Hindley Earnshaw is a central character in Emily Bronte's classic novel, "Wuthering Heights". Hindley is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Earnshaw, the owners of Wuthering Heights, and is the older brother of Catherine and Heathcliff. Hindley is a complex and multifaceted character who undergoes significant changes throughout the course of the novel.
At the start of the story, Hindley is depicted as a mischievous and irresponsible young man who is fond of playing pranks and causing trouble. Despite this, he is shown to be kind and loving towards his younger brother Heathcliff, treating him as an equal and including him in his games. However, when Mr. Earnshaw dies and Heathcliff is adopted into the family, Hindley becomes jealous of Heathcliff's favored treatment and begins to treat him cruelly.
As Hindley grows older, he becomes increasingly bitter and resentful. He becomes an alcoholic and squanders his inheritance, causing Wuthering Heights to fall into disrepair. Hindley's cruelty towards Heathcliff intensifies, and he becomes abusive and controlling, seeking to exert his authority over him at every opportunity.
Despite his many flaws, Hindley is not a completely heartless character. After his wife dies in childbirth, Hindley shows remorse for his past behavior and seeks to make amends with Heathcliff. However, it is too late, and their relationship remains fraught with tension and conflict until Hindley's death.
In conclusion, Hindley Earnshaw is a complex and compelling character in "Wuthering Heights". Despite his many flaws, he is a sympathetic figure, whose struggles and downfall serve to illustrate the destructive power of jealousy, resentment, and bitterness.