Chapter 15 is the climax of the whole story. Here Heathcliff went inside Thrushcross Grange to converse with the ill Catherine. Their meeting was bittersweet. Catherine accused Heathcliff of having killed her. In here, we see that the intense love between Heathcliff and Catherine are not based on the happy moments or pleasure. She managed to tear some of Heathcliff's hair and he left some bruises in her arms. Love for them is like madness. Their dire need and obsession of each other is what keeps them alive and whole.
Catherine eventually died hours after she gave birth to a daughter also named Catherine known as Cathy. Nelly wished for the child to be a boy but as it is, Isabella becomes the direct heir of Thrushcross Grange.
Later on, Isabella runs away from Wuthering Heights. Hindley dies. Hareton is treated as a common servant, the same treatmest Hindley did to Heathcliff when Hindley was master of Wuthering Heights. Hareton was uneducated and rude. He was Heathcliff all over again. Young Catherine, commonly known as Cathy, grew up to be a blooming young woman. She was her mother all over again though the influence of Edgar Linton was quite instilled to her. She was not as wild as her mother but was as haughty, insensitive and curious.
Isabella died and left with her a son named Linton Heathcliff. He was a sickly and effeminate boy and was to be taken care of his uncle Edgar Linton. However, Heathcliff took him being the legal guardian. He hated his son because of his being a weakling.
Here we see Heathcliff in action as he schemes to take over Thrushcross Grange. Edgar eventually died and Heathcliff eventually managed to force his son Linton into marrying his cousin Cathy. Linton dies not long after the marriage.
Heathcliff managed to be master of both Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange.
Heathcliff and Catherine didn't grow up. Time for them, is nothing. Their ideals and feelings are the same; wild, free and true. They have shown a different kind of love, different from love that is derived from happiness and pleasure. The two of them are mad! They are the craziest characters in the novel, crazier than Joseph.
III-Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange
The novel's features two prominent houses, Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange. Wuthering Heights is the mansion where the Earnshaws live. The Lintons are those who reside in Thrushcross Grange.
Both houses are representatives of their tenants. Wuthering Heights is derived from the local word "wuther" which more or less means tempestuous weather. The name of the place gives a very significant impact to the novel. The people within the place were raised in a way that's quite disturbing in a sense.
The first clue of the oddness of the household in Wuthering Heights is the adoption of Heathcliff by Mr. Earnshaw. In addition, he favors Heathcliff more than his own children. It was apparent from the start that Mr. Earnshaw had a good heart but his feelings towards his family and with Heathcliff is questionable. Because of the sullen personality of Mrs. Earnshaw, I can actually speculate and assume that Heathcliff is Mr. Earnshaw's real son. Though it was not formally revealed in the story nor was elaborated by Brontё, it is much likely that they are father and son. That would explain his fondness to the boy. But that's my speculation.
Heathcliff, of course, the main character is a sinister and dark figure that contributes a lot in the mystery of Wuthering Heights. Hindley and Catherine's being spoiled children is also a factor that makes the household problematic. The servant Joseph is also a prominent character of religious and self-righteousness. Except for Ellen Dean, I would really have to conclude that everyone in Wuthering Heights is eccentric.
Thrushcross Grange, on the other hand, is the exact opposite of Wuthering Heights. The clash between the residents of the two houses actually heightens the passion of the story. Of course, Thrushcross Grange is as important as Wuthering Heights despite the fact that the two main characters, Heathcliff and Catherine, are from the other house.
Named after a bird, the "thrush", Thrushcross Grange also exhibits its own pleasant effect to the reader. The Linton family is one of the most prominent families in that area. They are well-respected by the community and they are known for their being genteel and refined.
Edgar and Isabella, children to Mr. and Mrs. Linton, are exact opposites of Heathcliff and Catherine. They are civilized and refined. The family is a perfect embodiment of society in the novel. Everything about them is quite goodly and sophisticated. It is evident that Hindley when he was master of Wuthering Heights, he was pleased to establish a relationship with the Lintons.
