Wuthering Heights

Wuthering Heights

how did Heathcliff experience racism?

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Heathcliff is described as dark, and also described as a gypsy. Mr. Earnshaw takes Heathcliff into his home after finding him wandering the streets near the port. Possibly, he was transported to England by ship, maybe he was simply lost.... none-the-less, his life changes because of a benevolent man.

Heathcliff faces racism at the hands of his adopted brother.... he also torments himself. Heathcliff is initially described as speaking gibberish.... a foreign language? Maybe, we are not told. It does, however, support Heathcliff's position as a foreigner and someone who is "different". Racism is also apparent in the slurs used towrd Heathcliff. I have listed a few below;

‘a gift of God, though it’s as dark almost as if it came from the devil’

“that gipsy brat”

“imp of Satan”

“sharp cannibal teeth, revealed by cold and wrath, gleamed through the dark.”

“Miss Earnshaw scouring the country with a gipsy!”

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Wuthering Heights