Wuthering Heights Contents
- Social / political context
- Educational context
- Religious / philosophical context of Wuthering Heights
- Literary context of Wuthering Heights
- Chapter 1
- Chapter 2
- Chapter 3
- Chapter 4
- Chapter 5
- Chapter 6
- Chapter 7
- Chapter 8
- Chapter 9
- Chapter 10
- Chapter 11
- Chapter 12
- Chapter 13
- Chapter 14
- Chapter 15
- Chapter 16
- Chapter 17
- Chapter 18
- Chapter 19
- Chapter 20
- Chapter 21
- Chapter 22
- Chapter 23
- Chapter 24
- Chapter 25
- Chapter 26
- Chapter 27
- Chapter 28
- Chapter 29
- Chapter 30
- Chapter 31
- Chapter 32
- Chapter 33
- Chapter 34
Chapter 29
Synopsis
Narrator: Nelly.
The following evening, Heathcliff arrives at Thrushcross Grange. He will take Cathy to Wuthering Heights and let out the Grange. He tells Nelly of his ‘haunting’ by Catherine. Nelly is told not to visit Cathy at Wuthering Heights.
Commentary
The main interest in this chapter is Heathcliff’s story of breaking open Catherine’s coffin. He had tried before, after her funeral, but was prevented by feeling her presence, a presence which he has felt many times since. This ties up with Lockwood’s experience when staying in Catherine’s old room and Heathcliff’s reaction. Now he has beheld her body again and this has brought him some relief. He wants to be buried beside her, with the coffin sides removed so that they can be together. This has brought him more fulfilment than all his revenge plans, it seems. Here we have the most obviously Gothic episode since Chapter 3.
It was the same room…: another example of echoes across time; the surroundings have not changed, but so much else is different.
Where would you go?: Cathy is now trapped not by doors and locks, but by circumstances and the way in which society regards women.
He’s such a cobweb: he is so frail and weak.
my presence is as potent on his nerves as a ghost: Heathcliff applies psychological torture to his son – as he himself feels he has been subjected to by Catherine.
Linton is all I have to love in the world: Cathy will hold on to what love she can, however undeserving Linton is. Her determination to base her life on love, rather than on hatred like Heathcliff, makes her strong and able to provide hope at the end of the novel.
I know he has a bad nature…: this speech by Cathy is important in understanding the moral basis of the novel. She speaks of forgiveness and the power of love, and contrasts this with Heathcliff whose lack of love leads to misery. The knowledge of this provides a kind of revenge which Heathcliff cannot achieve. It is interesting that Heathcliff goes on to describe his less orthodox behaviour immediately after this.
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Lonely, like the devil, and envious like him: Emily Brontë was familiar with the classic epic poem, Paradise Lost, by John Milton, which paints a vivid picture of the envy and isolation of Satan following his rebellion and exclusion from heaven. For all the criticism of Brontë’s theology, the phrase ‘Lonely, like the devil’ provides a clear expression of how Christians would see the embodiment of evil: lonely because the devil has rendered himself incapable of love.
loose earth was the sole barrier: the two symbolic images of earth and barriers are combined. (See Imagery and symbolism > The four elements; Windows, doors, gates and locks.)
I ought to have sweat blood then, from the anguish of my yearning - from the fervour of my supplications: Heathcliff’s desperation is again linked to that of Jesus (see Chapter 17) as he foresaw his suffering and death:
And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. (Luke 22:44)
conscience was playing the fiend inside of me: according to Christian tradition, fiends (demons) were servants of the devil sent to torment people.
His eyes were fixed on the red embers of the fire: the symbol of fire suggesting strong passion is brought out in this image.
Investigating Chapter 29
- Cathy challenges Heathcliff with ideas about love and hatred. What effect does this outburst have on the reader?
- What effect do you think it has on Heathcliff?
- Is this the point at which Heathcliff gives up on his plans and on life itself?
- Heathcliff talks of Catherine having ‘disturbed’ him for years, causing him endless torment. Would you, therefore, describe his feelings for her as ‘love’?
- Are there other strong emotions involved?
- English Standard Version
- King James Version
1Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called the Passover. 2And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to put him to death, for they feared the people. 3Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. 4He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. 5And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. 6So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd. 7Then came the day of Unleavened Bread, on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. 8So Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat it. 9They said to him, Where will you have us prepare it? 10He said to them, Behold, when you have entered the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him into the house that he enters 11and tell the master of the house, The Teacher says to you, Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples? 12And he will show you a large upper room furnished; prepare it there. 13And they went and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover. 14And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles with him. 15And he said to them, I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God. 17And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves. 18For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes. 19And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me. 20And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. 21But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table. 22For the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed! 23And they began to question one another, which of them it could be who was going to do this. 24A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. 25And he said to them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. 26But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. 27For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves. 28You are those who have stayed with me in my trials, 29and I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom, 30that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 31Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, 32but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers. 33Peter said to him, Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death. 34Jesus said, I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me. 35And he said to them, When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything? They said, Nothing. 36He said to them, But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one. 37For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: And he was numbered with the transgressors. For what is written about me has its fulfillment. 38And they said, Look, Lord, here are two swords. And he said to them, It is enough. 39And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. 40And when he came to the place, he said to them, Pray that you may not enter into temptation. 41And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed, 42saying, Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done. 43And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. 44And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. 45And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, 46and he said to them, Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation. 47While he was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him, 48but Jesus said to him, Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss? 49And when those who were around him saw what would follow, they said, Lord, shall we strike with the sword? 50And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. 51But Jesus said, No more of this! And he touched his ear and healed him. 52Then Jesus said to the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders, who had come out against him, Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs? 53When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness. 54Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest's house, and Peter was following at a distance. 55And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. 56Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, This man also was with him. 57But he denied it, saying, Woman, I do not know him. 58And a little later someone else saw him and said, You also are one of them. But Peter said, Man, I am not. 59And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean. 60But Peter said, Man, I do not know what you are talking about. And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times. 62And he went out and wept bitterly. 63Now the men who were holding Jesus in custody were mocking him as they beat him. 64They also blindfolded him and kept asking him, Prophesy! Who is it that struck you? 65And they said many other things against him, blaspheming him. 66When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people gathered together, both chief priests and scribes. And they led him away to their council, and they said, 67If you are the Christ, tell us. But he said to them, If I tell you, you will not believe, 68and if I ask you, you will not answer. 69But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God. 70So they all said, Are you the Son of God, then? And he said to them, You say that I am. 71Then they said, What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips.
1Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover. 2And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people. 3Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. 4And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them. 5And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money. 6And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude. 7Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed. 8And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat. 9And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare? 10And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in. 11And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples? 12And he shall shew you a large upper room furnished: there make ready. 13And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover. 14And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him. 15And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: 16For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. 17And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: 18For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come. 19And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. 20Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you. 21But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table. 22And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed! 23And they began to enquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing. 24And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest. 25And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. 26But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. 27For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth. 28Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. 29And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; 30That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 31And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. 33And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death. 34And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me. 35And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing. 36Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. 37For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end. 38And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough. 39And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him. 40And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation. 41And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, 42Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. 43And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. 44And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. 45And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow, 46And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. 47And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him. 48But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss? 49When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword? 50And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear. 51And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him. 52Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves? 53When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness. 54Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest's house. And Peter followed afar off. 55And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them. 56But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him. 57And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not. 58And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not. 59And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilaean. 60And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew. 61And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. 62And Peter went out, and wept bitterly. 63And the men that held Jesus mocked him, and smote him. 64And when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote thee? 65And many other things blasphemously spake they against him. 66And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the chief priests and the scribes came together, and led him into their council, saying, 67Art thou the Christ? tell us. And he said unto them, If I tell you, ye will not believe: 68And if I also ask you, ye will not answer me, nor let me go. 69Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God. 70Then said they all, Art thou then the Son of God? And he said unto them, Ye say that I am. 71And they said, What need we any further witness? for we ourselves have heard of his own mouth.
1. A style of fiction evoking mystery and terror. 2. Connected with or characteristic of the Middle Ages. 3. Style of architecture current in Western Europe from the 12th century to the 16th century, characterised by the pointed arch. 4. Relating to
The devil; the term 'Satan' actually means 'Enemy' and is often used to refer to the force of evil in the world.
In many religions, the place where God dwells, and to which believers aspire after their death. Sometimes known as Paradise.
Name originally given to disciples of Jesus by outsiders and gradually adopted by the Early Church.
The opposite of goodness; thoughts and actions which are in opposition to God's will and result in wrongdoing and harm. That which opposes God.
Also known as Satan or Lucifer, the Bible depicts him as the chief of the fallen angels and demons, the arch enemy of God who mounts a significant, but ultimately futile, challenge to God's authority.
The name given to the man believed by Christians to be the Son of God. Also given the title Christ, meaning 'anointed one' or Messiah. His life is recorded most fully in the Four Gospels.
A devil, a wicked person; reference to Satan.
An evil spiritual force, also known as a devil, which opposes God and seeks to separate human beings from him. In the Gospels and Acts they are portrayed as inhabiting or oppressing individuals.
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