In the opening of the novel, there is no proper background information as to where Heathcliff came from, this adds a certain mystery to his character and makes it harder to fully analyse his background. Heathcliff’s mysterious character is then furthered when he vanishes for three years. We are given no information as to his whereabouts and his doings during this time.
Heathcliff, who seemed an almost superhuman figure even at his most oppressed, emerges in chapter 10 as a demonically, charismatic, powerful and villainous man, capable of extreme cruelties.
He is presented as completely tortured by his love for Cathy and by his sense that she has betrayed him. The hatred from the Linton family and Hindley all accumulate to Heathcliff’s plan of revenge. His elaborate plan for revenge occupies much of the rest of the novel.
As he had spent this time away, it would be expected that after three years, being a fully-grown, rational adult, he would have had ample time to forgive Cathy. We are shown him leaving after hearing Cathy, his “beloved,” saying to Nelly that to marry Heathcliff now would be “degrading.” It would seem that given the amount of time he spent away, he would have moved on with his life, just as she had. However, from his return, it is clear to see that he still feels the same way as he did about her before he left.
His three reasons for returning home are elaborated in this chapter. Firstly, he wishes to see Cathy again. He left thinking he was rejected as he only heard part of her speech to Nelly. He now has a drastic change in his physical appearance and his attitude; he wants and wishes for Cathy to see him and how he has changed. He wants her to recognise what he can be and most importantly what she could have had.
His second reason for returning is also revealed. He wants revenge on Edgar Linton, the one that had “stolen” the one he doted on for so long. Then finally his third reason was revealed; after seeing Cathy and succeeding in getting his revenge on everyone, he was going to kill himself.
Bronte shows by the use of her language that perhaps Cathy and Edgar’s relationship is not perfect, and that maybe Edgar loves Cathy much more than she loves him. She also shows how much Heathcliff has changed physically.
The atmosphere around him when he arrives at Thrushcross Grange suits his character very well giving his return a gothic feel. Nelly narrates,
“Something stirred in the porch; and moving nearer I distinguished a tall man dressed in dark clothes… “
Mystery is created, suspense is being built up as to who this character is and as to what they want from Nelly. Nelly describes Heathcliff’s features,
“A ray fell on his features; the cheeks were sallow and half covered with black whiskers; the brows lowering, they eyes deep set and singular. I remembered the eyes.”
By Nelly narrating here and describing the man before her, we are reminded of how he was first described, in particular his eyes in Chapter one,
“His black eyes withdraw so suspiciously under their brows..”
The use of words that Bronte uses help show a significance to Edgar,
“Glittering moons..”
This relates to Edgar, the moon has been personified, as it is symbolic of him. It allows Heathcliff to see the barrier between him and Cathy, there is “no light within.” Once again, the imagery around helps to show the situation. The build up of imagery until Nelly finally realises it is Heathcliff is very important, it remind us that Thrushcross Grange is shadowed by Wuthering Heights. This reminds us of when Cathy first moved to Thrushcross Grange and Heathcliff looked at her through the window. It shows how they were separated, just like they are now when he is asking Nelly to tell her someone is there for her.
It is interesting that Bronte does not actually include the moment that Cathy and Heathcliff first see each other again. She has clearly been waiting for him to return, and is delighted that he is presently stood outside her home.
We are not told of their meeting, maybe to leave it up to our imagination. It certainly keeps the intimacy but suggests by the language used after Cathy comes back inside that they are more than just good friends. Bronte writes,
“ Catherine flew up the stairs, breathless and wild, too excited to show gladness..”
There is no need for explicit language, the suggestions of their meeting suggests that it was beyond words.
Naturally, Cathy is excited about seeing him, however her husband does not seem to share this excitement. She says to Edgar,
“ Oh Edgar darling! Heathcliff’s come back- he is!”
She is so thrilled that she flings her arms around her husband prompting him to say,
“ Well, well, don’t strangle me for that!”
Her “flushed cheeks” show just how excited she is, she sits opposite to him and finds herself looking at him,
“He took a seat opposite Catherine, who kept her gaze fixed on him as if she feared he would move if she were to remove it.”
Despite her husband being sat in the same room, she doesn’t seem to care that much; she is much more focused on Heathcliff. In the light now, he looks much more charismatic and more defined, he does not look degraded anymore.
