Wuthering Heights Wuthering Heights

Literature Project Literature Project

Catherine Earnshaw Linton

CONFLICTSCONFLICTS

With self - Internal conflictWith self - Internal conflict

Catherine’s major conflict with her self is evident Catherine’s major conflict with her self is evident when she is confused about marrying Edgar as she when she is confused about marrying Edgar as she loves Heathcliff. “In whichever place the soul lives-loves Heathcliff. “In whichever place the soul lives-in my soul, and in my heart, I’m convinced I’m in my soul, and in my heart, I’m convinced I’m wrong!”wrong!”

She knows that she and Heathcliff are the same self She knows that she and Heathcliff are the same self (“he’s more myself than I am”) and yet she feels (“he’s more myself than I am”) and yet she feels that “It would degrade me to marry Heathcliff”.that “It would degrade me to marry Heathcliff”.

““I want to cheat my uncomfortable conscience”I want to cheat my uncomfortable conscience” ““My love for Linton is like the foliage in the woods…My love for Linton is like the foliage in the woods…

My love for Heathcliff resembles the eternal rocks My love for Heathcliff resembles the eternal rocks beneath- a source of little visible delight, but beneath- a source of little visible delight, but necessary...Nelly, I necessary...Nelly, I am am Heathcliff”Heathcliff”

““Every Linton on the face of the earth might melt Every Linton on the face of the earth might melt into nothing, before I could consent to forsake into nothing, before I could consent to forsake Heathcliff!”Heathcliff!”

During her delirious state, Catherine is unable to During her delirious state, Catherine is unable to recognize herself in a mirror. recognize herself in a mirror.

With self – ValuesWith self – Values

When Heathcliff returns after an absence of When Heathcliff returns after an absence of 3 years, Catherine tends to ignore her 3 years, Catherine tends to ignore her Victorian values and keeps up an association Victorian values and keeps up an association with him, even though Edgar dislikes this with him, even though Edgar dislikes this and this makes him ask “Do you love that and this makes him ask “Do you love that wretch Heath-” but she tells him to be silent.wretch Heath-” but she tells him to be silent.

““I’d rather see Edgar at bay than you” (to I’d rather see Edgar at bay than you” (to Heathcliff)Heathcliff)

During her illness, she tells Edgar that she During her illness, she tells Edgar that she does not need him does not need him

““Well might Catherine deem that heaven Well might Catherine deem that heaven would be land of exile to her, unless, with would be land of exile to her, unless, with her mortal body, she cast away her mortal her mortal body, she cast away her mortal character also”character also”

With self- MotivationsWith self- Motivations Catherine tries to be on good terms with Heathcliff due to her Catherine tries to be on good terms with Heathcliff due to her

old friendship with him but she wants to make a good old friendship with him but she wants to make a good impression on Linton “for when Heathcliff expressed impression on Linton “for when Heathcliff expressed contempt of Linton, in her presence, she could not half contempt of Linton, in her presence, she could not half coincide, as she did in his absence; and when Linton evinced coincide, as she did in his absence; and when Linton evinced disgust and antipathy to Heathcliff, she dared not treat his disgust and antipathy to Heathcliff, she dared not treat his sentiments with indifference, as if depreciation of her old sentiments with indifference, as if depreciation of her old playmate were of scarcely any consequence to her”playmate were of scarcely any consequence to her”

Catherine’s motivations for marrying Edgar are to gain a Catherine’s motivations for marrying Edgar are to gain a higher status in society even though her heart is against higher status in society even though her heart is against marrying Edgar. marrying Edgar.

According to Nelly, “You love Mr. Edgar because he is According to Nelly, “You love Mr. Edgar because he is handsome, and young, and cheerful, and rich, and loves handsome, and young, and cheerful, and rich, and loves you.”you.”

“…“…did it never strike you that, if Heathcliff and I were did it never strike you that, if Heathcliff and I were married, we should be beggars? Whereas, if I marry Linton, I married, we should be beggars? Whereas, if I marry Linton, I can aid Heathcliff to rise , and place him out of my brother’s can aid Heathcliff to rise , and place him out of my brother’s power” and according to Nelly this is the “worst motive” that power” and according to Nelly this is the “worst motive” that Catherine has given for marrying Edgar. Catherine has given for marrying Edgar.

With self – DesiresWith self – Desires At first, Catherine desires to achieve a high social At first, Catherine desires to achieve a high social

standing by marrying Edgar standing by marrying Edgar

At the time of her illness, Catherine’s ultimate At the time of her illness, Catherine’s ultimate desire is to be reunited with Heathcliff and for this desire is to be reunited with Heathcliff and for this she forsakes Edgar and all her previous wishes to she forsakes Edgar and all her previous wishes to have a higher social standing . have a higher social standing .

““Heathcliff..they may bury me twelve feet deep, Heathcliff..they may bury me twelve feet deep, and throw the church over me; but I wont rest till and throw the church over me; but I wont rest till you ae with me…I never will!”you ae with me…I never will!”

Catherine badly wants to escape this world during Catherine badly wants to escape this world during her illness:her illness:

- “I’m wearying to escape into that glorious world, - “I’m wearying to escape into that glorious world, and to be always there…really with it and in it” and to be always there…really with it and in it”

Others- Heathcliff (ally)Others- Heathcliff (ally) Catherine’s conflict with Heathcliff is on a social Catherine’s conflict with Heathcliff is on a social

scale and the first signs of this conflict appear scale and the first signs of this conflict appear when Catherine returns after her transformation, when Catherine returns after her transformation, from Thrushcross Grange after a stay of 5 weeks. from Thrushcross Grange after a stay of 5 weeks.

““He might well sulk behind the settle on beholding He might well sulk behind the settle on beholding such a bright, graceful damsel enter the house, such a bright, graceful damsel enter the house, instead of a rough-headed counterpart to himself instead of a rough-headed counterpart to himself as he expected” as he expected”

The physical manifestation of this conflict is when The physical manifestation of this conflict is when in chapter 8, Heathcliff tells her that she prefers in chapter 8, Heathcliff tells her that she prefers the Lintons over him and they quarrel. She says to the Lintons over him and they quarrel. She says to him “You might be dumb or a baby for anything him “You might be dumb or a baby for anything you say to amuse me, or for anything you do, you say to amuse me, or for anything you do, either!”either!”

““You and Edgar have broken my heart, Heathcliff!”You and Edgar have broken my heart, Heathcliff!”

With others- With others-

Isabella:Isabella:

Catherine’s conflict with Isabella is a minor Catherine’s conflict with Isabella is a minor one as Isabella appears as a rival to her one as Isabella appears as a rival to her when it comes to their affections for when it comes to their affections for Heathcliff. Catherine’s discomfort is Heathcliff. Catherine’s discomfort is obvious when Heathcliff thinks about obvious when Heathcliff thinks about marrying Isabella and he tells her this: marrying Isabella and he tells her this:

“ “ I’m not I’m not your your husband, husband, youyou needn’t be needn’t be jealous of me!”jealous of me!”

With the environmentWith the environment

When Catherine returns transformed after a stay When Catherine returns transformed after a stay of 5 weeks at Thrushcross Grange, her new of 5 weeks at Thrushcross Grange, her new dressing and style is at conflict with the dressing and style is at conflict with the environment of Wuthering Heights. Her arrogance environment of Wuthering Heights. Her arrogance is disliked by the servants. is disliked by the servants.

When Catherine moves to Thrushcross Grange, When Catherine moves to Thrushcross Grange, her rebellious spirit is not in tune with the calm her rebellious spirit is not in tune with the calm and peaceful atmosphere of Thrushcross Grange. and peaceful atmosphere of Thrushcross Grange.

- ““I wish I were out of doors – I wish I were a girl I wish I were out of doors – I wish I were a girl again, half savage, hardy and free…Why am I so again, half savage, hardy and free…Why am I so changed? Why does my blood rush into a hell of changed? Why does my blood rush into a hell of tumult at a few words?”tumult at a few words?”

With Destiny - PurposeWith Destiny - Purpose At first Catherine’s apparent purpose is to be on At first Catherine’s apparent purpose is to be on

good terms with the Lintons and to marry Edgar good terms with the Lintons and to marry Edgar and marry Edgar gain a better social standing and marry Edgar gain a better social standing and for this she decides to give up marrying and for this she decides to give up marrying Heathcliff even though she loves him. Heathcliff even though she loves him.

Later Catherine’s apparent purpose is to be Later Catherine’s apparent purpose is to be reunited with Heathcliff and for this she consents reunited with Heathcliff and for this she consents to forsake her relationship with Edgar and puts up to forsake her relationship with Edgar and puts up a conflict against her married life.a conflict against her married life.

““They were too much absorbed in their mutual They were too much absorbed in their mutual joy to suffer embarrassment; not so Mr Edgar; he joy to suffer embarrassment; not so Mr Edgar; he grew pale with pure annoyance…”grew pale with pure annoyance…”

““Well, if I cannot keep Heathcliff for my friend – if Well, if I cannot keep Heathcliff for my friend – if Edgar will be mean and jealous, I’ll try to break Edgar will be mean and jealous, I’ll try to break their hearts by breaking my own.”their hearts by breaking my own.”

Destiny - AspirationsDestiny - Aspirations

Catherine’s aspirations are to marry Edgar to gain Catherine’s aspirations are to marry Edgar to gain a higher social standing. a higher social standing.

Catherine wants to be (with) Heathcliff forever:Catherine wants to be (with) Heathcliff forever:

- “I only wish us never to be parted”- “I only wish us never to be parted”

Catherine wants escape from this world because Catherine wants escape from this world because she says that in the next one she would be she says that in the next one she would be “incomparably beyond” and “above” everyone “incomparably beyond” and “above” everyone else. else.

With destiny - TranscendenceWith destiny - Transcendence Catherine’s transforms into a much more Catherine’s transforms into a much more

“dignified” girl when she returns from a stay of 5 “dignified” girl when she returns from a stay of 5 weeks at Thrushcross Grange. This shows that she weeks at Thrushcross Grange. This shows that she has foregone her previous wild spirit. has foregone her previous wild spirit.

Nelly describes her during her illness as “there Nelly describes her during her illness as “there seemed unearthly beauty in her change. The flash seemed unearthly beauty in her change. The flash of her eyes had been succeeded by a dreamy and of her eyes had been succeeded by a dreamy and melancholy softness: they no longer gave the melancholy softness: they no longer gave the impression of looking at the objects around here; impression of looking at the objects around here; they appeared always to gaze beyond, and far they appeared always to gaze beyond, and far beyond – you would have said out of this world…beyond – you would have said out of this world…stamped her as one doomed to decay.stamped her as one doomed to decay.

Even though Catherine’s doom is obvious, in this Even though Catherine’s doom is obvious, in this state she feels that she is as close to achieving her state she feels that she is as close to achieving her final destination that she actually mocks Nelly with final destination that she actually mocks Nelly with the following words “I shall be sorry for the following words “I shall be sorry for youyou. I shall . I shall be incomparably beyond you and above you all.”be incomparably beyond you and above you all.”

With destiny – Self actualizationWith destiny – Self actualization In chapter 9, Catherine looks at her love for Edgar In chapter 9, Catherine looks at her love for Edgar

and Heathcliff with a wider perception:and Heathcliff with a wider perception: ““Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are

the same, and Linton’s is as different as a the same, and Linton’s is as different as a moonbeam from lightning, or frost from fire.”moonbeam from lightning, or frost from fire.”

““My great miseries in this world have been My great miseries in this world have been Heathcliff’s miseries, and I watched and felt each Heathcliff’s miseries, and I watched and felt each from the beginning; my great thought in living is from the beginning; my great thought in living is himself. If all else perished and himself. If all else perished and hehe remained, I remained, I should still continue to be; and if all else remained, should still continue to be; and if all else remained, and he were annihilated, the universe would turn and he were annihilated, the universe would turn to a mighty stranger. I should not seem part of it. to a mighty stranger. I should not seem part of it. My love for Linton is like a foliage in the woods. My love for Linton is like a foliage in the woods. Time will change it...My love for Heathcliff Time will change it...My love for Heathcliff resembles the eternal rocks beneath – a source of resembles the eternal rocks beneath – a source of little visible delight but necessary. Nelly I little visible delight but necessary. Nelly I amam Heathcliff ”Heathcliff ”

CHANGECHANGE When Catherine is given “fine clothes” and When Catherine is given “fine clothes” and

“flattery” she “readily” submits to the change and “flattery” she “readily” submits to the change and transforms into a much more “graceful” girl without transforms into a much more “graceful” girl without any hesitationany hesitation

When Catherine’s inner conflict arises when Edgar When Catherine’s inner conflict arises when Edgar asks her to marry her, her love for Heathcliff comes asks her to marry her, her love for Heathcliff comes in the way, but she submits to her aspirations for a in the way, but she submits to her aspirations for a higher social standing and marries Edgar.higher social standing and marries Edgar.

Concerning Heathcliff’s absence, when he returns Concerning Heathcliff’s absence, when he returns Catherine says: “The event of this evening has Catherine says: “The event of this evening has reconciled me to God and humanity. I had risen in reconciled me to God and humanity. I had risen in angry rebellion against Providence”angry rebellion against Providence”

However, when Heathcliff returns, she rebels However, when Heathcliff returns, she rebels against Edgar’s dislike for him and continues to against Edgar’s dislike for him and continues to keep up an association with him. On this starts a keep up an association with him. On this starts a moral conflict with Edgar moral conflict with Edgar

When Heathcliff returns, and Edgar does not approve When Heathcliff returns, and Edgar does not approve of him coming to Thrushcross Grange, Catherine of him coming to Thrushcross Grange, Catherine rebels against this and goes into wild states of rage rebels against this and goes into wild states of rage and delirium and decides to shut herself up in her and delirium and decides to shut herself up in her room:room:

- ““Well, if I cannot keep Heathcliff for my friend – if Well, if I cannot keep Heathcliff for my friend – if Edgar will be mean and jealous, I’ll try to break their Edgar will be mean and jealous, I’ll try to break their hearts by breaking my own.”hearts by breaking my own.”

- ““I’m in danger of being seriously ill…I want to I’m in danger of being seriously ill…I want to frightenfrighten him” him”

- ““your veins are full of ice-water, but mine are your veins are full of ice-water, but mine are boiling, and the sight of such chilliness makes them boiling, and the sight of such chilliness makes them dance.”dance.”

- “I don’t want you Edgar; I’m past wanting you…”- “I don’t want you Edgar; I’m past wanting you…”

Heathcliff tells her that she “betrayed her own Heathcliff tells her that she “betrayed her own heart”heart”

““I have not broken your heart …You have broken I have not broken your heart …You have broken it, and in breaking it, you have broken mine”it, and in breaking it, you have broken mine”

“…“…you loved me - then what you loved me - then what rightright had you to had you to leave me?.. - for the poor fancy you felt for leave me?.. - for the poor fancy you felt for Linton”Linton”

Contradictions:Contradictions: Catherine’s transformation into a graceful girl Catherine’s transformation into a graceful girl

after her stay at Thrushcross Grange is a after her stay at Thrushcross Grange is a contradiction against her wild spirit and nature. contradiction against her wild spirit and nature.

Catherine tells Nelly that she and Heathcliff are Catherine tells Nelly that she and Heathcliff are “inseparable” and yet she feels that it would “inseparable” and yet she feels that it would “degrade” her to marry Heathcliff “degrade” her to marry Heathcliff

Even though Catherine says that she loves Edgar, Even though Catherine says that she loves Edgar, her actions during her married life, contradict her. her actions during her married life, contradict her.

Catherine is unable to recognize her own self in a Catherine is unable to recognize her own self in a mirror and she appears very “weak” as she mirror and she appears very “weak” as she herself confesses, in her delirium, and this is a herself confesses, in her delirium, and this is a contradiction against her previous strong contradiction against her previous strong character.character.

Catherine blames Heathcliff and other factors for Catherine blames Heathcliff and other factors for their separation but actually it is she herself who their separation but actually it is she herself who is responsible for it “Because misery, or is responsible for it “Because misery, or degradation, and death, and nothing that God or degradation, and death, and nothing that God or satan inflicted, could have parted us, satan inflicted, could have parted us, youyou, of your , of your own will did it”own will did it”

Narrator’s Attitude:Narrator’s Attitude:

Nelly’s Nelly’s

Attitude/tone towards Attitude/tone towards

Catherine Earnshaw Linton Catherine Earnshaw Linton

When they are both children, Nelly perceives When they are both children, Nelly perceives Catherine to be too wild and high spirited and Catherine to be too wild and high spirited and rebellious:rebellious:

- “…Cathy, who was too - “…Cathy, who was too mischievousmischievous and and waywardwayward for a favourite.” for a favourite.”

- “…she put all of us past our patience fifty times - “…she put all of us past our patience fifty times and oftener in a day...her spirits were always at and oftener in a day...her spirits were always at high-water mark…high-water mark…wildwild, , wick slipwick slip she was…she she was…she meant no harm…”meant no harm…”

- “…“…she was she was defyingdefying us with her us with her bold, saucy bold, saucy looklook, and her , and her ready wordsready words…”…”

Nelly’s tone towards Catherine becomes negative Nelly’s tone towards Catherine becomes negative when Catherine returns changed, from when Catherine returns changed, from Thrushcross Grange after a stay of 5 weeks.Thrushcross Grange after a stay of 5 weeks.

- “she - “she dare hardly touch dare hardly touch them lest they should them lest they should fawn her splendid garments” fawn her splendid garments”

- “having a world of things to order for her new friends; she- “having a world of things to order for her new friends; shecame into the kitchen, once, to speak to her old one,…andcame into the kitchen, once, to speak to her old one,…andshe only stayed to ask what was the matter with him”she only stayed to ask what was the matter with him”- “- “pained pained to behold Catherine, with to behold Catherine, with dry eyesdry eyes and an and anindifferent airindifferent air…”…”- “how - “how lightlylightly she she dismissesdismisses her old playmate’s troubles. her old playmate’s troubles.

I could not have imagined her to be so I could not have imagined her to be so selfishselfish.”.”- “I did not call her - “I did not call her unfeelingunfeeling for long…” for long…”

Nelly seems impressed by Catherine’s nature and yet Nelly seems impressed by Catherine’s nature and yet she does not like the way Catherine turns out to be as she does not like the way Catherine turns out to be as they grow older:they grow older:

- “and she did turn out to be a - “and she did turn out to be a haughtyhaughty, , headstrongheadstrong creature. I own I did not like her…and I vexed her creature. I own I did not like her…and I vexed her frequently by trying to bring down her frequently by trying to bring down her arrogancearrogance””

- “her - “her ingeniousingenious cordiality…” cordiality…”- “for she was - “for she was full of ambitionfull of ambition – and led her to adopt – and led her to adopt

a a double characterdouble character without exactly intending to without exactly intending to deceive anyone”deceive anyone”

- “for when Linton expressed disgust and antipathy to - “for when Linton expressed disgust and antipathy to Heathcliff, she dared not treat his sentiments with Heathcliff, she dared not treat his sentiments with indifference indifference as if depreciation of her playmate as if depreciation of her playmate were of scarcely any consequence to herwere of scarcely any consequence to her””

Nelly adopts a counsellor’s (when she tells her Nelly adopts a counsellor’s (when she tells her confusion about marrying Edgar) attitude towards confusion about marrying Edgar) attitude towards Catherine even though she thinks her arrogance Catherine even though she thinks her arrogance should be brought down.should be brought down.

- ““I’ve had many a laugh at I’ve had many a laugh at her perplexitiesher perplexities and and untold troublesuntold troubles, which she vainly strove to hide , which she vainly strove to hide from my mockery…but she was from my mockery…but she was so proudso proud, it , it became really impossible to pity her distress…There became really impossible to pity her distress…There was not a soul else that she might fashion into an was not a soul else that she might fashion into an advisoradvisor” ”

- ““I’ve said I did not love her, and rather I’ve said I did not love her, and rather relishedrelished mortifying her mortifying her vanityvanity””

- ““No, she felt small trouble regarding any subject, No, she felt small trouble regarding any subject, save save her own concerns.her own concerns.””

- ““I was out of patience with her I was out of patience with her follyfolly!”!”- ““it only goes to convince me that you are either it only goes to convince me that you are either

ignorant ignorant of the duties you undertake in marrying; of the duties you undertake in marrying; or else that you are a or else that you are a wicked, unprincipledwicked, unprincipled girl.” girl.”

- ““sauciersaucier, and more , and more passionate passionate than ever than ever before…she ceased to hold any communication before…she ceased to hold any communication with me, save in the relation of a mere servant…with me, save in the relation of a mere servant…she might she might trampletrample usus like slaves for all he cared!” like slaves for all he cared!”

After Catherine becomes Mrs.Linton, Nelly still does After Catherine becomes Mrs.Linton, Nelly still does not like her at all, and feels annoyed at and sick of not like her at all, and feels annoyed at and sick of Catherine:Catherine:

- Nelly feels that Edgar and Isabella humour her - Nelly feels that Edgar and Isabella humour her wishes wishes

- ““she could not be called the she could not be called the opposite opposite (of Edgar),(of Edgar), yet she seemed to allow herself such yet she seemed to allow herself such wide wide latitudelatitude, that I had , that I had little faith in her little faith in her principlesprinciples, and , and still less sympathystill less sympathy for her for her feelings” feelings”

- “I did not wish to ‘frighten’ her husband, as she did, - “I did not wish to ‘frighten’ her husband, as she did, and multiply his annoyances for the purpose of and multiply his annoyances for the purpose of serving her serving her selfishnessselfishness””

- ““She rung the bell till it broke with a twang: She rung the bell till it broke with a twang: I I entered leisurelyentered leisurely. It was enough to try the . It was enough to try the temper of a saint, such temper of a saint, such senseless, wicked senseless, wicked ragesrages!” (Nelly does not relaize the seriousness of !” (Nelly does not relaize the seriousness of the situation and adopts a mocking tone towards the situation and adopts a mocking tone towards Catherine)Catherine)

Nelly thinks that Catherine is making up her illness Nelly thinks that Catherine is making up her illness and uses this as an opportunity to get back at and uses this as an opportunity to get back at Catherine. She taunts her Catherine. She taunts her

Eg. that Edgar is absorbed in his books while she is ill.Eg. that Edgar is absorbed in his books while she is ill.Eg. “Who is Eg. “Who is coward coward now?”now?”

- “…our - “…our fieryfiery Catherine was Catherine was no better than a no better than a wailing child!wailing child!””

- “Long enough to live on nothing but cold water - “Long enough to live on nothing but cold water and and ill-temperill-temper””

Nelly’s attitude to Catherine during her illness is Nelly’s attitude to Catherine during her illness is reflected in Edgar’s words to her:reflected in Edgar’s words to her:

““You knew your mistress’s nature and you You knew your mistress’s nature and you encouraged me to harrass her…It was encouraged me to harrass her…It was heartlessheartless! ! Months of sickness could not cause such a Months of sickness could not cause such a change”change”

Just before the time of Catherine’s death, Nelly Just before the time of Catherine’s death, Nelly feels that Catherine is doomed and her tone is feels that Catherine is doomed and her tone is not so harsh towards her at this time: not so harsh towards her at this time:

- “I know, and to any person who saw her…stamped - “I know, and to any person who saw her…stamped her as one her as one doomed to decaydoomed to decay””

- ““Well might Catherine deem that heaven would Well might Catherine deem that heaven would be land of exile to her, unless, with her mortal be land of exile to her, unless, with her mortal body, she cast away her mortal character also”body, she cast away her mortal character also”

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Nelly is not an omniscient narrator. She reports Nelly is not an omniscient narrator. She reports Catherine’s interior life only because Catherine Catherine’s interior life only because Catherine confides a lot of her feelings to Nelly as she has confides a lot of her feelings to Nelly as she has no one else to confide in. As Nelly has grown up no one else to confide in. As Nelly has grown up with Catherine, she has an idea of her nature and with Catherine, she has an idea of her nature and how Catherine responds to different situations how Catherine responds to different situations and considering Catherine’s environment, Nelly and considering Catherine’s environment, Nelly makes speculations about Catherine’s feelings makes speculations about Catherine’s feelings and presents her human-like judgement about and presents her human-like judgement about her. her.

Nelly’s attitude towards Catherine remains majorly Nelly’s attitude towards Catherine remains majorly negative throughout Catherine’s life.negative throughout Catherine’s life.

The narrator considers Catherine to be more of a The narrator considers Catherine to be more of a fool who is doomed and she also thinks that fool who is doomed and she also thinks that Catherine’s lack of moral values make her unfit for Catherine’s lack of moral values make her unfit for heaven. heaven.

Nelly is not a completely reliable narrator because Nelly is not a completely reliable narrator because her judgement is based on what she perceives, and her judgement is based on what she perceives, and since her attitude towards Catherine is rather since her attitude towards Catherine is rather biased, we cannot trust her judgements as they do biased, we cannot trust her judgements as they do not always reflect what goes on in Catherine’s life. not always reflect what goes on in Catherine’s life.

She does not really understand Catherine’s feelings She does not really understand Catherine’s feelings for Heathcliff properly or cannot empathize with her for Heathcliff properly or cannot empathize with her at this and this is why her comments about at this and this is why her comments about Catherine have a large amount of mockery and Catherine have a large amount of mockery and satire in them. satire in them.

It is ironic that when Catherine feels so strongly It is ironic that when Catherine feels so strongly about her confusion to marry Edgar and her love for about her confusion to marry Edgar and her love for Heathcliff “I was only going to say that heaven did Heathcliff “I was only going to say that heaven did not seem to be my home; and I broke my heart with not seem to be my home; and I broke my heart with weeping to come back to earth ; and the angels were weeping to come back to earth ; and the angels were so angry that they flung me out, into the middle of so angry that they flung me out, into the middle of the heath on the top of Wuthering Heights where I the heath on the top of Wuthering Heights where I woke, sobbing for joy...Nelly, I see now you think me woke, sobbing for joy...Nelly, I see now you think me a selfish wretch…”, Nelly is unable to empathize with a selfish wretch…”, Nelly is unable to empathize with her and considers her feelings “nonsense” her and considers her feelings “nonsense”

The irony here is that Nelly does not understand the The irony here is that Nelly does not understand the complexity of her delirium. Catherine herself says complexity of her delirium. Catherine herself says during her illness: I had no command of tongue, or during her illness: I had no command of tongue, or tongue, or brain…You may as well fancy an abyss tongue, or brain…You may as well fancy an abyss where I grovelled…where I grovelled…youyou have helped to unsettle me!” have helped to unsettle me!” while Nelly takes all this non seriously and thinks while Nelly takes all this non seriously and thinks Catherine is mad: “Perceiving it vain to argue against Catherine is mad: “Perceiving it vain to argue against her her insanityinsanity……

“ “she has been talking she has been talking nonsensenonsense the whole evening” the whole evening”