Final answer:
Heathcliff represents the social and economic struggles faced by the Irish peasants during the Irish famine in Wuthering Heights.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Emily Brontë's novel Wuthering Heights, Heathcliff represents many things, but in regards to the Irish famine, he can be seen as a symbol of the social and economic struggles faced by the Irish peasants during that time period.
Heathcliff's origins are obscure and he is often treated as an outsider, marginalized and mistreated. His experiences and treatment mirror the oppression and discrimination faced by the Catholic Irish during the famine.
Furthermore, Heathcliff's intense desire for revenge and his destructive actions can be interpreted as a reflection of the anger and resentment felt by the Irish people towards the British government for their failure to adequately respond to the famine and alleviate their suffering.