Wuthering Heights, Chapter 21 summary
Chapter 21 of 34 · 27 min to read the chapter
In Chapter 21, Cathy meets Linton again on her sixteenth birthday, while Heathcliff tells Ellen that he intends the cousins to marry and secure his property claims. Edgar forbids contact with the Heights, but Cathy secretly exchanges letters with Linton until Ellen discovers them, burns them, and stops their delivery.
What happens
- Reports from the Heights describe Linton’s poor health, demanding habits, and isolation before Cathy reaches sixteen.
- Cathy’s birthday walk brings her to Heathcliff, who invites her home and privately reveals his marriage plan to Ellen.
- Cathy reunites affectionately with Linton, and they mock Hareton’s inability to read while Heathcliff boasts about degrading him.
- Edgar explains Heathcliff’s cruelty and forbids contact, but Cathy secretly begins exchanging letters with Linton through a milk boy.
- Ellen discovers the correspondence, burns the letters after extracting Cathy’s promise to stop, and tells Linton to send no more.
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In this chapter
What to notice
Heathcliff states his plan directly to Ellen. His concern with inheritance gives the affectionate reunion a purpose Cathy does not understand.
Quick check
How does Cathy secretly exchange letters with Linton?
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