Why Does Catherine Marry Edgar In Wuthering Heights?

In Wuthering Heights, written by Emily Brontë, an example of a loveless marriage comes from Catherine and Edgar Linton. Catherine is head over heels for Heathcliff, yet decides to marry Edgar for status instead of true love. Catherine tells Nelly “he will be rich, and I shall like to be the greatest woman of the neighbourhood, and I shall be proud of having such a husband”.This is her reasoning for marrying Edgar. Catherine also states “It would degrade me to marry Heathcliff now; so he shall never know how I love him”. Although Catherine loves Heathcliff, she prioritizes her social status, and takes the opportunity to marry Edgar and raise her status.
Edgar and Catherine are in a relationship which results in marriage. Catherine loves Edgar however only because he loves her so much. Edgar is infatuated through the usage of Catherine and loves her wholly; the love is by no means completely reciprocated. “I have such trust in Linton’s love that I agree with I may additionally kill him and he wouldn’t desire to retaliate”.€ They marry due to the fact they are each remoted and due to the truth of kind shape at the time.
Catherine never viewed herself as just a decorative piece in a home, many of her suitors wish she were less bigheaded and went more unnoticed. Catherine was able to assert her power by choosing her suitor, stringing men and others along, as if she were playing with a board game and the other characters were the game pieces. Because of Catherine’s higher social status, she initially chose Heathcliff - a “bastard child” - a desperate act to gain power, considering women often chose for money versus love in marriage. But the tides quickly change and Catherine rather than challenging the stereotypical Elizabethan woman assents into marrying, Edgar Linton, for social and financial benefits.
However, Catherine marries Edgar not only for her benefit but because “if I marry Linton I can aid Heathcliff to rise, and place him out of my brother’s power.” Catherine thinks of what is materialistically best for her by marrying Edgar in a male dominant world, hoping it would also benefit Heathcliff, her true love, as well.