Wuthering Heights Study Guide

Wuthering Heights Study Guide: Important Scenes and Quotes

Nelly and Catherine’s Conversation- Chapter 9

 Why does Catherine love Edgar?

 “because he is handsome and pleasant to be with… he is young and cheerful… because he loves me… he will be rich, and I shall like to be the greatest woman of the neighborhood, and I shall be proud of having such a husband.”

 “You love Mr. Edgar, because he is handsome, and young, and cheerful, and rich, and loves you.” pg. 61

 Shows Catherine’s choice of social status over love

 She says that she couldn’t marry Heathcliff because he is too poor and rough, but that her heart really belongs to him

 Heathcliff overhears the first part of this, but not the second, and runs away from Wu Heights

 This begins the disappearance of Heathcliff

Applesauce Scene- Chapter 7, pg. 45

 Heathcliff tries to impress Catherine

 “They are long enough already,” observed Master Linton, peeping from the door-way; “I wonder they don’t make his head ache. It’s like a colt’s mane over his eyes!”

 Heathcliff throws applesauce at Edgar

Lockwood’s Dream- Chapter 3, pg. 20

 Lockwood is shown to a room to sleep which used to belong to Cathy’s mother. He has a restless night and is apparently woken by a tree branch tapping on the window. As he reaches out to stop it, his wrist is grasped by a cold hand, the ghost of Catherine. He wakes and rouses Heathcliff. Unable to sleep, he moves downstairs until Heathcliff escorts him back to Thrushcross Grange.

 “I’ve been waiting 20 years.” (a punishment for her mortal transgressions)  “He got on to the bed and wrenched open the lattice, bursting, as he pulled at it, into an uncontrollable passion of tears.”

 “Come in! Come in!” he sobbed. “Cathy, do come. Oh do- once more! Oh! My heart’s darling, hear me this time- Catherine, at last!”

Pitbull Scene (Turning Point)- Chapter 6

 Hindley returns to Wu Heights with his new wife. Catherine and Heathcliff grow more rebellious- escaping to Thruschcross Grange, laughing at the Linton children- “I’d not exchange, for a thousand lives my condition here”

 “Run Heathcliff, run! They have let the bulldog loose… he holds me!”

 This injury causes Catherine to recuperate at Thrushcross Grange and makes her progression in character as becoming a lady, and also transformation of Heathcliff’s character. pg. 39

Heathcliff’s Death- Chapter 34

 Heathcliff grows worse, roaming the moors, not eating or sleeping. He sees Catherine everywhere he looks, but is strangely happy.

 “I peeped in and Mr. Heathcliff was there- laid on his back. His eyes met mine so keen and fierce, I started; and then he seemed to smile.”

 “I combed his black long hair from his forehead; I tried to close his eyes to extinguish, if possible, that frightful, life-like gaze of exultation, before anyone else beheld it. They would not shut; they seemed to sheer too!”