, conveying the high degree to which she values Edgar's reputation and class. However, her description of Heathcliff in her confession is profusely more heartfelt than her description of Edgar. She describes Heathcliff as being similar to herself, establishing an exceedingly personal and emotional relationship in contrast to the merely outwardly attractive and acceptable relationship that she shares with Edgar. When Catherine describes Edgar, she uses words pertaining to nature (lightning, fire, etc.). Heathcliff, on the other hand, is repeatedly characterized as the more natural and free-spirited character, less civilized than Edgar. Catherine's using words pertaining to nature to delineate Edgar portrays her sincere connection to Heathcliff and their similar mindsets. For example, Catherine remarks, "'How strange! I thought, though everybody hated and despised each other, they could not avoid loving me'" (Bronte 115), conveying her excessive egotism. Her selfishness is parallel to Heathcliff, as he embarks on a quest for revenge, failing to consider others' feelings and solely focuses on his own desires for vengeance. Catherine's words effuse her feelings passionately and exemplify her resolute connection to Heathcliff and how it is more perfervid than her relationship with Edgar.

Heathcliff expresses his feelings for Catherine through the line, "I love my murderer-- but yours! How can I?" (Bronte 152). Heathcliff's words are some of the most powerful and symbolic in the novel in effusing his love for Catherine. His own murderer that he speaks of is Catherine-- he had felt "murdered" by her marrying Edgar after the bond that she and him shared. Referring to the pain he felt as a murder exemplifies the severity of the feeling and how terribly it hurt him. However, he states that he forgives Catherine, which portrays his undying love for her. When Heathcliff states that he cannot forgive Catherine's murderer, he is referring to the way that he cannot forgive himself for driving her insane. Once again, the overstatement of a murderer illuminates Catherine and Heathcliff's love and how separation from each other is extremely painful for them both. His inability to forgive himself conveys that his love for Catherine is greater than his love for himself and that she is of utmost importance in his life. After Catherine collapses, Heathcliff momentarily disregards his feud with Edgar and continues to treat Catherine as his top priority. His maturity in the situation exemplifies his desperate want for her recovery, not only for his own sake but for hers as well. Catherine is more important to Heathcliff than anything else, and, in her sickness, he recognizes that he needs her to get better. Therefore, he is able to set aside his conflicts to provide Catherine with the care that she needs.

Thus, despite Heathcliff's usual selfishness and longing for revenge, what Heathcliff desires most is to be with Catherine, even after she has died. Heathcliff and Catherine's relationship represents that true love can only be shared genuinely and passionately with another-- it cannot be selfishly kept or feigned. Heathcliff is willing to go as far as to dig up Catherine's grave to be close to her. Bronte writes, "A sudden sense of relief flowed, from my heart, through every limb. I relinquished my labour of agony, and turned consoled at once: unspeakably consoled. Her presence was with me: it remained while I re-filled the grave, and led me home." (Bronte 272) His love appears obsessive and eldritch in the way that he does not let his feelings for her subside, even after she has died. He disturbs her in her peace in an attempt to find peace of his own. Being haunted by her proves to not be a negative occurrence, though, as he becomes less vengeful after feeling closer to her. Where he would normally strike at Cathy, he lets her be after seeing Catherine in her eyes. Heathcliff's self-centered attitude becomes tranquil after such an image of Catherine, conveying the calming effect she has on him and how strong their love really is-- it lives on after death.

Heathcliff's love for Catherine is so strong that he wishes to be haunted by her, and although the word "haunted" usually has a negative connotation, Heathcliff wishes for such a presence as it would bring him closer to Catherine. The love that Heathcliff shows toward Catherine appears to be an obsession, as he takes extreme measures, such as disturbing her grave, to be closer to her. However, while he is chasing her love, his passion for revenge is undermined, and he predominantly strives to be one with Catherine. Heathcliff's visions of Catherine break the cycle of revenge and cause him to be a less vindictive character.

Heathcliff and Catherine's relationship symbolizes that even the most selfish and self-conscious people do not have power over the emotion of true love. Heathcliff's stubborn quest for revenge falters, and Catherine admits that Edgar does not make her feel the way that Heathcliff does. The characters, both independently and collectively, symbolize that love knows no class and has no price.