Wuthering Heights:
It was published in 1847 under the pseudonym of Ellis Bell. Emily Bronte probably began writing this novel towards the end of 1845, though it is possible that she may have conceived the story earlier: It was completed by the summer of 1846.
Wuthering Heights is the story of TWO FAMILIES and an OUTSIDER. The two families are Earnshaw family living at a place called Wuthering Heights, and Linton family residing at a place called Thrushcross Grange which is situated in the valley at a distance of about four miles from Wuthering Heights which is situated on a hill. The two abodes are separated from each other by moors and hills. At a small distance from Thrushcross Grange lies the village of Gimmerton with its church. The story covers almost three generations. Mr. and Mrs. Earnshaw, living at Wuthering Heights, have two children, Hindley and Catherine (or Cathy).
Mr. and Mrs. Linton, living at Thrushcross Grange, have likewise two children, Edgar and Isabella. Subsequently, after their respective marriages, Hindley Earnshaw begets a son who is named Hareton while Cathy gives birth to a girl who is also named Catherine. Isabella, the daughter of the Lintons, marries the outsider whose name is Heathcliff. Of this marriage is born a son who gets the name Linton. Towards the close of the novel, Hareton and the younger Catherine are preparing to get married. It is in this way that the novel deals with three generations
The Technique of narration
The novel employs a most original technique of narration. We have two narrators Lockwood and Nelly. Lockwood is a city-dweller who comes to Thrushcross Grange as a tenant to spend a year or so in the countryside. He meets his landlord, Heathcliff, who is living at Wuthering Heights, and Lockwood's curiosity about the inmates of Wuthering Heights is aroused, especially because of two strange, dreams which he sees in his sleep when he is compelled by circumstances to spend a night at Wuthering Heights. Lockwood then asks, Nelly, the housekeeper at Thrushcross Grange, if she knows anything about the inmates of Wuthering Heights. Nelly knows all about them and about other members of the two families who are no more in this world; and she, in compliance with Lockwood's request, begins to tell him the story of the two families and the outsider (Heathcliff). Lockwood then becomes Nelly's audience for the story, and we too are the audience along with Lockwood.
Towards the close, Lockwood once again becomes the narrator, but the circumstances of Heathcliff's death are related to Lockwood by Nelly. The novel closes with Lockwood as the narrator, just as it began with Lockwood as the narrator. In short, while there are two narrators, the major portion of the story, the entire history of the two families, is narrated by Nelly. While Lockwood is completely detached, Nelly is an active participant in the action even though she tries to give an objective account of events and happenings.
The Theme of the Novel:
Love and Revenge: The leading theme of Wuthering Heights may be stated as Heathcliff's love for Cathy and the revenge he takes upon various persons, the revenge being prompted by the frustration of his love and by the social contempt heaped upon him by Hindley Earnshaw and Edgar Linton. When Heathcliff was brought to Wuthering Heights as a dirty, ragged orphan in order to be brought up there, Hindley began to adopt a superior attitude towards the boy. When Hindley became the master of Wuthering Heights on the death of his father, he further degraded Heathcliff by his ill-treatment of him and by making him work on the farm like any other servant. This degradation of Heathcliff made it impossible for Cathy to marry him even though she told Nelly that her love for him was eternal like the rocks.
Heathcliff had vowed revenge upon Hindley for that degradation and callous treatment. Edgar Linton too had been in those days scornful of Heathcliff. Subsequently, when Heathcliff returns as a rich man, Edgar still refuses to treat him on terms of equality, so that Heathcliff is filled with bitterness against him also. Besides, Edgar is his rival in love, and a successful rival because Cathy has married him in preference to Heathcliff. Heathcliff's revenge upon Hindley and Edgar takes a terrible form.
Hindley becomes utterly bankrupt on account of his chronic heavy drinking and gambling, and his whole estate becomes mortgaged to Heathcliff who, on Hindley's death, becomes the master of Wuthering Heights. Then Heathcliff becomes the master of Thrushcross Grange also because he uses both cunning (مكر ) and coercion (اجبار ) in effecting the marriage of his own son Linton with the younger Catherine who inherits the property of Thrushcross Grange on the death of her father, Edgar Linton.
Another way in which he takes revenge upon Hindley is to bring up Hindley's son Hareton as a brute, depriving the lad of all opportunities of education and refinement. Heathcliff is now in a position to wreck the lives of both Hareton and Catherine-the descendants of the Earnshaw family and the Linton family respectively. But he has had enough of revenge, and the vindictive spirit in him subsides. He is now obsessed with thoughts of the dead Cathy and, when he ultimately dies in strange circumstances, it is believed that he has been united with Cathy because several persons have seen the ghosts of the two lovers roaming on the moors at night.
CHAPTER 1
Mr. Lockwood's Visit to Wuthering Heights
This opening chapter describes Mr. Lockwood's first visit to his landlord who lives at Wuthering Heights and who owns also a place called Thrushcross Grange which Mr. Lockwood has taken on rent for a certain period of time. The year is 1801. Mr. Lockwood goes and introduces himself to the landlord whose name is Mr. Heathcliff. Heathcliff receives his visitor rather coldly. Wuthering Heights is a place which originally belonged to a man called Mr. Earnshaw. The house was built in the year 1500. It is a strongly built house. Lockwood explains to us that the word "Wuthering" means the atmospheric tumult to which the situation of this house exposes it in stormy weather.
When Heathcliff leaves the sitting-room for a little while, Lockwood finds himself in the company of a few dogs belonging to Heathcliff. Just to while away his time, Lockwood begins to make faces at the dogs which, feeling provoked, attack him. A kitchen-maid, hearing Lockwood's cry for help, comes and rescues him. Heathcliff, however, takes the incident lightly when he returns to the room. Heathcliff then treats Lockwood to a little wine as a sign of his hospitality. Presently Lockwood leaves, after making up his mind inwardly to pay another visit to this strange house and its strange owner.
CHAPTER 2
A Young Girl and a Young Man at Wuthering Heights
This chapter introduces us to two other characters Catherine Linton and Hareton Earnshaw
Lockwood now pays a second visit to Wuthering Heights in order to meet Heathcliff. This time he also sees a young girl (Catherine) and a young man at this place (Hareton). He mistakes the young girl as Heathcliff's wife but is told by Heathcliff that she is his daughter-in-law (she is the widow of Heathcliff’s dead son Linton). Lockwood mistakes the young fellow as Heathcliff's son and the young girl's husband but Heathcliff again corrects him and informs Lockwood that his son was dead, the young fellow then intervenes and informs Lockwood that his name is Hareton Earnshaw. The weather has turned very foul and a strong wind accompanied by snow has begun to blow. Lockwood will find it very difficult to find his way back to Thrushcross Grange. He gets no help from his host and so he decides to leave on his own. However, as soon as he goes out, he is attacked by two of the dogs. Heathcliff laughs at Lockwood's plight, but Lockwood is rescued by Zillah, the housekeeper. It is impossible for Lockwood now to go back to Thrushcross Grange, and he has to spend the night at Wuthering Heights.
CHAPTER 3
Zillah puts Lockwood in a room upstairs. He is to sleep in a bed which is like a closet and very close to a window. On the window-sill are a number of old books on which Lockwood finds the names-Catherine Earnshaw, Catherine Heåthcliff, and Catherine Linton. (These are the names of the same woman “Câtherine" or “Cathy".) Lockwood also finds a diary evidently belonging to the same woman, Catherine.
One entry in this diary reads that Hindley's treatment of Heathcliff was extremely objectionable, and that Catherine and Heathcliff were going to revolt against Hindley's attitude. This entry in the diary also makes a reference to a scamper which Catherine and Heathcliff had on the moors. Another entry in the diary expresses Catherine's sympathy for Heathcliff who was regarded by Hindley as a vagabond.
Lockwood's First Dream
Lockwood goes through the pages of the diary, he falls asleep and sees a couple of dreams which are actually nightmares. In the first dream, Lockwood finds himself in a church in the company of Joseph, listening to a sermon from a priest. Suddenly the priest points an accusing finger at Lockwood, and the members of the congregation begin to attack Lockwood from all sides. Lockwood hears the sound of the priest's loud tapping on the boards of the pulpit, but on waking up Lockwood finds the branch of a fir tree, growing close to the window, striking against the glass-panes.
Lockwood's Second Dream
In the second dream Lockwood finds his hand being held by a small, ice- cold hand of a child and asking to be allowed to come in. The child gives her name as Catherine Linton (Catherine Earnshaw).
Heathcliff's Misery on Hearing the Second Dream
Heathcliff feels very angry to discover that the housekeeper had allowed Lockwood to occupy this particular bed in this particular room. On hearing an account of Lockwood's dreams, Heathcliff bursts into tears and, looking cut of the window, says: "Come in! Come in! Cathy, do come. Oh, my heart's darling!" It seems that Heathcliff is actually seeing Catherine somewhere outside. There is a great anguish in the voice of Heathcliff.
CHAPTER 4 – The second appearance of Heathcliff
Heathcliff Brought to Wuthering Heights as a Child
As Lockwood's curiosity about the inmates of the Heights had greatly been aroused, he asks his housekeeper at the Grange if she knows anything about the family at the Heights. The housekeeper, whose name is Mrs. Ellen Dean, knows a lot about that family and offers to tell Lockwood all that she knows. Mrs. Dean (or "Nelly" as we shall hereafter call her) tells Lockwood that the young lady whom he had seen at the Heights was really the widow of Heathcliff's son, and that her maiden name was Catherine Linton. Mr. Linton is the name of, Nelly's late employer.
The young fellow, Hareton Earnshaw, living with Heathcliff is the late Mrs. Linton's nephew and the young lady's cousin. The young lady's deceased husband was also her cousin. Heathcliff had married Mr. Linton's sister. Nelly goes on to say that Heathcliff had been brought as a child to the house by Mr. Earnshaw, the real owner of Wuthering Heights. Mr. Earnshaw had two children of his own: a son Hindley, and a daughter Catherine (or Cathy). Cathy was six years old and Hindley fourteen years, when Mr. Earnshaw had brought a dirty, ragged, black-haired orphan from a Liverpool slum to his house. The child who was nearly of the same age as Cathy at that time was given the name Heathcliff. Cathy had become very friendly with Heathcliff but nobody else in the family had taken kindly to the strange boy. Hindley's Ill-treatment of Heathcliff. Heathcliff as a child was sullen and indifferent to his surroundings. He seemed to have been greatly hardened by ill-treatment. Mr. Earnshaw showed a lot of affection for Heathcliff, to the point of doting upon him. But Mr. Earnshaw's son, Hindley, who was much older than both Cathy and Heathcliff, was brutal in his treatment of Heathcliff.
Nelly, as the Narrator of the Story
The real story begins in the current chapter. The two central characters in this novel are Heathcliff and Catherine (or Cathy), and they are both introduced to us properly in this chapter. A noteworthy point is that the role of the narrator of the story is now taken over by Nelly (or Mrs. Ellen Dean) who is the housekeeper at the Grange at this time. The original narrator was Lockwood who began telling us the story in the opening chapter of the novel, but as the history of the Earnshaws and the Lintons is known only to Nelly, who has served in both the families, she becomes the narrator, and Lockwood himself, like the reader, assumes the role of an audience.
CHAPTER 5
The Friendship between Cathy and Heathcliff
In course of time, Mr. Earnshaw's health began to decline. But there was no doubt at all about his continuing preference for the boy, Heathcliff. Nor was there any doubt about Hindley's continuing hatred of the boy whom he thought of as a rival. At the advice of the curate, Hindley was sent to college.
The intimacy between Cathy and Heathcliff further increased. Cathy proved to be a real nuisance to the family, and especially to Nelly. One day, Mr. Earnshaw was found dead in his chair. Cathy felt much distressed by the death of her father. Nelly overheard Cathy and Heathcliff consoling each other in this misfortune with thoughts of heaven.
Two Main Events in This Chapter
The two main events in this chapter are the departure of Hindley from Wuthering Heights for some college to receive his education there, and the death afterwards of Mr. Earnshaw. Cathy and Heathcliff are still children, and they imagine that Mr Earnshaw's soul has gone to heaven whither they too would one day go.
CHAPTER 6 (Two main events)
1- Hindley's Return, Bringing His Wife with Him
Hindley came home to attend his father's funeral. But he did not come alone. Hindley had got married without having informed his parents, and he now brought his wife with him. To Nelly, Mrs. Hindley seemed to be rather silly. Mrs. Hindley took a dislike to Heathcliff from the very start, and this further increased Hindley's original hatred of the boy.
The Friendship of Cathy and Heathcliff
Hindley now the master of Wuthering Heights, began to treat Heathcliff very badly. He reduced Heathcliff to the position of a servant on the farm. Heathcliff at first bore his degradation patiently, because Cathy taught him what she herself learned and because Cathy worked or played with him in the fields. It was one of the chief amusements of Heathcliff and Cathy to run away to the moors in the morning and remain the whole day.
2- Cathy, Detained at Thrushcross Grange
One day, after having run away for their usual games on the moors in the morning, Cathy failed to return home with Heathcliff. To Nelly's anxious inquiry, Heathcliff replied that Cathy and he had gone to Thrushcross Grange where Cathy had been bitten on the ankle by one of the dogs belonging to the Linton family and where the Lintons had detained Cathy for treatment and recovery from her wound.
The Lintons at the Grange Scornful of Heathcliff
On the following day, Mr. Linton, the master of the Grange, called on Hindley Earnshaw to inform him of what had happened. Cathy remained at the Grange under the care of the Linton family which had two children, Isabella who was eleven, about a year younger than Cathy, and Edgar, a couple of years older. While the Linton family had affectionately made Cathy stay with them, they had rather harshly ordered Heathcliff to go back home. Heathcliff had therefore not liked the behaviour of the Lintons towards him.
CHAPTER 7
Cathy's Return to the Heights
Cathy spent five weeks at the Grange, staying there till Christmas. Her ankle was now fully cured. Besides, her manners had greatly improved as a result of her stay there. When she returned to the Heights, she looked quite elegant and dignified. Hindley thought that his sister now looked quite a beauty.
Hindley lifted her from her horse, exclaiming delightedly, "Why, Cathy, you are quite a beautyl I should scarcely have known you: you look like a lady now. Isabella Linton is not to be compared with her, is she, Frances?" "Isabella has not her natural advantages," replied his wife: "but she must mind and not grow wild again here. Ellen, help Miss Catherine off with her things-stay, dear, you will disarrange your curls-let me untie your hat." (page. 63)
Heathcliff, Offended by Cathy's Criticism
Hindley allowed Heathcliff to wish Cathy welcome like the other servants.
"Heathcliff, you may come forward," cried Mr. Hindley, enjoying his discomfiture, and gratified to see what a forbidding young blackguard he would be compelled to present himself. "You may come and wish Miss Catherine welcome, like the other servants." (page. 64)
Cathy rushed to embrace Heathcliff and bestowed seven or eight kisses on his cheek. A moment afterwards, however, Cathy laughed at Heathcliff, saying that he looked grim and funny. She suggested that he should wash his face and brush his hair, because he looked so dirty. Cathy's words greatly offended Heathcliff who said: "I shall be as dirty as I please; and I like to be dirty and I will be dirty."
Isabella and Edgar Invited to the Heights
The two Linton children had been invited to spend the following day at the Heights, and they accordingly came. However, Mrs. Linton sent a message to Hindley that her children should be carefully kept away from that naughty, swearing boy, Heathcliff.
The Main Events
The main events of this chapter are Cathy's return home from the Grange and the visit to the Heights by the Linton children on the following day. The visit of the Linton children-Edgar and Isabella–is marred by an unpleasant incident which is Heathcliff's violent action in throwing a plate full of applesauce right into Edgar's face because Edgar had made an adverse comment on Heathcliff's hair.
CHAPTER 8
A Son Born to Hindley
“On the morning of a fine June day, my first bonny little nursling, and the last of the ancient Earnshaw stock, was born.” Frances Hindley gave birth to a child. However, Frances died soon afterwards because she had been a consumptive for some time, and the child was now entrusted to Nelly to be brought up by her. The child was given the name "Hareton". The death of his wife deeply distressed Hindley. However, Hindley neither wept nor prayed; he cursed both God and man, and gave himself up to reckless dissipation. He also became tyrannical towards the servants, and his treatment of Heathcliff became even more brutal.
Cathy, a Beautiful Girl of Fifteen
Cathy was now fifteen, and she was regarded as the queen of the countryside. At the same time she became a haughty and headstrong person. Edgar Linton became a regular visitor at the Heights. Isabella too was full of admiration for Cathy.
The Continuing Friendship of Cathy and Heathcliff
Heathcliff, who was now sixteen, appeared to be even more crude than before. He had been deprived of the opportunities for getting educated or becoming refined, with the result that he had now no longer any love for books or desire for learning. There was a distinct deterioration in both his personal appearance and his mental outlook. In spite of all this, Cathy and he were constant companions during his hours of leisure from the farm-work which he had to do under Hindley's orders.
Cathy's Rude Remarks to Heathcliff
One day, when Isabella and Edgar were expected to visit the Heights, Heathcliff suggested that Cathy should ignore them and pay more attention to him. Cathy gave a rather rude reply to this suggestion and said that he was hardly capable of any interesting conversation and that he looked almost dumb. And, indeed there was a striking contrast between Edgar and Heathcliff so far as looks and refinement were concerned.
Cathy and Edgar, Lovers
Cathy, having felt disturbed by the kind of talk she had just had with Heathcliff, happened to give a slap to Nelly in Edgar's very presence. When Edgar criticized her for this action, Cathy slapped Edgar also. Edgar said that, alter this treatment he could no longer stay at the Heights; but Cathy said that, if he went away, she would just cry and cry till she fell ill. So Edgar stayed on. In fact, instead of parting from each other in anger, Cathy and Edgar declared themselves lovers that very day. That day Hindley Earnshaw, who had got into the habit of drinking, returned home very drunk.
Plot-developments in this Chapter
The main events in this chapter are the birth of a son, Hareton, to Hindley; the death of Hindley's wife, Frances; Cathy's haughty treatment of Nelly; and the development of intimacy between Cathy and Edgar. Thus, from the point of view of the plot, it is quite an important chapter.
CHAPTER 9
Hindley's Rough Treatment of Hareton and of Heathcliff
Hindley's attitude towards his little son Hareton depended wholly upon his moods. At one time, he would shower kisses on the child, while at another time he would be ready to fling the child into the fire or to dash him against the wall. That night, in a drunken mood, he first talked to the child affectionately but as the child did not respond to his love Hindley began to curse him. Nelly warned Hindley not to meddle with the child. However, Hindley almost killed the child by flinging him down. Luckily, Heathcliff saved the child by catching him in his arms. Hindley was rough towards Heathcliff also, and told him that he should keep himselfaway from Hindley's reach and hearing. Hindley's drunkenness had now become chronic.
Cathy's Acceptance of Edgar's Proposal of Marriage
On the following day, Cathy told Nelly that Edgar Linton had proposed marriage to her and that she had accepted him. Cathy asked Nelly if her acceptance of Edgar's proposal was a correct decision. Nelly was not very enthusiastic about Cathy's decision, Cathy said that Edgar was handsome and rich, and that she would become the greatest woman of the neighbourhood and would be proud of having such a husband. She also said that she loved the ground under Edgar's feet and the air over his head.
Cathy's Profound Attachment to Heathcliff
At the same time, Cathy told Nelly of her profound attachment to Heathcliff, saying that there was a deep affinity between him and her. This is how she stated the difference between her love for Edgar and her affinity with Heathcliff: "Nelly, he (Heathcliff) is more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same; and Linton's is as different as a moonbeam from lightning or frost from fire." Cathy went on to say that her love for Linton was subject to change but that her love for Heathcliff was everlasting.
Heathcliff's Departure on Overhearing a Few of Cathy's Words
Heathcliff happened to overhear Cathy saying that for her to marry Heathcliff would be a degradation. Heathcliff felt so upset on hearing these words that he did not wait to overhear her statement about her profound and everlasting attachment to him. Heathcliff left the spot the very moment he overheard her saying that she would feel degraded by marrying him. Heathcliff left for some unknown destination; and, in spite of their best efforts, Nelly and Joseph failed to trace him. Cathy felt very depressed at Heathcliff's mysterious disappearance. That night a furious storm blew and several trees were uprooted or split.
Cathy's Arrogance Greater than Before
When Cathy returned home to Wuthering Heights, she was even more arrogant in her behaviour and more haughty than ever. Heathcliff had never been heard of since the evening of the storm.
Cathy, Married to Edgar
Three years later, Cathy and Edgar got married. Nelly was compelled to leave Wuthering Heights, and had to accompany Cathy to Thrushcross Grange to attend upon her, even though Nelly herself was not pleased with this arrangement. In leaving the Heights, Nelly had also to bid good-bye to· Hareton who had, ever since his birth, been under her charge.
CHAPTER 10
Cathy's Married Life
After her marriage, Cathy began to treat Nelly much better than before. Cathy's behavior towards her husband was also very affectionate. In fact, she seemed almost over fond of Edgar; and even to Edgar's sister, Isabella, she showed plenty of affection. On their part, both Edgar and Isabella were very attentive to Cathy's comforts. Edgar seemed almost to worship her and was greatly upset if she seemed displeased even in the least. Nearly half a year passed smoothly.
Heathcliff's Sudden Return
Then one September evening Heathcliff reappeared as mysteriously as he had disappeared. Nelly was surprised to see him and she asked him if he was really Heathcliff. Heathcliff told Nelly that he would like to meet her mistress, namely, Cathy. Nelly wondered what Cathy's reaction would be on seeing Heathcliff.
Cathy's Jubilation on Meeting Heathcliff
On being informed by Nelly that Heathcliff was waiting outside to meet her, Cathy felt overjoyed. She flung her arms around her husband's neck and said: "Oh, Edgar, Edgar! Heathcliff's come back!" And, saying these words, she tightened her arms around Edgar. However, Edgar did not share her happiness and enthusiasm and he told her that she should meet Heathcliff not in the family sitting-room but in the kitchen.
Heathcliff, a Changed Man
Nelly found Heathcliff to be a completely changed man in his appearance. He no longer looked the wild savage man he used to be. He now looked civilized and dignified. Cathy and Heathcliff kept gazing at each other without any feeling of embarrassment. Edgar, however, looked very annoyed by the way in which the two were showing their affection for each other. Cathy complained that it was cruel on Heathcliff's part to have suddenly disappeared and to have remained silent for three years. Heathcliff said that he had heard of Cathy's marriage and that he had come just to have a glimpse of her and then to proceed with a certain plan to settle his score with Hindley. However, he added, he now did not wish to do any harm to that man.
Heathcliff to Stay at Wuthering Heights with Hindley
When Heathcliff was leaving, Nelly asked him if he was going to the village of Gimmerton nearby in order to stay there for the night, but he said that he would be going to Wuthering Heights whither he had been invited by Hindley Earnshaw. Nelly wondered how Hindley could have invited Heathcliff to his house when Hindley had always hated this man. The fact was that Heathcliff had joined a group of people, including Hindley, who were playing cards. Hindley had been losing money and, finding Heathcliff plentifully supplied with money, had suggested that Heathcliff should come to Wuthering Heights for his stay. Heathcliff had decided to pay Hindley liberally for his stay at the Heights; and as Hindley was badly in need of he felt happy to have Heathcliff as a kind of paying guest. Heathcliff money, was now evidently a rich man.
Cathy's Strong Disapproval of Isabella's Passion for Heathcliff
Heathcliff now began to visit Thrushcross Grange occasionally. Cathy was happy to receive him whenever he came, though she did not make much show of her feeling for him. However, another development which now occurred became a cause of unpleasantness in the family. Isabella, who was now a charming young girl of eighteen, became infatuated with Heathcliff, and she told of her secret passion for Heathcliff to her sister-in-law, Cathy. Isabella expressed her feeling for Heathcliff to Cathy in the following words: "I love him more than you ever loved Edgar." Cathy, however, was not in favour of any affair developing between Heathcliff and Isabella. Therefore, she expressed her displeasure at Isabella's falling in love with Heathcliff. Thereupon, Isabella said to Cathy: "You are. a dog in the manger, Cathy, and desire no one to be loved but yourself." Cathy said that Isabella was an idiot to be in love with a man like Heathcliff whom Cathy described as "an unreclaimed creature, without refinement, without cultivation: an arid wilderness of furze and whinstone." Isabella's ardor was, however, not quenched by Cathy's censure of Heathcliff. Nelly also tried to discourage Isabella, saying that there was some mystery about the way in which Heathcliff had become rich and that Isabella should not be rash; but Isabella said that Nelly also seemed to have entered into a league with Cathy in denouncing Heathcliff.
Nelly's Apprehensions
Nelly felt much concerned about these developments, because she did not agree with Isabella that Heathcliff was a kind and honorable gentleman. Nelly was quite suspicious about Heathcliff. In fact, whenever he came to the Grange, Nelly was filled with apprehension. Heathcliff's staying at the Heights was also a cause of great anxiety to Nelly. Edgar too was suspicious about Heathcliff's circumstances and intentions.
Critical Comments
Two Startling Developments in This Chapter
There are two startling developments in the plot in this chapter. One is the sudden return, after an absence of about three years, of Heathcliff; and the second is Isabella's falling passionately in love with that man. Both events lead to certain dramatic situations and throw considerable light on the characters of all concerned.
Cathy's Secret Misery during Heathcliff's Absence
This is the first time that we get an idea that Cathy has been inwardly most miserable because of Heathcliff's absence. This is how she describes the situation to Nelly: “The event of this evening (namely, Heathcliff's return) has reconciled me to God and humanity. I had risen in angry rebellion against Providence. Oh, I've endured very, very bitter misery. Nelly, I'll go make my peace with Edgar instantly. “In other words, she is so happy at Heathcliff's return that she is willing to apologize to her husband for having been unpleasant to him in that context. The second development is Isabella's infatuation for Heathcliff and Cathy's scolding Isabella for what Cathy thinks to be Isabella's folly. Strangely enough, she denounces Heathcliff when scolding Isabella. She describes Heathcliff as an unreclaimed creature, without refinement and without cultivation. She goes on to say that he is a fierce, pitiless, wolfish man. Nelly expresses a similar opinion about Heathcliff to discourage Isabella. But Isabella defends Heathcliff, saying; “Mr. Heathcliff is not a fiend: he has an honorable soul and a true one, or how could he remember her (that is, Cathy)?” It is quite puzzling for us to hear Cathy expressing a very low opinion about Heathcliff and at the same time feeling jubilant and exultant over his return. Is it possible that she feels jealous of Isabella who, like her, has fallen in love with
that man? No explanation is offered directly by the writer but the inference is obvious. Cathy certainly likes Heathcliff to remain her own exclusive property. Edgar further rises in our estimation in this chapter. In the beginning of this, we are told that he had a deep - rooted chapter of annoying Cathy, and that he felt much troubled if she showed any sign of displeasure. Towards the end of the chapter, we are told that Edgar was kind, trustful and honorable. And, if Edgar reacts unfavourably to Heathcliff's visit, we approve of his attitude because any husband would react in the same way, especially when the visitor is the kind of man Heathcliff is. Nelly gives the account of the various developments in this chapter in such a way that Heathcliff is painted in dark colors.
CHAPTER 11
One-day Nelly went on a visit to the Heights in order to look up Hindley and warn him against harboring a guest like Heathcliff. She did not meet Hindley but she met Hareton, Hindley's son, whom she had herself reared for five years. Hareton, instead of recognizing his old foster-mother, began to abuse and curse her. On being asked who had taught him to abuse and curse people, Hareton named Heathcliff. Hareton also said that Heathcliff had taught him especially to curse his father Hindley. When Heathcliff paid his next visit to the Grange, Nelly observed him from the window trying to embrace and fondle Isabella. She immediately reported the matter to Cathy who then scolded Heathcliff for trying to entangle Isabella contrary to her own and Edgar's wishes, because Edgar could never agree to a marriage between his sister and Heathcliff. In reply, Heathcliff said that Cathy had treated him infernally (by having married another man, namely Edgar); and he said that he had a plan of revenge on those who had wronged him, adding that he sought no revenge on Cathy herself.
Nelly then went and told Edgar of the quarrel which had just taken place between Cathy and Heathcliff over Isabella. Edgar immediately entered the room. Cathy and Heathcliff were still speaking to each other bitterly, and Edgar began to use some very harsh words against Heathcliff, calling him a blackguard and saying to him: "Your presence is a moral poison that would contaminate the most virtuous." Heathcliff in reply said, addressing Cathy: "Cathy, this lamb of yours threatens like a bull," On Edgar's threatening to call his men to turn out Heathcliff, the latter called Edgar a milk-blooded coward. Thereupon Edgar suddenly gave a heavy blow to Heathcliff, and then walked out of the room. Cathy now urged Heathcliff to leave immediately because Edgar would certainly bring his men to attack Heathcliff. Heathcliff thereupon thought discretion to be the better part of valour and departed
hurriedly before Edgar's men could reach that place. Cathy then told Nelly that there was a danger of her becoming seriously ill because Edgar had behaved in a mean and jealous manner. Just then Edgar himself entered and asked Cathy whether she still wanted to continue her intimacy with Heathcliff. He clearly told her that she could either have him or Heathcliff and that he could never allow that man to enter his house again. Catherine gave no reply to this, saying only that she wanted to be left alone. She even began to dash her head against the sofa, and to grind her teeth furiously. Edgar then left her.
CHAPTER 12
Catherine stopped eating:
Edgar was miserable at Cathy's failure to come out of her room and to join him at meals. It was only on the third day after the incidents in the foregoing chapter that Cathy opened the door and asked for some water and a basin of gruel because she believed that she was dying. On being told by Nelly that Edgar had been busy looking after his own work, Cathy felt even more miserable because she felt that nobody cared: about her. In fact, she felt so grieved by the apparent indifference of Edgar to her condition that her agitation became almost a kind of madness and she began to tear her pillow with her teeth and began to talk in an incoherent manner.
When she saw her reflection in the mirror she thought that there was somebody else in that room, and she even thought that the room was haunted. She then began to imagine that she lay in her bed-chamber at Wuthering Heights. Next, she accused Nelly of being responsible for her condition, because Nelly had not told Edgar that she was dying. In short, Cathy was now in a state of delirium. When Edgar learnt of Cathy's true condition, he was grieved beyond words.
He scolded Nelly for having kept him ignorant of Cathy's real plight. When Edgar tried to soothe Cathy, she reacted unfavourably with the following words: "I don't want you, Edgar I'm past wanting you. Return to your books. I'm glad you possess a consolation, for all you had in me is gone." Seeing Cathy's desperate situation, Nelly went on her own to Mr. Kenneth, the physician. Mr. Kenneth came and, after examining Cathy's condition, said that she would get well provided no cause annoyance to her was given and provided she could be kept in a state of perfect and constant tranquility.
Just then one of the maids came rushing and informed Nelly that Isabella had run away with Heathcliff during the night. On learning of his sister's elopement with a man whom Edgar regarded as a scoundrel, Edgar said that he did not want to be bothered about what had happened and that from now onwards Isabella would be only his sister in name because the relationship between her and him had now ended.
CHAPTER 13
For the next two months, Cathy suffered from what was described as a brain fever. Edgar attended her with greater devotion than a mother would have shown in nursing her only child; and he felt extremely happy when the doctor declared her out of danger. The first time she left her bed-room was at the commencement of the following March. On the continuance of her own life depended the life of another being, because Cathy had been in the family way for several months and was now well on the way to give birth to her child.
About six weeks after her elopement with Heathcliff, Isabella wrote a brief letter to her brother, Edgar, informing him of her marriage with Heathcliff. As Edgar did not reply to her letter, Isabella wrote a long letter to Nelly (Page,166) requesting her not to disclose the contents of this letter to her brother but at the same time not to fail to acknowledge the letter and to meet her at Wuthering Heights where she was now staying with her husband. Isabella's letter revealed the blunder she had committed in trusting Heathcliff and running away with him. She had found that Heathcliff was either mad or a devil. The true nature of Heathcliff had come to her as a stunning shock. The way she had been received at Wuthering Heights by Joseph and others was most disappointing and depressing. The entire atmosphere that prevailed at the Heights was gloomy, somber and dismal. In her letter Isabella also wrote that Heathcliff devised every method to hurt her feelings and in this way to make her hate him. She had now begun to feel terribly afraid of that man. She had learnt from him of Cathy's illness, and he had accused Edgar of having caused that illness. He had also told Isabella that he would make her suffer as much as Edgar had made Cathy suffer. At the Heights, Isabella had also met the owner of the house, Hindley, who was in very bad shape. The miserable plight of Hindley was also due to the machinations of Heathc!iff. The whole property of Hindley now seemed to be in Heathcliff's possession, but Hindley had sworn to Isabella that he would not spare Heathcliff and that he would get back his property somehow because he did not want his son Hareton be a beggar.
There is a startling development in this chapter. Although we are already aware of the fact that Heathcliff never really loved Isabella and that he must have induced her to run away with him with ulterior motives (namely, to acquire her money if she had any, and to revenge himself on her brother Edgar), yet we are shocked by the account
which Isabella gives in her letter of her life with Heathcliff. This is how she sums up the situation regarding Heathcliff's treatment of her:
He is ingenious and unresting in seeking to gain my abhorrence...A tiger or a venomous serpent could not rouse terror in me equal to that which he wakes.... I do hate him-I am wretched-I have been a fool."
We really feel sorry for Isabella, and our dislike for Heathcliff is greatly increased by her account. This is a very depressing chapter, and the only ray of light here is the recovery of Cathy from her dangerous illness. Hindley's wretchedness further darkens this chapter and his imprecations against Heathcliff and his vow of revenge add to the gloom.
CHAPTER 14
In accordance with Isabella's desire, Nelly paid a visit to the Heights in order to meet her. Nelly found that the house which once used to be so cheerful now presented a dreary and dismal scene. The condition of Isabella was really pitiable. While Heathcliff seemed now to be a born gentleman by his appearance, Isabella looked a born slattern. Nelly informed Heathcliff that Edgar wanted absolutely no communication between the residents at the Heights and the residents at the Grange. She also informed him and Isabella that Cathy was certainly recovering from her illness but that she would never be what she used to be. Nelly said that Edgar had displayed his essential humanity and his sense of duty by the manner in which he had looked after Cathy.
Heathcliff was not much impressed by Nelly's praise of Edgar, and mocked at her remark about Edgar's humanity and sense of duty. Heathcliff also claimed that Cathy could never forget him just as he could never forget her. If Cathy were to die, his own existence would be a kind of death and he would find himself in hell, he said. He went on to say that Cathy could never have loved Edgar in the way she had loved him and still loved him (a scene of Platonic Love). Heathcliff said all this in the presence of his wife, without any regard for her feelings. When Isabella tried to defend her brother, Heathcliff snubbed her and then went on to deride Isabella's passion for himself which had made her marry him. He told Nelly of how he had, in Isabella's very presence, hanged her little dog and shown no consideration at all for Isabella's feelings. Then he ordered Isabella to leave the room because he wanted to talk to Nelly in private; and on finding her reluctant to leave he pushed her out of the room. He then said to Nelly that he had absolutely no pity for Isabella or for anyone else. Heathcliff now urged Nelly to carry a letter from him to Cathy in view of his deep love for Cathy and Cathy's deep love for him. He said that Cathy could never be happy with Edgar !!!. At first Nelly refused to carry any letter from him to her mistress but he pressed her so hard that she agreed.
The principal events in this chapter are Nelly's visit to the Heights, her meeting with Isabella and Heathcliff, Heathcliff's insulting and humiliating words about Isabella, his mockery of her infatuation which had made her elope with him, and his success in prevailing upon Nelly to carry a letter from him to Cathy.
Nelly now witnesses first hand Isabella's miserable plight which Isabella had described in her letter. Heathcliff now appears to be a real monster, a devil. This man seems to have something diabolical and savage in his nature even though his appearance and bearing show him to be a civilized man. Isabella's assessment of him seems to be quite correct. She says to Nelly in this chapter:
"Don't put faith in a single word he speaks. He's a lying fiend, a monster, and not a human being… The single pleasure I can imagine is to die or see him dead."
Heathcliff confirms this judgment by what he says to Nelly about Isabella and about others:
"I have no pity! I have no pity! The more the worms writhe, the more 1 yearn to crush out their entrails! It is a moral teething; and I grind with greater energy in proportion to the increase of pain.'
To these words Nelly's reply is that Heathcliff has no notion of what the word "pity" means.
CHAPTER 15
This chapter may be regarded as marking the climax of the passionate relationship between Cathy and Heathcliff. Nelly was able to deliver Heathcliff's letter to Cathy only on the fourth day of her visit to the Heights. Cathy seemed not to understand the writing but simply gazed at Nelly with a mournful look. Just then Heathcliff, who had vainly waited for some reply from Nelly for four days, himself burst into Cathy's room, and in a moment she was in his arms. He began to shower countless kisses on her, but he also observed that Cathy would never recover from the effects of her recent illness and that she was sure to die soon. He told Cathy that he could not bear to see her misery. Cathy replied that he and Edgar had both broken her heart and that she would feel no pity for him (Heathcliff). "You've killed me," said Cathy. (Platonic love)
At these words of Cathy, Heathcliff became indignant and asked her if the devil had taken possession of her and if there was any sense in what she had said. He asked her how he had killed her. He then reminded her that she herself was responsible for her misery because she had married Edgar when she had actually been in love with him (Heathcliff). Cathy said that she forgave him and would not scold him. She then asked him to kiss her again. There were tears now in Heathcliff's eyes.
CHAPTER 16
That night Cathy died after giving birth to a child. The delivery was premature because the child was born only seven months after the conception. This was the child whose name was also Catherine and whom Mr. Lockwood had seen as a grown-up girl at Wuthering Heights on his first visit thither, a visit which is described in the opening chapter of the novel. After her death, Cathy's face looked perfectly peaceful and tranquil as if she was reposing in heaven.
Heathcliff had remained at the Grange in the garden outside the house, and had come to know of Cathy's death before Nelly went out to inform him. He asked Nelly the manner of Cathy's death and, when, Nelly replied that she had died quietly as a lamb, Heathcliff vehemently said: “May she wake in torment! Catherine Earnshaw, may you not rest as long as I am living! You said I killed you. Haunt me, then. Be with me always-take any form-drive me mad. Only do not leave me in this abyss, where I cannot find you."
Cathy's funeral took place on the Friday following her death. Hindley, her brother, was invited to attend the funeral but he did not come. Isabella was not invited. A special grave was dug for Cathy's dead body on a green slope in a corner of the churchyard. At the same spot Edgar was afterwards buried when he died.
Cathy's death, which is the main incident in this chapter, is a tragic occurrence. Not only is the delivery of the child premature, but Cathy's death itself is untimely. And there is no doubt at all that her death is due to the frustration of her passion for Heathcliff. If it had been possible for her to continue her friendship with Heathcliff (and she perhaps did not contemplate an adulterous relationship with him) she would have continued to be a faithful wife to Edgar. But such an arrangement is not normal in civilized human society. In any case, our deepest sympathy goes to all the three characters involved-to Cathy, to Heathcliff, and to Edgar. Heathcliff's grief is really intense. He would like Cathy to haunt him as a ghost but not to forsake him altogether. He thus expresses his feelings at this time: "Oh, God ! It is unutterable ! I cannot live without my love! I cannot live without my soul !" What he means is that Cathy was both his life and his soul, and that now his existence will become unendurable to him.
CHAPTER 17
This is a long chapter in which several developments take place and a number of sensational incidents are described.
The main events that find place in this chapter are:
1- A fierce fight between Hindley and Heathcliff, in which Hindley, who had first attacked Heathcliff, is badly hurt.
2- Heathcliff's attack on Isabella with a dinner-knife on the following day.
3- Isabella's flight from the Heights and arrival at the Grange in a pitiable state.
4- Isabella's departure for an unknown destination as a consequence of her decision never to live with her husband.
5- Isabella's settling down in the South near London and her giving birth to a son who was given the name of Linton.
6- The death of Isabella, thirteen years after the death of Cathy, when Isabella's son was twelve.
7- The death of Hindley Earnshaw six months after the death of his sister Cathy.
Most of the incidents in this chapter are awful and terrifying and impart a dramatic quality to this chapter.
The fight between Hindley and Heathcliff is especially noteworthy in this connection because Hindley's plan to attack Heathcliff gives rise to a lot of suspense. Thereafter, the incidents follow one another in quick succession, and a period of twelve years is covered by them. However, there is nothing to confuse us in this chapter so far as
chronology is concerned. The facts are quite clear even though the time interval gives a kind of jolt to our minds.
The chapter is important also from the point of view of character- portrayal, even though there is nothing new for us about any of the persons involved. The impressions we have already formed about the various persons are further confirmed. For instance, the grief of Cathy's husband Edgar as well as the grief of her lover Heathcliff is again emphasized. Edgar becomes a kind of hermit after Cathy's death, while Heathcliff spends sleepless nights. and sheds profuse tears, not eating a meal for nearly a week after Cathy's demise. Likewise, Hindley continues his drinking, and we are told: "He died true to his character: drunk as a lord." According to Heathcliff, Hindley spent the night in drinking himself to death deliberately.
Heathcliff's brutal nature is here emphasized as much as his grief over Cathy's death. After Hindley's death, Heathcliff lifts Hindley's son Hareton on to the table and says:
"Now, my bonny lad, you are mine! And we'll see if one tree won't grow as crooked as another with the same wind to twist it."
These are significant words. Heathcliff means that he will bring up Hareton under, the same conditions in which he himself had grown up (very important). He had been very badly treated by Hindley, and that ill-treatment had permanently brutalized him. Now it is Heathcliff's turn. He would bring up Hindley's son, Hareton, in such a way that Hareton is also permanently brutalized. To some extent Heathcliff has already succeeded because, when Isabella departs from the Heights running, she knocks over Hareton who is hanging a litter of puppies in the doorway.
CHAPTER 18
The twelve years after Cathy's and Hindley's deaths was the happiest period of Nelly's life. Nelly had full charge of Cathy's daughter, Catherine.
Catherine was now twelve years old, and she was the most winsome and attractive creature that ever brought sunshine into a desolate house though she was not without faults.
Till she reached the age of thirteen, Catherine had not once been beyond the range of the park by herself. She had never heard of Wuthering Heights, and she had never heard of Heathcliff. However, she often used to ask Nelly questions about what lay beyond the distant hills. The abrupt descent of Penistone Crags particularly attracted her notice, and she had a great desire to see that place at close quarters. When Isabella died, her brother Edgar found it necessary to fetch her son Linton and look after the boy. Edgar was away for a period of about three weeks. Catherine now found an opportunity to hoodwink her governess, Nelly. One day she told Nelly that she was just going beyond the park in order to play the role of an Arabian merchant crossing the desert with his caravan. Nelly foolishly allowed her to go and take a couple of the dogs with her.
That day Nelly waited and waited for Catherine but she did not return. Evening fell and Nelly, feeling alarmed and anxious, set out in search of the girl, rightly judging that she must have gone towards the Penistone Crags. The Crags lay about a mile and a half beyond Wuthering Heights, and Wuthering Heights were situated about four miles from the Grange. Besides, in going to the Crags one had to pass in front of the house where Heathcliff now lived. Catherine had surely decided to visit the Crags and, on the way, had been detained at Wuthering Heights where she had by chance met Hareton who had taken her inside the house.
When Nelly arrived at Wuthering Heights in search of Catherine, she was relieved to find the girl safe and sound but the fact that the girl had gone to the wrong place and had met the wrong people, weighed upon her mind. Catherine had at first mistaken Hareton as the son of the owner of Wuthering Heights. But, on being told that he was not the owner's son, she mistook him for a servant. Hareton felt deeply offended with Catherine for thinking him a servant, However, he did not treat her unkindly as a consequence. Nelly then took Catherine back to the Grange, but she made no secret of her resentment at the way Catherine had tricked her. However, Nelly enjoined upon Catherine the need to keep her adventure a secret from her father, Edgar Linton.
The main event in this chapter is an encounter between the younger Catherine and Hareton (who is the son of Hindley Earnshaw). Catherine's venturing so far as Wuthering Heights in her wild rambles shows a brave spirit but also an irresponsible nature because, in going so far away, she has defied the instructions of her nurse, Nelly. Her meeting with Hareton is not of a very pleasant nature: she first mistakes him for the son of the owner of Wuthering Heights and then for a servant. The latter presumption on her part greatly offends Hareton.
CHAPTER 19
Isabella had now died; and Edgar Linton returned to the Grange with his youthful nephew, the only son of Isabella and Heathcliff. Edgar took upon himself the responsibility for bringing up the young Linton who was just six months younger than Edgar's own daughter, Catherine. Catherine felt very happy and excited at the return of her father after an absence of a few weeks. She was happier still at the prospect of getting a playmate of her own age in the person of her cousin, Linton. However, Linton's spirits at this time were very low and he cried to find himself in a strange place. Catherine did her best to soothe and comfort him. She stroked his curls, kissed his neck, and offered him tea in a saucer as if he were a baby. This treatment pleased him and he smiled cheerfully.
The New Developments in This Chapter: After our introduction to Miss Catherine in the preceding chapter, we are now introduced to young Linton in this chapter. Young Linton, as already made clear, is the son of Heathcliff and Isabella. As Isabella had died, the boy has been brought by his uncle, Edgar Linton, to the Grange. But Heathcliff, on hearing of the boy's arrival at the Grange, loses no time in sending his servant, Joseph, to the Grange with an urgent message that the boy should be sent to him at Wuthering Heights. Edgar realizes that he would not be able to keep the boy at the Grange against the wishes of Heathcliff. Nelly had her apprehensions on this score even before Joseph comes with Heathcliff's message.
CHAPTER 20
Young Linton at Wuthering Heights
On the following day, Edgar directed Nelly to take young Linton with her and hand over the charge of the boy to Heathcliff, because Edgar did not want that Heathcliff should come to his residence personally in order to take away the lad. Edgar felt that it would be futile for him to try to keep the boy because Heathcliff would definitely take him away.
Young Linton Inquisitive about His Father
On the way to Wuthering Heights in the company of Nelly, young Linton asked her many questions about his father because he had never been told by his mother anything about that man, not even the fact that the man existed. Nelly told young Linton that his father had black hair and black eyes and that he looked sterner than Edgar. She also told him that his father would not appear to be so gentle and kind as his uncle Edgar was. On arriving at Wuthering Heights, young Linton was not much pleased by the exterior of his father's abode. So he looked forward to some compensation inside the house. Heathcliff's Mockery of His Son Heathcliff was not much pleased by the looks of his son. So he mockingly said: "God! What a beauty! What a lovely, charming thing.! Haven't they reared it on snails and sour milk, Nelly? Oh, damn my soul, but that's worse than I expected." However, he spoke soothingly to the boy, 'saying: “We're not going to hurt thee, Linton." But he also made a taunting remark to the boy: "Thou art thy mother's child, entirely. Where is my share in thee, puling chicken?"
CHAPTER 21
When young Catherine came to know that her would-be playmate, Linton, had already been dispatched to Wuthering Heights, she felt very unhappy. She had to be comforted with the false promise that the boy would return to the Grange soon.
Nelly learned from the housekeeper of Wuthering Heights that young Linton was showing no signs of vitality and that besides learning his lessons, he merely lay in his bed all day. She also learnt that Linton was constantly suffering from cough and cold. Young Linton had a weakness, too, for sweets and dainties, and he was always asking for milk.
Catherine had now reached the age of sixteen. On the anniversary of her birth, the family did not indulge in any celebration because it was also the anniversary of the death of Cathy (the elder Catherine). Edgar Linton spent that day alone in the library or walked to the graveyard at Gimmerton to visit his wife's grave.
The main events in this chapter are:
1- Heathcliff’s plan; Heathcliff here frankly tells Nelly what his design with regard to Catherine is. He wants that Catherine and Linton should fall in love and get married, so that the property at Thushcross Grange may become his son’s property.
2- Catherine happens to meet Heathcliff in the course of one of her rambles and is informed by him that he is her uncle and that he had never visited the Grange because her father had once quarreled with him and brought to an end the relationship between them. Catherine finds fault with her father for having quarreled and broken off his relationship with Heathcliff. However, her father tries to explain to her that the quarrel was not his fault.
3- The meeting between Catherine and Heathcliff, followed by her meeting with Linton at Wuthering Heights. A correspondence soon begins between Catherine and Linton but, as soon as this secret correspondence is discovered by Nelly, she, under the instructions of her master, Edgar, puts a stop to it.
CHAPTER 22
In early autumn of that year Edgar fell ill and remained confined to bed throughout the following winter. Catherine, having been forbidden to correspond with young Linton, was feeling very dull and sad. In the course of another ramble, Catherine .and Nelly once again ran into Heathcliff. Heathcliff told her that, ever since she had stopped writing to young Linton, the boy had been feeling depressed and that his health had been declining. He urged Catherine to visit young Linton in order to comfort him. He even threatened her by saying that he had in his possession all the letters she had written to young Linton and that he would send those letters to her father in case she did not accept his suggestion to visit young Linton who was longing and pining to see her. He told her that young Linton was really in love with her and that he was dying for her. Her fickleness, he went on to say, would really kill that young man. She only could restore him to health, said Heathcliff.
The mean event in this chapter is Heathcliff's Success in His Plan
So far as the plot is concerned, we here learn that Heathcliff is determined to carry out his purpose of bringing about an alliance between Catherine and his son Linton. He speaks to Catherine about his son's love for her in such glowing and forceful terms that Catherine is deeply moved. Here is one of the sentences that he speaks in this connection: “He pines for kindness, as well as love; and a kind word from you would be his best medicine." Heathcliff's purpose is served, because Catherine makes up her mind to pay a visit to young Linton to assuage his feelings. This incident shows not only Heathcliff's firmness of purpose but also his understanding of the mind of a young girl like Catherine. His words to Catherine really carry conviction, but we know very well that he is only playing a game in order to acquire the property of Catherine's father.
Chapter 24
The Catherine-Linton story now moves further. Catherine becomes still more fond of young Linton because she has been visiting him secretly during Nelly's illness though, on Nelly's recovery. Catherine discloses to her all the details of her meetings with that man. Otherwise there is nothing remarkable in this chapter.
The Worthless Character of Young Linton
We form a rather poor opinion of young Linton from the way his temperament and behavior are described by Catherine. The only redeeming feature about him is that he is aware of his own deficiencies and mental backwardness. He admits to Catherine that he is worthless, bad in temper and bad in spirit. However, he also says that his father is inclined to exaggerate his faults. Another possible redeeming feature about him is that he appreciates Catherine's kindness towards him.
The Element of Sentimentality; and the Improbability
There is some sentimentality in this chapter when we are told that after a quarrel, Catherine and Linton become reconciled and they cry, both of them, the whole time Catherine stays there at this particular visit. As pointed out earlier, it is somewhat puzzling that a young and healthy girl like Catherine should fall in love with a poor-spirited and bad-tempered, sickly young man. Again, as pointed out earlier, it is probably the maternal instinct in her which draws her toward him. There is nothing of romantic glamour about this love- affair.
Chapter 25
There is nothing remarkable in this chapter too. The only development in the plot is that, after a good deal of hesitation, Edgar allows his daughter to meet young Linton not at the Heights but on the moors in the vicinity of the Grange. This is a kind of compromise at which Edgar arrives under the pressure of Catherine's desire. Edgar is now passing through a critical phase in his life. He is ailing, and incapable of any physical and mental exertion. In fact, he becomes a pathetic character in our eyes now. He is a very good and well-meaning man, naturally devoted to his daughter; but there is nothing heroic about him. His relentless attitude towards, Heathcliff is, however, perfectly justified and raises him in our estimation.
Chapter 26
This chapter is again uneventful. Hardly anything happens here. Catherine and Linton meet once again, this time in the open air on the moors. The physical and mental state of Linton makes him even more pitiable to us than he has been before. It seems that some strange influence has been working upon his mind. We can, of course, guess that it must be Heathcliff tutoring him to act and talk in a particular way. The strain under which young Linton has been living at the Heights because of the sinister influence that his father Heathcliff has been exercising upon him is proving too much for the sickly young man to bear. Nelly has already given us a hint in the preceding chapter that Heathcliff had been treating his son Linton tyrannically and wickedly. That a father should treat a son in this manner makes Heathcliff even more detestable to us.
Chapter 27
This is an eventful chapter with a number of dramatic situations. There are some striking and crucial developments in this chapter.
After two or three rather tame and tedious chapters, we at last come to one which has a gripping interest. It is evident now that Linton's letters were dictated to him by Heathcliff and that Linton had been meeting Catherine under Heathcliff's instructions. Heathcliff did all these things with a fiendish plan in his mind.
In pursuance of that plan he induces Catherine and Nelly to go with him to the Heights on the pretext that Linton, in his nervous state of mind, needs the company of Catherine with whom he is in love. As a consequence, Catherine and Nelly find themselves prisoners at Wuthering Heights. Heathcliff's object being forcibly to marry Catherine to his son, Linton. When messengers from the Grange come to make an inquiry, they are sent back with a reply that the two women had never visited the Heights on that day.
The character of Heathcliff: in this chapter appears to us even more abhorrent than before. He is a heartless, pitiless, relentless scoundrel whose vindictiveness is insatiable. His purpose in bringing about a marriage between his son and Edgar's daughter is, of course, to acquire the property at the Grange. But this purpose could have been achieved even by peaceful and friendly means because Edgar had basically no objection to this alliance, his only objection being to his daughter's visiting the place where a devil like Heathcliff dwelt. Heathcliff, on his part, employs such foul methods only to gratify his vindictive feelings which he has been harboring for a long time against Edgar.
The Character of Catherine: Catherine's character in this chapter appears in a very favorable light. At first she shows much spirit, and hurls defiance at Heathcliff. But, when she finds that defiance is futile, she appeals to him for pity, her main idea being to rush back to the Grange and to allay the anxiety which her father must be feeling on account of her absence. She too has no
objection to marrying Linton, if it can be done without causing undue anxiety to her father in his critical state of health.
Nelly too appears in a favorable light in this chapter. She tries her utmost to defend Catherine. She makes no secret of her contempt for the cowardly Linton and for the devilish Heathcliff. In this chapter, Nelly rises almost to the status of a minor heroine by the courageous stand which she takes.
Young Linton further falls in our estimation in this chapter. He is a perfect coward; he is worthy only of contempt, though an element of pity for him in our hearts to some extent softens the contempt.
Chapter 28
There are two main events in this chapter. Catherine is married to young Linton during her and Nelly's imprisonment at the Heights. She has now become Mrs. Linton Heathcliff (because young Linton is the son of Heathcliff and his full name is Linton Heathcliff). Edgar Linton, Catherine's father, and the owner of Thrushcross Grange, now dies. However, just before he dies, Catherine makes her appearance, and father and daughter are able to look at each other before the former departs from this world. Catherine has been able to come and see her dying father through the softening of young Linton, who not able to endure her anguish, had liberated her from her imprisonment without the knowledge of his father. This shows that there is still a human touch in this cowardly fellow who has completely been brutalized by his father's bullying and coercive techniques. Edgar was only thirty-nine at the time of his death.
This is one of the most pathetic chapters in the book. Our sympathy is deeply aroused for the dying Edgar Linton, and for his unlucky daughter, Catherine. The scene of the reunion between father and daughter just before the former expires is very touching. This is how the author describes this scene:
"Catherine's despair was as silent as her father's joy. She supported him calmly, in appearance; and he fixed on her features his raised eyes that seemed dilating with ecstasy."
Before dying, Edgar murmured to Catherine that he was going to rejoin his wife. (One of the most beautiful pictures drawn by Bronte about the Platonic Love)
Chapter 29
This is one of the most remarkable and most crucial chapters. While Heathcliff's cruelty is further emphasized by the manner in which he behaves towards Catherine, here, for the first time, after a long interval, we experience a strong feeling of sympathy for him. His cruelty is obvious from the manner in which he says to Cathy: " Begone, witch, and get your things.” He also now wants to add to his income by letting the Grange to a tenant. But the reason why we experience a strong feeling of sympathy for this devil is that he gives evidence of a redeeming quality which consists in his profound and undying love for Cathy (the elder Catherine). If a man is capable of such an intense and sustained passion which is genuine and authentic, he is not an unredeemed devil or scoundrel or monster. The account which he gives of the way he tried to dig out the dead Cathy's grave in order to take a look at her coffin, and the account which he gives of how he has arranged for his own burial close to the dead body of Cathy show that his love for that woman is of an almost superhuman quality.
Very few men can love in the way Heathcliff has loved Cathy, and the flame of his love has never been extinguished or even dimmed. This particular aspect of his character raises him in our estimation, and this is the reason why there are two different approaches to his character - one approach being that he is an unredeemed devil, and the other being that, although he is a real villain, there is also something in him which wins him our deepest sympathy.
Chapter 30
Young Linton now dies. Heatheliff, and even the others, had always known that young Linton was languishing and would soon depart from this world. However, Heathcliff shows a most unnatural attitude towards his son when he declares that he is not willing to spend a farthing on young Linton because young Linton, in his opinion, is not worth a farthing. Catherine's grief is, however, obvious. She keeps to her own room for a number of days and even afterwards does not show any relaxation of spirit.
The State of Catherine's Mind, and the Remedy for It
A new development may now be expected. Hareton, tries to win Catherine's favour, but Catherine declares her abhorrence for him and for others in the house. This is what she says:
"Mr. Hareton, and the whole set of you, will be good enough to understand that I reject any pretense of kindness you have the hypocrisy to offer. I despise you, and will have nothing to say to any of you. When I would have given my life for one kind word, or even to see one of your faces, you all kept off."
Catherine is not afraid even of the tyrant, Heathcliff. Even to him she speaks rudely and, if he ever hits her, she grows more venomous. According to Nelly, the only remedy for the present state of affairs in Catherine's life is for her to get married again.
Mr. Lockwood to Call on His Landlord
At this point, the story which Nelly has been narrating to Mr. Lockwood comes to an end. Mr. Lockwood has been hearing the story off and on during the period of his recovery from an illness. He is now well enough to be able to move about and has recovered much of his strength. He therefore proposes to ride over to Wuthering Heights to inform his landlord, Heathcliff, that he would spend the next six months in London and that he would thereafter vacate the Grange so that Heathcliff may look for another tenant. This means that Mr. Lockwood would not like to extend his tenancy of the Grange beyond the period of one year for which he had signed the contract. Of that one year, six months are already over, and the next six months he would be spending in London though technically he would still be Heathcliff's tenant at the Grange.
Chapter 31
Lockwood's Impressions of the Various Persons at the Heights
This chapter hardly contains anything of much importance. It describes Lockwood's visit to the Heights to give notice to his landlord that he would not be renewing his contract as a tenant beyond the one year for which he has already taken the Grange on rent. This chapter also describes his impressions of the various persons now inhabiting the Heights. About Catherine, he says that she is certainly beautiful but not gentle: "She's a beauty, it is true; but not an angel." Her attitude towards Hareton is still haughty, and Hareton is crude towards her as he used to be. However, we learn that Hareton has been making efforts to improve himself mentally by trying to read books. Heathcliff is as grim and saturnine as he could be expected to be. It is also to be noted that the narrative is now being given to us by Lockwood and not by Nelly Dean.
Chapter 32
The narrator in this chapter is still Lockwood, as he was in the preceding chapter. He gives us an account of a visit to the Heights after several months' absence. There is an important development in the plot in this chapter, and that is the intimacy that has developed between Hareton and Catherine who had previously been almost hostile towards him. As Lockwood puts it, the two enemies have now become sworn allies. Nelly's comment on the intimacy between the two young people is as follows:
"The crown of all my wishes will be the union of these two. I shall envy no one on their wedding-day: there won't be a happier woman than myself in England."
However, Joseph continues to be as irritable and bad-tempered as ever before. To him it gives no pleasure to see the young people getting so close to each other. But perhaps an even more important development in the plot is Heathcliff's death which had occurred three months before and an account of which will be given to us in the final chapter.
Chapter 33
The first part of this chapter contains a dramatic situation involving Catherine and Heathcliff. Catherine, having become over-confident on account of her intimacy with Hareton, speaks to Heathcliff in a very defiant manner which infuriates Heathcliff. She almost throws a challenge at Heathcliff by saying to him: "If you strike me, Hareton will strike you." However, she is mistaken in this view, because Hareton is absolutely tame in Heathcliff's presence. It is an exciting scene which shows that neither Catherine nor Heathcliff has lost their original haughtiness and tyrannical spirit respectively. Hareton is changed only in so far as his feelings towards Catherine are concerned. But he remains perfectly submissive to Heathcliff. At this time, we are told, Hareton is twenty-three and Catherine eighteen.
The second part of the chapter which is really important. This part has great psychological value and it is directly related to the central theme of the novel which is the Heathcliff's-Cathy relationship. Heathcliff here gives us a glimpse of his own mind. He reveals to us that all his past actions have been governed by one idea, and that idea was his love for Cathy. In every object he sees the image of Cathy. And he has been tormented by a sense of failure. This is how he expressed this sense of defeat: "The entire world is a dreadful collection of memoranda that she did exist, and that I have lost her." Hareton is to him a reminder of his youth, and Hareton's countenance is a reminder to him of his immortal love for Cathy, of his wild attempts to gain Cathy, and of his own degradation, his pride, his happiness and his anguish. Hareton's love for the younger Catherine has become symbolic in Heathcliff's eyes of his own immortal love for the elder Catherine.
The Change in Heathcliff Another important fact from the psychological point of view is the change that comes upon Heathcliff so far as his destructive attitude towards the two families-the Earnshaws and the Lintons-is concerned. Says he to Nelly:
"It is a poor conclusion is it not? I get levers and mattocks to demolish the two houses, and train myself to be capable of working like Hercules, and when everything is ready and in my power, I find the will to lift a slate of either roof has vanished…..I have lost the faculty of enjoying their destruction, and I am too idle to destroy for nothing."
Chapter 34
This chapter, containing a long account of the manner of Heathcliff's death, brings the story of the novel to a close. The whole of this chapter is permeated by a weird and supernatural atmosphere. In the first place, Nelly's reaction to the strange glitter in Heathcliff's eyes when he returns home one morning gives rise to such an atmosphere. Nelly thinks to herself: "That smile, and ghastly paleness! It appeared to me not Mr. Heathcliff, but a goblin." She asks herself whether he is a ghoul or a vampire.
Heathcliff, a Sort of Fiend
Secondly, the entire behavior of Heathcliff as described in this chapter gives us the feeling that he is not an ordinary or normal kind of man. In fact, he himself says to Nelly: "I believe you think me a fiend, something too horrible to live under a decent roof." Then his open eyes and parted lips, after he has died, contribute to this weird impression especially because the eyes simply refuse to be shut. And then comes Joseph's comment that the devil has carried off Heathcliff's soul.
The Ghosts
Finally, there are the stories regarding the ghosts of Heathcliff and Catherine having been seen at night on different occasions by different people.
A Happy Ending
Although the novel closes on a somber note, the ending does not depress us because, in the first place, Catherine and Hareton are going to be happily married and, in the second place (and this is even more important), Heathcliff and Cathy have been united in death. The stories about their spirits roaming the moors symbolize this union. The love which could not be fulfilled during the life-time of the two has been fulfilled after their deaths.
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