Wuthering Heights · Chapter
Chapter XXXIII explained
Heathcliff, witnessing the growing bond between Catherine and Hareton, is deeply unsettled by Hareton's resemblance to Catherine Earnshaw.
What happens
Heathcliff, witnessing the growing bond between Catherine and Hareton, is deeply unsettled by Hareton's resemblance to Catherine Earnshaw. He confesses to Nelly that he has lost the will for revenge and feels a strange change approaching, haunted by the memory of his lost love. A confrontation erupts when Catherine and Hareton plant flowers, but Heathcliff's rage subsides as he sees Catherine's face, leading him to reflect on his inner torment.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Destruction
Heathcliff's obsessive love for Catherine Earnshaw continues to haunt him, destroying his capacity for joy and driving him to a state of emotional paralysis.
Revenge and Cycle of Violence
Heathcliff admits his revenge has lost its purpose, as he no longer finds satisfaction in destroying his enemies' descendants, signaling a potential end to the cycle.
Supernatural and the Ghostly
Heathcliff describes being surrounded by Catherine's image in every object and cloud, treating her memory as a ghostly presence that dominates his perception of reality.
Characters to notice
- Heathcliff
Reveals his loss of desire for revenge and his torment over Catherine Earnshaw's memory; struggles with his feelings toward Hareton and young Catherine.
- Catherine Linton
Defiantly challenges Heathcliff over planting flowers and defends Hareton; shows a softening attitude toward Hareton and regrets past attempts to turn him against Heathcliff.
- Hareton Earnshaw
Defends Heathcliff against Catherine's criticisms; shows loyalty and begins to learn from Catherine, his brightening mind improving his appearance.
- Nelly Dean
Observes the interactions between Catherine and Hareton with maternal pride; listens to Heathcliff's confessions about his inner state.
- Joseph
Complains bitterly about Catherine's influence on Hareton, accusing her of bewitching him and causing him to uproot currant bushes.
Key passages
“I get levers and mattocks to demolish the two houses, and train myself to be capable of working like Hercules, and when everything is ready and in my power, I find the will to lift a slate off either roof has vanished!”
Heathcliff has prepared himself to destroy the Earnshaw and Linton homes, but now that he has the power, he lacks the desire to act.
Heathcliff's confession of lost motivation for revenge marks a turning point in his character.
“I cannot look down to this floor, but her features are shaped in the flags! In every cloud, in every tree—filling the air at night, and caught by glimpses in every object by day—I am surrounded with her image!”
Heathcliff sees Catherine Earnshaw's face everywhere, from the floor to the clouds, as if her ghost haunts every part of his world.
This illustrates the supernatural intensity of Heathcliff's grief and obsession.
“I have a single wish, and my whole being and faculties are yearning to attain it. They have yearned towards it”
Heathcliff is consumed by one desire, which he does not name, but which drives his every thought.
His cryptic longing hints at his wish to be reunited with Catherine in death.