Character Analysis: Heathcliff and Mariam as Outsiders
Both Heathcliff and Mariam are defined by their status as outsiders in their respective societies:
- Heathcliff lacks a surname and is described as an "outsider" and even referred to as "it," creating an enigmatic and ambiguous aura around him.
- Mariam is labelled a "harami" (an unwanted thing), suggesting she has "no legitimate claim" to family or acceptance.
- Both characters are condemned by their societies – Heathcliff by Hindley as a "usurper of his parent's attentions and privileges," and Mariam for her illegitimate birth.
Their responses to rejection differ significantly:
- Heathcliff takes pride in his lack of identity while Mariam longs for love and acceptance.
- Catherine's attitude toward Heathcliff reveals 19th-century views of marriage as a "business" arrangement when she states, "it would degrade me to marry Heathcliff."
Key Concept: Both novels explore how society's rejection shapes individual identity. Heathcliff embraces his outsider status as power, while Mariam's rejection becomes a source of lifelong suffering, reflecting different approaches to social marginalization.
Symbolic elements reinforce their characterisation:
- Mariam's association with the tuberose (white flower) represents purity despite her societal status.
- Heathcliff's lack of origin story creates mystery that becomes central to his character.




