After discussing team Heathcliff versus team Edgar in class on Wednesday, Rayna can attest to the fact that late Thursday night, I noticed a parallel between Catherine and Heathcliff’s relationship. One of my favorite shows, The Fosters, has a couple with similar issues. The fact that I ship that couple made me question my reasoning for being team Edgar earlier. The following analysis is based upon the TV show The Fosters. It relates elements of Brandon and Callie’s relationship to Catherine and Heathcliff’s relationship. I forgot my book at school, so I did my best to find adequate quotes online. Enjoy!
In Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights, Heathcliff and Catherine have a relationship similar to that of Brandon and Callie’s from the modern day TV show The Fosters. Both couples are somewhat siblings, and they both develop feelings for one another, but are forced to move on from those feelings in order to progress their lives. Both Catherine and Callie must move on because it is what is best for them. Callie needed a family, so she decided not to continue to pursue her relationship with Brandon. After lots of deliberation and multiple issues and complications, Callie’s choice is worth it when she gets adopted. Even though Callie and Brandon loved each other, their love is so strong that they are willing to sacrifice their romantic relationship for what Callie needs. Callie even says “I need a family, Brandon” in order to emphasize what she needed, even though she wanted him.
Catherine makes a similar choice when she choses Edgar over Heathcliff. She choses Edgar’s money over Heathcliff’s personality, which was the main thing that made me question my stance. If she only loves Edgar “because he is handsome, and pleasant to be with… young and cheerful… and he loves [her]” then why do I not prefer her relationship with the man she describes as more herself than she is? (Bronte 79-81) Especially since their relationship closely parallels with one I supported.
Upon deeper reflection, their relationships are more complex than I first anticipated. Brandon and Callie were not raised as brother and sister; Heathcliff and Cathy somewhat were. Callie and Brandon loved each other so much that they were willing to let eachother go, as cliche as it sounds. Cathy’s motivation for marrying Edgar is evidence that she does not love Heathcliff like Brandon and Callie loved each other. Cathy does not marry Edgar in an effort to protect him or give him what he needs. She is selfish, and he is hurt by what she says, even though it is ridiculously out of context, it causes him great pain. I stand by my verdict to be team Edgar. It’s better to be a gold digger than to be with your ‘brother’ who you aren’t willing to make sacrifices for.
Riley's Readings 
February 19, 2020 at 9:54 PM
Interesting connection to The Fosters. I think the best remark we have on this Heathcliff vs. Edgar crisis is “It’s better to be a gold digger than to be with your ‘brother.'” I actually LOLed. However, I would press you to consider what is the purpose of this love triangle (especially now that Isabella is thrown into the mix!).
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February 21, 2020 at 2:49 AM
Honestly, I find Catherine to be a bit selfish as well. She wants things to go her way but when it doesn’t, she not only throws a dramatic fit but also hurts people around her in the process. Her decisions hurt Heathcliff and Edgar and I feel bad for them. But it might also be Nelly’s bias towards Catherine and we may not be able to know what she truly feels when she’s alone. However, her interactions with other people show a lot about who she is.
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February 21, 2020 at 8:03 PM
As someone who has watched The Fosters and didn’t ship Callie and Brandon, I think that this is a really interesting view point on both Cathy/Heathcliff’s relationship vs Callie/Brandon’s. I originally though of Callie and Brandon’s relationship as a sort of Heathcliff/Cathy but I think that you make a great point that they weren’t raised together like in WH. I think your analysis of the different types of relationships is amazing and makes me rethink not only the show but also the book. Great job!
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