Through out Wuthering Heights Heathcliff is presented in many different ways to the reader which create a completly different view of his personality and motives. This is no different in the opening four chapters of the novel. During this time we are able to look at Heathcliff’s character through the perspective of three other characters, Lockwood, Nelly and Cathy. Each of these perspectives shine light on certain aspects of Heathcliff’s personality and to understand what a complex character he is. The reader is not provided with enough information on his background to know enough about his former life. We only become aware of whom he really is, later on in the novel when he narrates for himself.

Heathcliff enters the Earnshaw home as a poor orphan and is immediately assualted by questions of his parentage. He is characterized as devilish and cruelly referred to as "it" in the Earnshaw household. This impression of a poor, defencless Heathcliff during his childhood creates a binary opposition to the cold, confident Heathcliff we are introduced to through Lockwood’s narration. “ ‘Mr Heathcliff’ I said, A nod was my answer” this shows that Heathcliff holds Lockwood in contempt and doesn’t deem him worthy enough to break his isolation and engage in converse.

“He is a dark skinned gypsy in aspect, in dress and manners a gentleman” this description highlights Heathcliffs dark complextion which isolates him from the rest of the Earnshaw family, this is shown to be key as through his isolation by Hindly he becomes a very cold character who confides only in Cathy. The term ‘gentleman’ is also ironic as we learn in further reading of the book that Heathcliff is far from a gentleman in his manner in actions, which could show that his choice of attire is a elaborate ruse.

Early on in the book we are introduced to Heathcliffs dogs, these snarling protective