Chapter 19

Synopsis

Narrator: Nelly. 

Isabella’s death is announced. Edgar returns, bringing Linton with him. Joseph arrives to take Linton to Wuthering Heights to live with his father, Heathcliff. For now, Joseph is sent away.

Commentary

Linton arrives, allowing Heathcliff to pursue his revenge plans. Despite Linton’s weakness, Cathy shows her kindness by caring for him.

A letter edged with black: used during a time of mourning, the border growing narrower as time passed. 

Her ‘real’ cousin: the arrival of Linton is built up and when he arrives he is certainly very different to Hareton. Even from the start, Nelly says he has ‘a sickly peevishness’ though we wonder if this is with hindsight. For Cathy, anyone of her age is better than no-one!

donned in his Sunday garments: Many people had only working clothes and one smart outfit, which they would wear to church on Sunday to show respect.

His most sanctimonious and sourest face: Joseph enjoys judging and testing people, missing entirely the loving side of the Christian faith. Did Emily Brontë know people like this in her father’s church? Some of the more unorthodox views expressed in the novel seem more attractive and persuasive in comparison with Joseph’s version of religion.

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