Chapter 9 of 'Wuthering Heights' has often been described as the pivotal chapter of the text- Explain the importance of this chapter (events, themes, quotations).

Chapter 9 could be seen as the pivotal chapter in Wuthering Heights as it plays a significant part in the overall plot of the novel. In chapter 9 Catherine speaks to Nelly. Believing they are alone, Catherine explains to Nelly that she is engaged to Edgar Linton and that she couldn’t marry Heathcliff due to the fact he would degrade her and he wouldn’t be able to financially provide for her: he is rough and poor, Cathy states "It would degrade me to marry Heathcliff". Catherine decided to marry Linton due to his wealth and high social class "he will be rich, and I shall like to be the greatest woman of the neighbourhood". Catherine, like most of the Victorian society, views marriage as a social contract and not the ultimate commitment between lovers "you would love him without that, probably; and with it you wouldn’t, unless he possessed the four former attractions", she also chose Linton because he was the ideal man- handsome, young, cheerful and rich. Heathcliff overhears the start of the conversation between Nelly and Catherine, then disappears, therefore he fails to hear Catherine tell Nelly that she is truly in love with him. If Heathcliff had stayed and carried on listening to what Cathy had to say, then he would have understood how much she loved him, which potentially could have altered the novels overall plot.

In chapter 9 we learn Catherine's true feelings. Catherine expresses to Nelly that her love for Linton will fade overtime for the reason being "he won't always be handsome, and young, and may not always be rich". On the other hand her love for Heathcliff is eternal. When the two men are compared Linton is her moral choice because he is good for her and she will go to Heaven if she is