Isabel Loves Heath
The relationship between Catherine and Heathcliff is one of the most looked at relationships in all of literature, but in MTV’s adaptation, the relationship between Isabel (Isabella in the novel) and Heath is also essential to observe. Isabel is first presented in the film as what could be termed as a “loose woman.” Her first interaction with Heath is also Edward Linton’s first interaction with Cate, and there is interest between both couples, but on different levels: captivation and lust. After Heath and Cate both leave the conversation follows as:
Isabel: Close your mouth Edward.
Raquelle: Don’t tell me you’re boned up for that white trash.
Edward: No, I’m just…
Isabel: Pathetic. Can’t you see she belongs to him? Don’t worry sweetie, when I finish stealing him from her you can have the left overs.
Despite Isabel’s initial lustful reaction to Heath, her relationship with Heath develops into something else completely. After Cate leaves Heath for Linton, Isabel takes Heath under her wing in a way and encourages him to develop his music. Isabel thus becomes completely consumed and obsessed with Heath almost in the same way that Heath is obsessed with Cate. Her love for Heath consumes her and almost destroys her because Heath is incapable of loving or even noticing anyone or anything besides Cate.
Isabel almost turns into the female version of Heath because he consumes her so completely. Isabel’s captivation shows a mysterious kind of spell that Heath’s foreign, “other” origins cast on her (and Cate). She becomes consumed with Heath and wanting him to love her, to see her. Isabel’s love almost destroys her, just as Cate and Heath’s love almost destroys them. The question must then be asked, is there something about Heath’s “otherness” that captivates and consumes women past the point of recognition?
The following is a clip from one of the scenes at the beginning of the film when the Lintons first meet Heath and Cate. It shows Isabel’s first reaction to Heath.
This clip is also posted in the post about music but clips towards the end show the relationship between Isabel and Heath.
Although I have not seen this film version of the novel, I like the modern dialogue. It seems to make the Lintons more real, as opposed to in the novel when they seem as superficial and one-dimensional as a piece of paper. With this dialogue and modern take on the characters and plot, they seem more fleshed out and relevant, and if I read Wuthering Heights again I’m sure I will imagine these lines as the characters’ inner monologue while I read their actual words.
I also like the idea about Isabel turning into the female version of Heath, because that prospect–a female Heathcliff–is so frightening.
-Carrie Muller