The growing love between Cathy and Hareton serves to intensify Heathcliff's loss. He, like Catherine, takes no food as he nears death. This is a ritual fasting. Food no longer sustains him; he needs to be nourished by something more. Heathcliff is consumed with pain as he longs to be united with Catherine.
Readers easily forgive, if not forget, what a monster Heathcliff had been, for he is such a pitiable shadow of his former self. Wuthering Heights ends on a universal note, with love conquering hate.
