A Study Of Heathcliff’s Trauma In Wuthering Heights

Wuthering Heights is the only novel of Emily Jane Bront?(1818–1848)and a world masterpiece.This novel has high research value.Major attention has been paid to its writing techniques,feminism,and the theme of revenge,while little attention has been directed to Heathcliff’s trauma.However,delving into the character of Heathcliff can discover that he suffers several traumatic events in his entire life and he shows serious traumatic symptoms.Therefore,analyzing the hero with trauma theory has a deep angle and research value.Applying Judith Herman’s trauma and recovery theory,the study comprehensively diagnoses Heathcliff’s trauma in Wuthering Heights and its context by analyzing his traumatic symptoms,his traumatic causes from the perspectives of race,classes,and family,his trauma recovery,and the projection of his trauma on the author and the social problem in the mid-Victorian era.The study first analyzes Heathcliff’s post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD)and finds out he manifests the three main symptoms of this disorder: hyperarousal of threatening environments,intrusion of terrible memories,and constriction of unbearable pain.This paper then explores the causes of Heathcliff’s trauma,which come from three aspects: racial prejudice due to his gypsy identity,class discrimination resulting in his humble social status,and his domestic trauma caused by the maltreatment of his caregiver Hindley,and the betrayal and death of his sister and lover Catherine.Next,it investigates the recovery of Heathcliff’s trauma and discovers that his failure of recuperation is due to the unsuccessful establishment of a safe environment,uncompleted remembrance of trauma stories,disguised mourning of his losses,and failed reconnection with the world.Meanwhile,Heathcliff is obsessed with revenge for seeking compensation from his perpetrators,aggravating his traumatic symptoms.Finally,he is defeated by trauma and commits suicide unconsciously by taking a hunger strike.Furthermore,Heathcliff’s trauma projects the trauma of Emily Bront?,since both of them have similar traumatic experiences and identical post-traumatic manifestations,and it reflects the social trauma of class conflicts in the mid-Victorian era.Delving into Heathcliff’s trauma has corresponding implications for the character and trauma theory.This study can change people’s prejudice and hostility toward the hero and provide new insight into his characteristics and suicidal behavior.Also,Heathcliff’s traumatic experiences offer valuable and practical lessons for modern readers to avoid repeating his miserable life.Besides,readers can have a deeper understanding of Bront?’s trauma and the social trauma of class struggle at that time.Additionally,this paper enriches the relevant study of Victorian literature with trauma theory to some extent.