Wuthering Heights · Chapter
XVIII explained
Nelly Dean describes the twelve years following Catherine Earnshaw's death as the happiest of her life, focusing on the upbringing of young Catherine Linton.
What happens
Nelly Dean describes the twelve years following Catherine Earnshaw's death as the happiest of her life, focusing on the upbringing of young Catherine Linton. Cathy grows into a beautiful, spirited, and affectionate child, though she has a saucy temper and a perverse will. She is kept secluded in Thrushcross Grange, but her curiosity about the moors and Penistone Crags grows. When Edgar Linton travels to attend his dying sister Isabella, Cathy disobeys orders and ventures out alone, meeting Hareton Earnshaw at Wuthering Heights. She is offended when he treats her as a servant and when the housekeeper calls him her cousin. Nelly persuades Cathy to keep the visit secret from her father.
Themes in this chapter
Social Class and Inequality
Cathy's offense at being called a servant by Hareton highlights the rigid class distinctions. Hareton's degradation and lack of education contrast with Cathy's privileged upbringing.
Family and Generational Conflict
The chapter shows the next generation: Cathy's curiosity about the moors and her secret visit to Wuthering Heights foreshadows conflict with her father's wishes. Hareton's neglect by Heathcliff and Joseph's manipulation also reflect generational tensions.
Isolation and Alienation
Cathy is kept as a recluse within Thrushcross Grange, while Hareton is isolated and brutalized at Wuthering Heights. Both characters are alienated from the wider world in different ways.
Cruelty and Power
Heathcliff's deliberate neglect and brutalization of Hareton, and Joseph's satisfaction in watching Hareton's ruin, exemplify the cruelty of those in power over the vulnerable.
Characters to notice
- Catherine Linton
Young Cathy is described as a beautiful, spirited child with a sensitive heart and a perverse will. She disobeys orders, ventures to Wuthering Heights, and meets Hareton, but is insulted when he treats her as a servant.
- Nelly Dean
Nelly narrates the chapter, recounting the happy years raising Cathy and her anxiety when Cathy goes missing. She persuades Cathy to keep the visit to Wuthering Heights secret from Edgar.
- Edgar Linton
Edgar is a devoted father who educates Cathy himself and keeps her secluded. He travels to attend his dying sister Isabella, leaving Cathy in Nelly's care with strict orders not to leave the park.
- Hareton Earnshaw
Hareton is described as having been neglected and brutalized by Heathcliff, with Joseph encouraging his pride of lineage. He meets Cathy and guides her to Penistone Crags, but offends her by addressing her as a servant.
- Heathcliff
Heathcliff is described as a cruel landlord who has deliberately kept Hareton uneducated and brutish. He is gloomy and avoids companionship.
- Joseph
Joseph contributes to Hareton's deterioration by flattering him and blaming Heathcliff for his faults. He instills pride of name and lineage in Hareton.
- Isabella Linton
Isabella is mentioned as having died after more than a dozen years of separation from Heathcliff. She writes to Edgar, entrusting Linton to his care.
- Linton Heathcliff
Linton is mentioned as Isabella's son, whom she hopes will be left with Edgar after her death.
Key passages
“He appeared to have bent his malevolence on making him a brute: he was never taught to read or write; never rebuked for any bad habit which did not annoy his keeper; never led a single step towards virtue, or guarded by a single precept against vice.”
Heathcliff deliberately set out to turn Hareton into an animal: he never educated him, never corrected his bad habits unless they bothered Heathcliff himself, and never guided him toward goodness or protected him from wrongdoing.
Nelly describes Heathcliff's systematic neglect and cruelty toward Hareton, aiming to degrade him.
“She was the most winning thing that ever brought sunshine into a desolate house: a real beauty in face, with the Earnshaws' handsome dark eyes, but the Lintons' fair skin and small features, and yellow curling hair.”
Young Cathy was the most charming child imaginable, bringing joy to the gloomy house. She was truly beautiful, combining the Earnshaws' striking dark eyes with the Lintons' fair complexion, delicate features, and blonde curly hair.
Nelly fondly describes Cathy's appearance and her positive effect on Thrushcross Grange.
“I explained how he objected to the whole household at the Heights, and how sorry he would be to find she had been there; but I insisted most on the fact, that if she revealed my negligence of his orders, he would perhaps be so angry that I should have to leave; and Cathy couldn't bear that prospect: she pledged her word, and kept it for my sake.”
I told Cathy that her father disapproved of everyone at Wuthering Heights and would be upset to learn she had visited. But I stressed most that if she told him I had let her go against his orders, he might fire me. Cathy didn't want that to happen, so she promised to keep it secret, and she did, for my sake.
Nelly manipulates Cathy's affection for her to ensure the secret is kept from Edgar.
