Catherine 's is so consumed by her love for Heathcliff, and the resulting distress, that she her mind is unable to function normally. After Heathcliff argues with Edgar, Catherine becomes profoundly ill and Nelly believes she "[is] delirious," as she is hallucinating and unable to form coherent thoughts (Bronte 125). The word "delirious" is typically utilized to describe a person suffering from an extremely distressed mental state and is often associated with those diagnosed with a mental illness. Bronte chooses to describe Catherine in this way to reveal the true severity of the damage done to her mind; Catherine is mentally devastated, not simply upset. After being separated from Heathcliff for a long time due to her illness, Catherine receives
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After Heathcliff and Edgar argue, Catherine "dash[es] her head" against the sofa and "grind[s] her teeth" as Edgar and Nelly watch in panic (Bronte 118). The verbs "dash" and "grind" have a violent connotation and are actions that inflict pain upon the person carrying them out. Bronte utilizes this scene to demonstrate that both Catherine 's mind and body are consumed by her passionate feelings towards Heathcliff to the extent that she is unable to control herself. Catherine 's immediate madness after this scene leaves the audience to wonder how Catherine 's health will progress over time. This question is soon answered, as Catherine 's health continues to decline and eventually she is on the brink of death. When Catherine speaks with Heathcliff for the last time, she directly blames him for her impending death when she tells him that he "[has] killed [her]" (Bronte 157). The verb "kill" is typically associated with violence and a direct physical action that results in death. While Heathcliff does not kill Catherine with a direct action, he causes her emotional and physical distress that violently "kills" her in the same manner as a direct action would. Bronte utilizes this statement to provide indisputable support for the idea that the passionate love Catherine shares with Heathcliff is the reason for her death. The audience now views Heathcliff and Catherine 's love with abhorrence, as they can clearly see the extreme negative effects it incurs through the physical manifestation of Catherine 's
After Heathcliff and Edgar argue, Catherine "dash[es] her head" against the sofa and "grind[s] her teeth" as Edgar and Nelly watch in panic (Bronte 118). The verbs "dash" and "grind" have a violent connotation and are actions that inflict pain upon the person carrying them out. Bronte utilizes this scene to demonstrate that both Catherine 's mind and body are consumed by her passionate feelings towards Heathcliff to the extent that she is unable to control herself. Catherine 's immediate madness after this scene leaves the audience to wonder how Catherine 's health will progress over time. This question is soon answered, as Catherine 's health continues to decline and eventually she is on the brink of death. When Catherine speaks with Heathcliff for the last time, she directly blames him for her impending death when she tells him that he "[has] killed [her]" (Bronte 157). The verb "kill" is typically associated with violence and a direct physical action that results in death. While Heathcliff does not kill Catherine with a direct action, he causes her emotional and physical distress that violently "kills" her in the same manner as a direct action would. Bronte utilizes this statement to provide indisputable support for the idea that the passionate love Catherine shares with Heathcliff is the reason for her death. The audience now views Heathcliff and Catherine 's love with abhorrence, as they can clearly see the extreme negative effects it incurs through the physical manifestation of Catherine 's