"Will you give up Heathcliff hereafter, or will you give up me? It is impossible for you to be my friend and his at the same time; and I absolutely require to know which you choose" (117).
A theme that is prevalent throughout the novel is social class and how it affects relationships. The Lintons are of higher social class than the Earnshaws. As a result, Catherine Earnshaw longed to be of superior ranking as opposed to her middle-class ordinary life. This motivated her to marry Edgar-because she wanted to be looked up to in higher regards. Heathcliff is obviously of lower social class and this is what causes him to be cast down upon and treated as an inferior. The difference of social class is what creates conflict between many of the characters. It creates conflict between Hindley and Heathcliff at the beginning of the novel, because Hindley doesn't favor having an orphan as his sibling. But mainly it causes conflict between Heathcliff/Isabella and Edgar/Catherine because they are marrying out of completely different social classes. Moral of the story: Don't marry for riches.
Also the setting of the two houses define the social class too. Wuthering Heights is characterized as gloomy, depressing, dark, and earthy which puts it under the category of lower to middle class. On the other hand, Thrushcross Grange is portrayed as cleaner with more servants and a more pleasant atmosphere and it gives off a higher class feel.
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