Chapter Chapter Summaries of Wuthering Heights - Study Guide by The Bronte Sisters

Chapter Eleven

The narrative breaks. Nelly confronts Lockwood with his attraction to Catherine, but he asserts that this feeling is futile. Taking up the story once more, she tells how a now dying Edgar begins corresponding with Linton to reassure himself of Cathy’s future security. Heathcliff controls his son’s part in this, keeping Linton’s own failing health a secret from the Grange – he wants the wedding to be arranged as soon as possible.

Chapter Twelve

Catherine and Nelly meet Linton on the moors and are horrified to see his deterioration. He asks her to keep this hidden from Edgar, a sentiment Nelly agrees to.

Chapter Thirteen

The following week, Catherine and Nelly meet Linton again. Heathcliff appears on the scene and tells Nelly that his only wish is for his son to survive Edgar. Persuaded to return to the Heights, Cathy and Nelly are taken captive – Heathcliff plans on marrying the cousins the next morning, an improvement in Linton betraying the boy’s part in the plan.

Chapter Fourteen

Nelly and Catherine are still being detained after five days during which the two cousins have been married. Nelly is allowed to return to the Grange, and tells Edgar of Heathcliff’s plans for revenge. While she sends people to rescue Catherine, Edgar attempts to change his will so that his property can be held in trust for his daughter. However the lawyer arrives too late, and Edgar dies with a dispossessed Catherine by his side. Afterwards Nelly tells us Heathcliff bribed the lawyer.

Chapter Fifteen

After the funeral Heathcliff demands that Catherine return to the Heights as he plans for the Grange to be let. He tells Nelly that he plans to be buried with Cathy, and describes how she has haunted him all this time. Nelly is left alone at Thrushcross Grange.

Chapter Sixteen

Cathy looks after the dying Linton. After his death, she refuses to come out of her room and rejects all offers of friendship from Hareton and Zillah. Nelly expresses little hope in Catherine’s future and finishes her narration here. The story has now been brought up to the present moment. Lockwood tells us he intends to give up his tenancy of the Grange in October.

Chapter Seventeen

Lockwood is our narrator once more. He takes a note from Nelly to Catherine on a visit to the Heights, but she rebuffs it, believing it is a love note from him. The girl scorns Hareton’s lack of learning, prompting him to throw his books on the fire. Heathcliff greets his guest amiably, and Lockwood tells him of his plans to leave.

Chapter Eighteen

We are told it is now 1802. Lockwood is back in the area again and decides to visit the Grange and the Heights. He peers in the window of Wuthering Heights and sees Catherine teaching a now-handsome Hareton how to read. Nelly greets Lockwood and tells him Heathcliff died three months earlier. She resumes the narration in order to relate the story of the young couple.

Chapter Nineteen