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First let's find the definition of bullying. The definition has been taken from this site respectfully:
http://www.ed.gov.nl.ca/edu/k12/bullying/whatis.html
Bullying is a pattern of aggressive behaviour meant to hurt or cause discomfort to another person. Bullies always have more power than victims. Their power comes from physical size, strength, status, and support within the peer group.
So using the definintion of bullying. We can clearly see that a lot of the actions that take place at the beginning of the novel are a sure fire sign of bullying. Heathcliff is clearly from a more distinct group or culture. At the time people despised Gypsies and since Heathcliff was plucked off the streets by Mr. Earnshaw. People wouldn't refer to him as an equal but merely as either a servant or a gypsy. Even though Mr. Earnshaw declared Heathcliff as his son.
The hatred between Hindley and Heathcliff is very evident from the very beginning. Hindley hates Heathcliff most likely because Hindley was used to being the man of the house. Heathcliff was now a potential threat to Hindleys inheritance of The Heights. So he marked Heathcliff as more of an enemy then a brother. He would always encourage Heathcliff to do the wrong things and refer to Heathcliff as a servant and not his brother.
This is a frequent recurring theme that happens to Heathcliff through out the entirity of the novel. Where Heathcliff is belittles and referred to as either a servant or just a Gypsy.
When Mr. Earnshaw dies and Hindley then inherits his fathers estate. Hindley declares Heathcliff nothing but a servant and forces him to sleep in the barn. Not in the house. He refers him to as a servant and treats him exactly like one. Even though that's not what Mr. Earnshaw would have wanted. Mr. Earnshaw desired Heathcliff to be referred to as his other son. Hindley was basically bullying Heathcliff by making him feel hurt and different then Hindley even though technically they were both equal and are both brothers.
Bullying has happened through out history and can be traced back to basically the beginning of civilization itself. There is always going to be someone who shows aggressive behaviour towards you which is meant to hurt or discomfort to you. Bullying is re current and isn't just a one time thing it happens over and over again. Making someone feel unwanted or unloved. Thus bullying has been the cause of depression and other forms of deep sadness. It is active not only in high school to workplaces to a manor in a novel written by Emily Bronte. Bullying is everywhere and so many people are affected by it.
This mistreatment is clearly a leading factor to why Heathcliff is the way he is later on in the novel. He is spiteful and seeks vengance on anyone. Especially Hindley. Who had treated Heathcliff like dirt since the beginning.