Kyle Jones
Wuthering Heights: Novel Experts Chapter 16
Summary of Key Events
At this stage within Wuthering Heights Nelly’s story telling has almost reached the
present. Linton is dying and Heathcliff is refusing to call for a doctor, Catherine is
distraught when her husband Linton finally dies who has left everything in his will to
Heathcliff, this being his plan along to take revenge on his past. Hareton tries to
make amends with Cathy and kindly asks her to read to him and help teach him
because of him being incapable himself and therefore illiterate.
Significant Developments in Characters & Relationships
Chapter 16 is a key event within the novel as a result of Linton’s death. This allows
other characters to be brought into the limelight and therefore is a stepping stone to
further their development. This is certain in Hareton’s case when he is feeling sorry
for Catherine’s loss so he tries to befriend her and asks her to teach him to read. This
is significant because its gives the reader a glimpse of these two characters as a pair
and even though Bronte has hinted it before in the novel it seems possible now
because of the absence of Linton.
Catherine’s character also develops quite considerably in this chapter through her
reaction to Linton’s death. These two characters develop a significant bond though
the course of the novel with Catherine visiting Linton at “The Heights” and also the
sending of letters to one another. Catherine’s character is like that of her mothers
and so when we see her reaction to the death of Linton we see another side to her
character as she begins to rebel against Heathcliff showing the boldness of her
mother.
Significant Development of Themes
There are many different themes within Wuthering Heights and one that is present
throughout and especially within Chapter 16 is Revenge. Revenge is exacted on in
many different ways throughout the novel however it usually unleashed upon the
more innocent character rather than the perpetrator, and this is true through
Heathcliff’s treatment of Linton which causes his death in chapter 16 and also in
other parts such as his treatment of Isabella “Id leave her black and blue…. Deceive
his sister”. Heathcliff uses other characters in the novel to exact his revenge upon
those that did him wrong.
Summed Up
Chapter 16 is a key event within Wuthering Heights as a result of the death of Linton.
This brings out aspects of characters that we have not seen before through their
reaction to his death, and gives further depth to the novel. It also brings up recurring
themes that have been present throughout and develops them further just as the
characters are still developing. This is effective because just when the reader thinks
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they know the character Bronte throws in yet more depth and emotion into the
characters and the novel as a whole.