Welcome to Wuthering Heights Wednesday! Softdrink is hosting a read-along of this classic novel, and we’re reading (and posting about) 3 chapters a week.
Volume II, Chapters 8-10
My Synopsis:
The wretchedness continues!
This week’s reading is all about Cathy and Linton. As you may recall from last week, Cathy and Linton were caught writing letters to each other. LOVE letters which Mrs. Dean quickly put an end to. In case you forgot, Cathy and Linton are cousins. However, when Cathy runs into Heathcliff (yet again), Heathcliff lays a guilt trip on her. He tells her that Linton’s health has taken a turn and that he has one foot in the grave. Why? All because Cathy stopped writing her letters. Apparently Linton is just “sick” over it.
Cathy, in her bubble-headed way, insists that she visit poor Linton and although Mrs. Dean does not agree, she wants to prove to Cathy that Linton is just fine and that this is all a bunch of nonsense, so off they go for a brief visit. Except, that when they visit, Linton IS in poor spirits and DOES appear to be sickly (afterall, he was born that way). At first, he seems to perk up a bit at the sight of Cathy but then they argue over whose dad is best… “my dad, no MY dad!” and then Linton falls out of the chair, upon the hearth and writhes like a child trying to get out of a high chair!
Cathy, bubble-head that she is (did I say that twice?) falls for it and promises to visit when she can. Mrs. Dean sweeps Cathy away, and then promptly falls ill for three weeks, which gives Cathy plenty of time to sneak off and visit the wretch. What’s interesting here is that Cathy wants to love Linton like a brother so he can live with her always. Linton wants to love her like a wife, but Cathy claims that sometimes husbands hate their wives. How profound, and coming out of Cathy’s mouth no less!
When dear Papa finds out about Cathy’s little adventure, he puts a stop to her visits which sends her into despair. What will Linton think? Will he fall ill? Will he throw himself upon the hearth and die from heartbreak?
My Thoughts:
In previous chapters I felt sorry for Linton but he’s a sniveling little twerp and deserves no pity. He whines and whines about his predicament, so much so that Joseph and Hareton (remember them?) completely ignore him. Trust me, if he were in my house I’d ignore him too.
I love how Cathy is the epitome of youthful exuberance and how Linton is just a puny little wretch. Such opposites. I wondered how Cathy could even find happiness in being around him but she says it best, she thinks of him as her “little pet.” Isn’t that enough to make you want to gag?
Reading along:
Book Chatter 