Summary
Chapter 20
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
Early next morning, Nelly must take Linton to Wuthering Heights. The boy is terrified—he knows nothing about his father except that his mother feared and hated him. Linton begs Nelly not to make him go, crying that he wants to stay with Catherine and Edgar. But there's no choice. During the ride, Linton trembles with fear, asking why his mother never mentioned his father, why they lived in exile. Nelly tries reassuring him, but knows she's delivering him to Heathcliff's clutches. At Wuthering Heights, they find it dilapidated and grim. Heathcliff greets them coldly, examining Linton with contempt—the boy is weak, whining, effeminate. Heathcliff sneers that Linton inherited all Isabella's worst qualities and none of his strength. Joseph mocks the boy cruelly. Hareton, now a degraded young man, stares at Linton with hostility. Heathcliff makes clear he despises his own son but will keep him for one reason: Linton is heir to both the Linton and Earnshaw estates through his mother. By controlling Linton, Heathcliff will eventually control everything. Linton realizes he's trapped. Nelly leaves him there, returning to lie to Catherine as instructed.
Coming Up in Chapter 21
Catherine's devastation at Linton's sudden disappearance will test her father's resolve, as her passionate tears and desperate questions reveal the depth of her attachment to her cousin.
Share it with friends
An excerpt from the original text.(~228 words)
To obviate the danger of this threat being fulfilled, Mr. Linton commissioned me to take the boy home early, on Catherine’s pony; and, said he—“As we shall now have no influence over his destiny, good or bad, you must say nothing of where he is gone to my daughter: she cannot associate with him hereafter, and it is better for her to remain in ignorance of his proximity; lest she should be restless, and anxious to visit the Heights. Merely tell her his father sent for him suddenly, and he has been obliged to leave us.” Linton was very reluctant to be roused from his bed at five o’clock, and astonished to be informed that he must prepare for further travelling; but I softened off the matter by stating that he was going to spend some time with his father, Mr. Heathcliff, who wished to see him so much, he did not like to defer the pleasure till he should recover from his late journey. “My father!” he cried, in strange perplexity. “Mamma never told me I had a father. Where does he live? I’d rather stay with uncle.” “He lives a little distance from the Grange,” I replied; “just beyond those hills: not so far, but you may walk over here when you get hearty. And you should be glad to go home, and to see him.
Master this chapter. Complete your experience
Purchase the complete book to access all chapters and support classic literature
As an Amazon Associate, we earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
Available in paperback, hardcover, and e-book formats
Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Control Pattern: How Power Shapes Family Stories
Using selective truth-telling to maintain power dynamics
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
Literature teaches you to spot when people use emotional language to hide their real motives
Practice This Today
Next time someone says they're doing something 'for your own good,' ask yourself: what are they protecting - you, or their own interests?
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
obviate
to prevent or eliminate a problem before it occurs
Modern Usage:
Like when your boss changes your schedule to obviate any conflicts with your second job
proximity
nearness in space or relationship
Modern Usage:
Your ex living in close proximity makes it harder to move on
defer
to postpone or delay something
Modern Usage:
Having to defer your vacation because you can't afford to take time off
Characters in This Chapter
Young Linton
Heathcliff's sickly son being transferred to his father
Represents children caught in adult power struggles
Modern Equivalent:
A kid shuttled between divorced parents who use him as a weapon
Edgar Linton
Catherine's father orchestrating the separation
Shows how 'protective' parents can be controlling
Modern Equivalent:
The parent who monitors their teen's social media and controls their friendships
Nelly Dean
The servant forced to lie and manipulate
Demonstrates how working people become complicit in class divisions
Modern Equivalent:
The employee who has to enforce unfair company policies they disagree with
Key Quotes & Analysis
"she cannot associate with him hereafter, and it is better for her to remain in ignorance of his proximity"
Context: Instructing servants to hide Linton's whereabouts from Catherine
Edgar uses his class privilege to control his daughter's relationships, believing ignorance will protect her from 'unsuitable' connections
In Today's Words:
Keep her away from that boy and don't tell her where he lives - what she doesn't know won't hurt her
"My father! he cried, in strange perplexity. Mamma never told me I had a father."
Context: Learning he must go live with Heathcliff
Shows how family secrets and class shame create confusion and trauma for children
In Today's Words:
Wait, I have a dad? Mom never mentioned him - where has he been all my life?
"Oh, all children love their parents"
Context: Trying to comfort Linton about meeting his unknown father
Nelly's hollow reassurance reveals how adults dismiss children's legitimate fears and concerns
In Today's Words:
Don't worry, you'll love him automatically because he's your dad - that's just how it works
Thematic Threads
Social Class Division
In This Chapter
Edgar physically separates children based on class concerns
Development
Class barriers become more rigid and enforced through deception
In Your Life:
Notice when people use 'protection' as an excuse to control your relationships or limit your opportunities
Family Manipulation
In This Chapter
Adults lie to children 'for their own good'
Development
Well-meaning deception creates confusion and prevents healthy relationships
In Your Life:
Question when authority figures withhold information 'to protect you' - ask what they're really protecting
Powerlessness of Children
In This Chapter
Linton has no choice in where he lives or who he sees
Development
Children become pawns in adult conflicts and class struggles
In Your Life:
Recognize how childhood powerlessness affects your adult relationships and decision-making patterns
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
Is Edgar Linton protecting Catherine or controlling her by hiding Linton's location?
moral_reasoning • Consider when 'protection' becomes manipulation and who really benefits from the secrecy - 2
How might this separation affect both children's ability to form healthy relationships as adults?
psychological_analysis • Explore how childhood experiences of forced separation and deception shape adult attachment styles - 3
What would you do if you were Nelly Dean - follow orders or tell the truth?
ethical_dilemma • Examine the moral complexity of being caught between loyalty to employers and doing what's right for children - 4
How do modern custody battles reflect the same class and power dynamics shown in this chapter?
contemporary_connection • Connect 19th-century class struggles to current legal and social systems that favor wealth in family disputes
Critical Thinking Exercise
Decoding 'Protective' Language
Think of a time when someone in authority (parent, boss, teacher) withheld information from you 'for your own good.' Write about what they said, what they didn't say, and what you later discovered.
Consider:
- •What was the person really trying to protect?
- •How did the lack of information affect your choices?
- •What would have changed if you'd known the truth?
- •How did this experience shape your trust in authority?
Journaling Prompt
When have you used 'protection' as a reason to control information in your own relationships? What were you really protecting?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 21
As the story unfolds, you'll explore toxic family dynamics affect children's development, while uncovering the psychological impact of isolation and neglect. These lessons connect the classic to contemporary challenges we all face.