Topic > Hindley's quest for justice in Wuthering Heights

Justice and revenge are two similar terms with a very fine line between them. Both have the intention of correcting some wrong action, physical or immaterial. The difference lies in how action is taken against the wrongdoer: revenge is emotionally driven, personal, and intentionally harmful, while justice seeks a rational and fair balance without unnecessary suffering. Despite their differences, justice and revenge are considered exactly the same thing in Emily Brontë's novel Wuthering Heights, especially by the antagonist Hindley Earnshaw. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essayHindley is the only biological son of the Earnshaw family, and, being "a boy of fourteen," is almost fit to become a man (Brontë 37). His family is made up of landowners who own servants who "[prowl] about the farm ready for anything anyone would want [them] to do" (Brontë 36). Since they live on a farm and not an elite mansion like Thrushcross Grange, they aren't exactly upper class, but the fact that they have servants shows that the family is still financially well off. In addition to his social position, Hindley appears to have a happy family life. Hindley's father, Mr. Earnshaw, clearly dotes on him, referring to him as "[his] handsome man" and allowing him to "choose what [he'd like]" for Mr. Earnshaw to get him on his trip to Liverpool (Brontë 36). All in all, Hindley has a great life: he's a young white man whose home life is financially stable and loving. Hindley's life is changed forever when "a dirty, ragged, black-haired child" is rescued from the streets of Liverpool by Mr. Earnshaw (Brontë 37). Nothing is known about the boy, except that he was "hungry, homeless, and practically mute" (Brontë 37). Even so, the boy is integrated into the family and “christened him…'Heathcliff'…[after] the name of a son who died in infancy” (Brontë 38). From that point on, Heathcliff steadily rises to the rank of favorite of his adoptive father. His high status, protected by Mr. Earnshaw, gives Heathcliff the power to manipulate his brothers into giving him anything he wants. He repeatedly blackmails and provokes his older adoptive brother Hindley. Hindley is then enraged and humiliated that he cannot fight back because he would face his father's wrath if he “attempted to impose himself, or dominate, [Mr. Earnshaw's favorite” (Brontë 41). As Mr. Earnshaw's only biological son, Hindley was once held in high esteem, until he was replaced by Heathcliff as the “favourite” (Brontë 38). From the beginning, young Hindley “[looks]…Heathcliff as a usurper of his parents' affections and his privileges” (Brontë 38) and as time passes, his resentment only increases. Hindley hates Heathcliff for two reasons: first, Heathcliff is “dark as if [he] were from the devil,” while all Earnshaws possess white skin (Brontë 37). Racism was alive and well in the early 1800s (in Indeed, slavery had not yet been abolished in England during the time of this novel, and is mentioned by Heathcliff himself in chapter 11). (Brontë 40) several times throughout the novel, it can be inferred that Hindley's prejudice against Heathcliff is fomented by racism is more than superficial: he primarily despises Heathcliff because the latter boy has taken away Mr. Earnshaw's affection and the Hindley's seat of power. Hindley feels entitled to more power and love than Heathcliff.