As mentioned in my previous post, I have not read Wuthering Heights. However I have read discussion about the casting choice for Heathcliff in the new movie adaption. Aside from the fact that white men have already portrayed Heathcliff in film, the fact it is left vague and ambiguous in the book means it is open to interpretation.

I will though add my 2 cents on the matter of “what race is Heathcliff” and say, my opinion is that Heathcliff is Indian (and I’m referring to the larger original India, not the modern nation) based on the usage of the term “lascar” to describe him. I think the most likely scenario is that Heathcliff is an abandoned child of an Indian sailor operating on a British ship.

Indians are genetically a diverse people and so the other comments made of Heathcliff being “dark skinned” and looking like a “gypsy” could be applied to an Indian boy/young man depending on features.

I think this makes a lot more sense than the theory that Heathcliff is Black / African. But I’m happy to hear other theories.