Wuthering Heights
by Emily Brontë
Contents
Chapter 23
Overview
Cathy and Nelly visit Wuthering Heights during Heathcliff's absence and find Linton ill, neglected, peevish, and adept at using weakness to command Cathy's sympathy. A quarrel over their parents exposes Heathcliff's influence over Linton and leaves Cathy guilty after Linton's coughing fit.
Nelly sees that Linton's dependence is selfish rather than romantic, but Cathy believes she can nurse and reform him. When Nelly falls ill afterward, Cathy gains unobserved evening freedom, implying that Heathcliff's marriage scheme can continue through secret visits.
Summary
Nelly and Cathy travel to Wuthering Heights on a wet, misty morning to see whether Heathcliff is truly absent. They enter through the kitchen, where Joseph sits by the fire and refuses help. Hearing Linton calling from the inner room, Cathy and Nelly go in and find Linton cold, feverish, coughing, and resentful of the household's neglect.
Linton complains that Cathy should have visited instead of writing and says Heathcliff blamed Linton for her absence. Cathy reassures Linton that she does not despise him and says she loves him next to Edgar and Nelly, though she fears Heathcliff. Linton repeats Heathcliff's idea that Cathy would love him best if she were his wife, while Cathy innocently prefers that Linton were her brother.
The conversation turns hostile when Cathy mentions Isabella's unhappy marriage to Heathcliff. Linton defends Heathcliff and repeats insults against Edgar, then claims Catherine Earnshaw hated Edgar and loved Heathcliff. Cathy, enraged, pushes Linton's chair; Linton falls against the arm and has a severe coughing fit. Cathy is horrified, but Linton uses the episode to make Cathy feel guilty and to secure her sympathy.
Nelly tries to leave, recognizing Linton's selfish manipulation, but Cathy remains anxious and tender. Linton insists Cathy has made him worse and says Cathy must return to cure him. Cathy soothes Linton, lets Linton lean on her, and recites ballads until noon, despite Nelly's objections. Before leaving, Cathy secretly promises Linton something contrary to Nelly's refusal to bring her back.
On the way home, Nelly warns Cathy not to visit Wuthering Heights again and threatens to tell Edgar. Cathy argues that she is nearly seventeen, that the Grange is not a prison, and that Linton would improve under her care. After they return, Nelly becomes ill from the wet journey and is confined for three weeks. Cathy nurses both Edgar and Nelly devotedly, but Nelly later realizes that Cathy's flushed cheeks and cold-reddened fingers likely came from secret evening rides to Wuthering Heights.
Who Appears
- Cathy LintonVisits Linton, quarrels with him, feels guilty, and likely resumes secret visits.
- Linton HeathcliffSickly, neglected, peevish cousin who manipulates Cathy's sympathy and desire to nurse him.
- Nelly DeanEscorts Cathy, recognizes Linton's selfishness, forbids visits, then falls ill for three weeks.
- JosephSurly servant at Wuthering Heights who ignores Linton's calls and refuses assistance.
- HeathcliffAbsent but influential father who pressures Linton and fuels hostility toward Edgar.
- Edgar LintonAiling father whom Cathy continues nursing; unaware of the visit to Wuthering Heights.
- Hareton EarnshawMostly offstage; Linton complains that Hareton laughs at him.
- ZillahAbsent housekeeper whom Linton blames for neglecting his needs.