Summary
Three years after Heathcliff's departure, six months after the marriage, Heathcliff arrives at Thrushcross Grange, now improved in physique and manner. He is staying with Hindley at Wuthering Heights and taking advantage of his alcoholism and gambling. Isabella falls in love with Heathcliff and is teased by Catherine. However, Hearing of her crush, Heathcliff describes the pleasure he would take in decorating her face with bruises. But the fact that she is her brother's heir is enticing to him. Nelly Dean walks to Wuthering Heights to see Hindley but she meets Hareton at the gate who has become coarse and foul-mouthed resulting him to be a pure product of his environment. Heathcliff goes to Thrushcross Grange and begins making the moves on Isabella. He tells Catherine that she has no right to object and that she has treated him just like a dog. Nothing will get in the way of revenge against all who have degraded him, though he assures Catherine, 'I seek no revenge on you'. Catherine later on gets sick from fever and delirium, leaving her in a confused state,which makes her recall her childhood – the oak-panelled bed, the wild adventures on the moors, and her love of Heathcliff. With everyone's mind on the current dilemma, they are oblivious that Isabella has eloped with Heathcliff.
Catherine's brain fever worsens, but under Edgar's close care, she recovers. Then she has a baby. Just to make matters even more perplexing for the reader, they name the baby Catherine. Meanwhile Isabella has sent a letter to Edgar announcing her marriage to Heathcliff. He doesn't reply. So she then sends a letter to Nelly announcing that she is living up at the Heights. She also has a few choice words about her new residence and her spouse. Isabella briefly takes over the narrative, as she tells Nelly in the letter that she basically thinks Heathcliff is the devil. The house is a dump and Hareton is a delinquent Joseph is still a ranting, cursing crank and Hindley is a ghost of his former self, having been worn down by his own issues and the vengeful abuse of his roommate/semi-brother Heathcliff. Hindley shows Isabella his gun and warns her to lock her bedroom door because he is planning to murder Heathcliff. Hindley's confessions reveal that he has lost a heap of money and is now in Heathcliff's debt. Heathcliff would kill him or kick him out, but he wants his money back.
Isabella spends the night sleeping in a chair in Hareton's room. Heathcliff comes looking for her in the middle of the night. He tells her Catherine is sick and that it is her brother's fault. Heathcliff also tells her that until he can get to Edgar, he will make Isabella suffer in his place.She closes the letter, and her narration, by begging Nelly to send help. Back to the narrative voice of Nelly. Edgar tells Nelly he will have nothing to do with Isabella now that she has married 'the villain'. Nelly decides to go up to the Heights herself to check on Isabella. Nelly tells Isabella that Edgar will not be contacting her. She tells Heathcliff that Catherine is recovering from her illness and that he should let her be. He, of course, won't stand for that, and Nelly warns him, 'Another encounter between you and the master would kill her altogether'. Heathcliff wants to see Catherine again and refuses to let Nelly leave until she agrees to act as mediator.
Heathcliff marches right into Catherine's room, declaring, 'Oh, Cathy! Oh, my life! how can I bear it?'.
Catherine rebukes him for his actions, saying he is killing her and wishes they were both dead. He grips her until he leaves bruises on her skin, assuring her that he is tortured too. Catherine declares that life is a prison, that she wants to die and take Heathcliff with her. Lots of hugging, kissing, and crying takes place as Heathcliff demands to know why Catherine betrayed him, and her heart, by marrying Edgar. Edgar returns but, with Cathy very ill, he is more concerned with her than his enemy.
Analysis
- Themes of social class: Heathcliff has changed dramatically in three years. Nelly describes his "transformation" into a "tall, athletic, well-formed man […with] upright carriage" and look of intelligence with "no marks of former degradation"
- Catherines views on Heathcliff contradicts what she said prior, "an unreclaimed creature, without refinement, without cultivation [. . .]" the mentioning of 'creature' shows that him being poor and no background really affected her.
- Love: "Oh, Cathy! Oh, my life! how can I bear it?"
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