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   In Ch.17, we read of the desolate state of Edgar Linton after the death of his wife the elder Catherine, "Grief...transformed him into a complete hermit."  in such a wretched situation, his only consolation was his infant daughter Cathy. He was completely captivated by her and she controlled  his entire being and actions from then on, "and ere the tiny thing could stammer a word or totter a step, it wielded a despot's sceptre in his heart."  The reason why he was so fond of little Cathy and willingly allowed his enitre life and being to be controlled by her was "it (little Cathy) formed to him a distinction from the mother, and yet, a connection with her; and his attachment sprang from its relation her, far more than from its being his own."

   He was so fond of his daughter little Cathy because she always reminded him of his wife the elder Catherine, and he treasured his daughter because she had sprung from the womb of his wife and carried within her the genetic imprint of his wife.

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   Posted by lit24 on Friday November 21, 2008 at 6:51 AM