XIV explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Love and Destruction

  Heathcliff's obsessive love for Catherine is portrayed as all-consuming and destructive, contrasting with Edgar's duty-bound affection. His declaration that existence without her would be 'hell' underscores the theme.

• Cruelty and Power

  Heathcliff's cruel treatment of Isabella, including hanging her dog and admitting he torments her for pleasure, illustrates the abuse of power within the marriage.

• Isolation and Alienation

  Isabella is isolated at Wuthering Heights, neglected and abused, while Edgar isolates himself from her by refusing contact. The house itself is described as 'dreary' and 'dismal.'

Characters to notice

• Nelly Dean

  Nelly acts as a messenger between Thrushcross Grange and Wuthering Heights, delivering Edgar's cold refusal to Isabella and reporting on Catherine's illness to Heathcliff.

• Heathcliff

  Heathcliff interrogates Nelly about Catherine, declares his obsessive love for her, and expresses his hatred for Edgar. He also torments Isabella, admitting he never loved her and that she now hates him.

• Isabella Linton

  Isabella appears disheveled and miserable at Wuthering Heights. She reveals her hatred for Heathcliff and her regret, but is trapped in the marriage.

• Edgar Linton

  Edgar refuses to visit or write to Isabella, stating that their families are eternally divided. He shows coldness and a sense of duty toward Catherine.

• Catherine Linton

  Catherine is mentioned as recovering from illness but changed in appearance and character. Heathcliff insists she still loves him more than Edgar.

Key passages

• “you really have a regard for her, you’ll shun crossing her way again: nay, you’ll move out of this country entirely; and that you may not regret it, I’ll inform you Catherine Linton is as different now from your old friend Catherine Earnshaw, as that young lady is different from me.”

  If you truly care for Catherine, you should avoid her and even leave the country, because she is no longer the person you once knew.

  Nelly warns Heathcliff that Catherine has changed and urges him to stay away for her sake.

• “I never would have banished him from her society as long as she desired his. The moment her regard ceased, I would have torn his heart out, and drunk his blood!”

  I would never have kept Edgar from Catherine while she wanted him, but the second she stopped caring, I would have killed him violently.

  Heathcliff contrasts his own possessive love with Edgar's, claiming he would only harm Edgar if Catherine no longer loved him.

• “She degenerates into a mere slut! She is tired of trying to please me uncommonly early.”

  She has become a slovenly woman, already weary of trying to win my approval.

  Heathcliff insults Isabella, blaming her for the deterioration of their marriage.