Wuthering Heights · Chapter
Chapter XIII explained
Lockwood observes Hindley's murderous intentions toward Heathcliff and his descent into madness.
What happens
Lockwood observes Hindley's murderous intentions toward Heathcliff and his descent into madness. Meanwhile, Nelly recounts Catherine's slow recovery from brain fever after her illness, Edgar's devoted care, Isabella's marriage to Heathcliff, and her miserable arrival at Wuthering Heights where she encounters a hostile Joseph and a rough Hareton.
Themes in this chapter
Revenge and Cycle of Violence
Hindley's obsession with killing Heathcliff and his desire to reclaim his property and blood demonstrate the destructive spiral of revenge.
Isolation and Alienation
Isabella's letter vividly describes her alienation at Wuthering Heights, where she finds no common sentiment with those around her.
Cruelty and Power
Hindley's cruelty toward Heathcliff and Joseph's rudeness to Isabella highlight the abuse of power in domestic relationships.
Characters to notice
- Mr. Lockwood
Lockwood witnesses Hindley's violent obsession with killing Heathcliff and feels a momentary covetousness for the weapon.
- Hindley Earnshaw
Hindley shows Lockwood a pistol-knife, confessing his nightly urge to kill Heathcliff, and raves about reclaiming his lost property and revenge.
- Catherine Earnshaw
Catherine slowly recovers from brain fever, nurtured by Edgar; she shows lingering melancholy and a premonition of death.
- Edgar Linton
Edgar devotedly nurses Catherine through her illness, rejoices at her survival, and hopes for an heir to secure his lands.
- Isabella Linton
Isabella writes to Nelly after marrying Heathcliff, describing her miserable arrival at Wuthering Heights and her horror at her new husband's nature.
- Hareton Earnshaw
Hareton is introduced as a ruffianly child at Wuthering Heights, who threatens Isabella with a dog when she tries to befriend him.
Key passages
“I cannot resist going up with this every night, and trying his door. If once I find it open he’s done for; I do it invariably, even though the minute before I have been recalling a hundred reasons that should make me refrain: it is some devil that urges me to thwart my own schemes by killing him.”
Hindley confesses he is compelled every night to check Heathcliff's door with a weapon, planning to kill him if it is unlocked, despite knowing he should stop.
Hindley reveals his internal struggle between revenge and reason, showing his descent into madness.
“These are the earliest flowers at the Heights. They remind me of soft thaw winds, and warm sunshine, and nearly melted snow.”
Catherine says the crocuses remind her of spring at Wuthering Heights, evoking a sense of longing and melancholy.
Catherine's words connect her to the natural world and foreshadow her yearning for the past.
“Is Mr. Heathcliff a man? If so, is he mad? And if not, is he a devil?”
Isabella asks Nelly whether Heathcliff is human, insane, or demonic, reflecting her horror and confusion about her husband.
Isabella's question underscores the theme of supernatural evil and her complete disillusionment with Heathcliff.