Heathcliff is a villain in the story "Wuthering Heights" and as such cannot win the sympathy of the reader. Discuss.

Heathcliff is a villain in the novel, "Wuthering Heights", however he can still win the sympathy of the reader in different stages of the novel. When Heathcliff first came into the story, he was an innocent, young boy who had done nothing wrong. He was tormented and disturbed nightly for 18 years, ever having only one wish to be reunited with Catherine. At this stage of the novel, the reader tends to sympathise for Heathcliff for …

…although it becomes lesser and lesser as Heathcliff goes on ruining and destroying lives. Emily Bronte ends the novel with Heathcliff being heartless as ever, informing Nelly that she is never to set foot on Wuthering Heights again, and effectively leaving Cathy alone in her new home. Ending the novel on this negative note makes most sympathy for Heathcliff disappear. Therefore, Heathcliff gained and lost sympathy from the readers at different stages throughout the novel.