Wuthering Heights
by Emily Brontë
Contents
Chapter 22
Overview
Edgar Linton's worsening illness leaves Cathy Linton frightened, lonely, and emotionally vulnerable. Heathcliff exploits that vulnerability by claiming Linton Heathcliff is dying from Cathy's neglect and by threatening to expose Cathy's letters to Edgar. Nelly Dean sees the manipulation but yields to Cathy's distress, setting up a renewed visit to Wuthering Heights and advancing Heathcliff's marriage scheme.
Summary
After the late harvest, Edgar Linton catches a severe cold while walking with Cathy among the reapers. The illness settles on Edgar Linton's lungs and keeps Edgar indoors through the winter, which deepens Cathy Linton's sadness after Nelly Dean ended Cathy's secret correspondence with Linton Heathcliff.
Nelly Dean accompanies Cathy Linton on an autumn walk because Edgar Linton can no longer do so. Cathy Linton is unusually subdued and tearful, and Cathy confesses fear that Edgar Linton and Nelly Dean will die and leave Cathy alone. Nelly Dean tries to comfort Cathy, but also warns that reckless behavior or renewed attachment to Heathcliff's son could distress Edgar Linton dangerously.
During the walk, Cathy Linton climbs over a locked park door to recover her fallen hat and cannot climb back. While Nelly Dean tries and fails to open the door with her keys, Heathcliff rides up and addresses Cathy. Cathy Linton refuses to speak to Heathcliff at first, saying Edgar Linton and Nelly Dean have told Cathy that Heathcliff is wicked and hates the Lintons.
Heathcliff seizes the chance to manipulate Cathy Linton. Heathcliff says he has Cathy's old letters to Linton Heathcliff and threatens to send them to Edgar Linton if Cathy is impertinent. Heathcliff claims Linton Heathcliff truly loved Cathy, has been devastated by her silence, and is dying of grief unless Cathy visits and comforts Linton.
Nelly Dean denounces Heathcliff's story as a deliberate lie and breaks the lock to free Cathy Linton. Before Nelly can lead Cathy away, Heathcliff adds that Linton Heathcliff lives among harsh people, receives little patience from Heathcliff, Hareton, or Joseph, and needs Cathy's kindness as medicine. Nelly Dean shuts the door and hurries Cathy home through the rain.
Back at the Grange, Cathy Linton checks on the sleeping Edgar Linton and then weeps privately in the library. Nelly Dean tries to ridicule Heathcliff's claims, but Cathy Linton cannot dismiss them and insists that Cathy must know the truth and explain to Linton that the silence was not Cathy's fault. The next day, moved by Cathy's misery and hoping Linton's reception will expose Heathcliff's falsehood, Nelly Dean reluctantly accompanies Cathy toward Wuthering Heights.
Who Appears
- Cathy LintonEdgar's daughter; lonely, fearful, and persuaded that Linton may be suffering because of her silence.
- Nelly DeanNarrator and caretaker; tries to protect Cathy but reluctantly agrees to visit Wuthering Heights.
- HeathcliffManipulates Cathy with threats and claims about Linton's illness to renew contact between the cousins.
- Edgar LintonCathy's ailing father; his declining health makes Cathy vulnerable and heightens Nelly's concerns.
- Linton HeathcliffAbsent cousin; described by Heathcliff as lovesick and dying to pressure Cathy into visiting.