Edgar Character Analysis
What can I say about Edgar Linton? Surprisingly, quite a bit. Although he has a reserved and calm nature, there is actually ample analysis that can be drawn from his character. It may not be as spontaneous and exhilarating as his counter-part (you know, Heathcliff!) but he does represent a part of society that is necessary in Wuthering Heights.
Edgar’s tranquility goes hand-in-hand with his well-tempered upper class lifestyle. He’s wealthy and he’s a gentleman! Such a combination. Seer into the past and we discover that this was typical (the combination, not wealth) of upper class. To really be acknowledged as ‘upper class’ one would have to display exemplarily manners and exquisite refinement in chivalry to represent a higher level in society. Edgar doesn’t make any notable changes throughout the novel; he maintains his respectable upper-class personality. Although in chapter 7 (like chapter 15 in my Kindle for some reason) Edgar gets jealous of Catherine’s happiness about Heathcliff’s return, this is to be expected because of his dying fervor for Catherine. Also to add: in class it was raised if Edgar’s infamous assault (when he punches Heathcliff) counts as an outlier in his behavior. Mrs. Graham has ruled that this will not count as notable change in character. So, Edgar doesn’t really change in Wuthering Heights.
This is important in his role in the novel because Edgar represents tranquility. It kind of reminds us that everything doesn’t need to be in disarray all the time. He also serves as a ‘snapshot’ of the time period, accurately depicting upper class life hundreds of years ago. To address the second question (of the small prompt, #3): if a finger must be pointed to the impetus of Edgar’s “change” in character, I will accuse Heathcliff! Around Catherine, this always makes him slightly cautious. A description I really like of Edgar when concerned about Catherine: “… the stab of a knife could not inflict a worse pang than...