Wuthering Heights
Emily Bronte
Study Guide
Chapter 1
1 Joseph's characterization is minimal but is incredibly powerful. What is the key motif
that characterizes him?
2. Examine the language used to describe the interior of Wuthering Heights. Identify in
particular the imagery of warfare.
Chapter 2
1. Lockwood commits many errors during his interaction with Heathcliff. Identify these
blunders.
2. How are the differences between Lockwood and Heathcliff established throughout the
first two chapters?
Chapter 3
1. Catherine's diaries provide the stimulus for Lockwood's
disturbed dreams. Examine the content of these dreams and consider what they contribute
to the thematic concerns of the novel.
Chapter 4
1. How reliable a narrator is Nelly Dean?
2. What do we learn of Heathcliff’s character and his role in the narrative from this
chapter?
Chapter 5
1. The theme of disease is introduced in this chapter. Trace (and provide textual evidence
for) the recurrence of this theme throughout the novel.
2. This chapter also offers the first sustained description of Catherine. Quote and
comment on the way Bronte presents this character here.
Chapter 6
1. How does Bronte present the relationship between Hindley and Francis?
2. Explore the contrasts between the heights and the Grange. Comment on the differences
between their inhabitants.
3. Examine Heathcliff’s speech style as he narrates his visit to Thrushcross Grange to
Nelly Dean.
Chapter 7
1. How and why does the relationship between Heathcliff and Catherine change after her
return from the Lintons’? 2. How does Catherine respond to the Lintons’ treatment of
Heathcliff? Comment on Catherine’s divided loyalties in this chapter. 3. Lockwood fails
to understand Nelly Dean. What methods does she use to point out his ignorance?
Chapter 8
1. The central conflict of the novel is the choice Catherine must make between Heathcliff
and Edgar. In choosing, she is torn between two contrasting ways of life. What does each
man signify in the novel? How is the conflict presented here? Consider Catheine’s
actions and the attendant emotions.
Chapter 9
1. This is a pivotal chapter in the novel. What do we learn about Catherine from her
decision?
2. Note the attitude to love expressed here and consider how the novel as a whole
explores different perspectives on love.
3. Quote and comment on Catherine’s idea of heaven.
Chapter 10
1. How does Nelly Dean betray Catherine’s confidence? 2. Why does catherine betray
Isabella’s confidence?
Chapter 11
1. What motivation does Nelly have for visiting the Heights?
2. Examine the language used to describe Nelly’s vision of Hindley. How does Bronte
make use of contrast here? 3. Comment on Hareton’s relationship with Heathcliff. 4. Is
Heathcliff really a ‘black villain’ at this point in the narrative? 5. This is the second
incident in the novel that Heathcliff’s departure provokes illness in Catherine. Locate the
parallel incident and compare and contrast the two passages. Pay particular attention to
Catherine’s words, thoughts and feelings; her physiological reactions and the reactions of
other characters.
Chapter 12
1. Again, Nelly Dean withholds information. What are the consequences here?
2. Catherine Linton behaves like a woman possessed. By what has she been ‘haunted’?
Explore the entire chapter. 3. Catherine perceives Nelly as a ‘withered hag’ and later
refers to her as a ‘witch’. To what extent does she control the fate of the characters
throughout the novel? 4. Explain the irony of Catherine’s mention of the oak panelled
bed. Catherine wishes to escape the room. Comment on her fears here and compare this
to earlier events in the novel. 5. Catherine says, “I won’t rest till you are with me. I never
will.” Explore the truth of this statement throughout the remainder of the novel. 6. What
mitigation does Nelly give for not informing the household of Isabella’s elopement with
Heathcliff?
Chapter 13
1. Edgar Linton nurses Catherine through her brain fever. A similar occurrence is
documented in Dracula. Compare the representation of this situation in both novels, pay
particular attention to the characters involved.
2. Comment on the revelation of Catherine’s pregnancy in the novel. How is this dealt
with? 3. Comment on Isabella’s reception at the heights. How does this compare with
Catherine’s days as a newly-wed at the Grange? Why the difference? 4. Joseph
contributes to Catherine’s anxiety. How and why? 5. Hareton threatens to set the dog
onto Isabella. What function do dogs play in the novel?
Chapter 14
1. Nelly notes the change in Isabella. To what do you attribute this?
2. Heathcliff explains his feelings towards Catherine using familiar images. Compare this
to Catherine’s explanations elsewhere in the novel. 3. Heathcliff taunts Isabella. Locate
the moment in the text when we first realise that his intentions towards her are
dishonorable.
4. Mr Lockwood’s words close this chapter. Do his fears come true?
Chapter 15
1. How is the narrative conveyed in this chapter?
2. Identify the key elements in the interaction between Catherine and Heathcliff. How
does this chapter explore/ exploit the notion of romantic love?
Chapter 16
1. What kind of future does Nelly envisage for the infant Catherine?
2. Comment on Nelly’s attitude to death. Write a detailed examination of reactions to the
death of a character in Dracula and in Jekyll and Hyde. 3. How does Heathcliff receive
the news of Catherine’s death?
Chapter 17
1. Examine Bronte’s use of nature and the elements here and elsewhere in the novel. 2.
How does Isabella refer to Heathcliff throughout this chapter? Use quotation to support
your answer. Examine his influence on characters in the novel thus far.
3. This chapter is rife with violence and aggression. Discuss the effect of this on the
characters involved and examine the language Bronte uses to convey the dangerous
atmosphere here.
Chapter 18
1. How does Nelly Dean feel about the younger Catherine as a child? Use quotation to
support your answer.
2. What do Penistone crags symbolise for Cathy and why is she prevented from visiting
them?
3. Why does Linton visit Isabella?
4. Comment on Cathy’s reactions when she realises the identity of Hareton. 5. Identify
Nelly’s description of the young Hareton and comment on her use of natural imagery
here. 6. What kind of maltreatment had Hareton suffered at the hands of Heathcliff?
Chapter 19
1. Linton Heathcliff is brought to the Grange following his mother’s death. Heathcliff
demands that Linton live with him at the Heights. Why is this arrangement unsatisfactory
to Edgar Linton and Nelly Dean? What are their fears?
Chapter 20
1. Summarise Heathcliff’s early responses to his son. 2. What is ‘the sole consideration’
which would allow Heathcliff to ‘endure’ his son. ‘the whelp’? 3. ‘Then the latch was
raised and fell: they did not suffer him to come forth. I mounted Minny, and urged her to
a trot; and so my brief guardianship ended.’ 4. What is significant about the manner in
which this chapter ends?
Chapter 21
1. Comment on the relationships between Linton Heathcliff and the other inhabitants of
the Heights.
2. Cathy and Nelly Dean meet Heathcliff whilst walking on the moors. Heathcliff does
not hide his intentions from Nelly. What does he propose for the future? What is his
motivation here?
3. How are the differences between Hareton and Linton conveyed throughout this
interaction?
4. How does Cathy respond when her father informs about the true nature of Heathcliff?
5. How and why does Nelly Dean put an end to the correspondence between Cathy and
Linton?
Chapter 22
1. Cathy and Nelly again meet with Heathcliff. This time, however, Nelly is separated
from her charge as Cathy had clambered over a wall to retrieve her hat and the door was
locked fast. In conversation, Heathcliff accuses Cathy of contributing to Linton’s illness
and blackmails her by stating that she is the only person who could save him. Why does
Nelly agree to collude with Cathy in visiting Linton?
Chapter 23
1. Note the reason for the quarrel between Cathy and Linton.
2. How does Cathy exercise deceit at this stage of the tale?
Chapter 24
1. Examine the conversation Cathy reports between her and Linton. How do their idea of
heaven differ?
2. How does Cathy’s behavior towards Hareton resemble her mother’s earlier behavior
towards Heathcliff? 3. Linton is energetic and passionate when provoked by Hareton.
Comment on the symbolism of doors and barriers in this chapter.
4. Cathy refers to Linton having a ‘distorted nature’. What does she mean by this? 5.
Why, in your opinion, does Nelly betray Cathy so readily?
Chapter 25
1. What is Nelly’s plan for Lockwood? 2. Summarise Edgar Linton’s speculations on the
future for his daughter. 3. Why does Edgar Linton finally agree to allow Cathy and
Linton to continue their courtship? What significant information does Edgar lack?
4. How does Nelly describe Heathcliff’s role in the courtship of the two cousins?
Chapter 26
1. How has Linton changed?
2. What does Cathy feel about Linton here?
Chapter 27
1. Throughout the novel, the physical description of characters is often given in terms of
nature and similarities to the landscape. Identify and quote the comments Nelly gives
with respect to Cathy’s physical appearance. 2. How does Heathcliff contrive to imprison
Nelly and Cathy?
3. List the references to the devil in this chapter and comment on their significance.
4. Cathy and Nelly miss an opportunity to escape. Identify a similar situation in the novel,
Dracula.
Chapter 28
1. How has the disappearance of Nelly and Cathy been accounted for?
2. Edgar Linton dies ignorant of the truth about his nephew. What alteration does he plan
to make to his will and why?
3. How does Cathy eventually escape and what is the irony here?
Chapter 29
1. In this chapter we realize Heathcliff’s suffering over the loss of Catherine. Does your
opinion of him change at this point? Give reasons for your answer.
Chapter 30
1. Compare and contrast the characters of Zillah and Nelly Dean.
Lockwood’s desire for social recluse has ended and he vows to leave the Grange. The
narrative continues with Lockwood.
Chapter 31
1. What is the significance of Hareton’s book burning here?
2. What do Lockwood’s closing words reveal about his character?
Chapter 32
1. Lockwood has continued to pay rent on the Grange and returns whilst journeying to
visit a friend. He visits the Heights whilst the housekeeper prepares a room for him.
Comment on his description of the Heights at this time and compare it with his first
impressions at the start of the novel. How do you account for the change?
2. The narrative returns to Nelly Dean. How does she account for the changed
relationship between Hareton and Cathy?
3. Why does Nelly look forward to a union between the two?
Chapter 33
1. Comment on Cathy’s newfound confidence to oppose Heathcliff. Why do you think
she does this? 2. The younger Cathy reverses the pattern of her mother’s life. What does
she gain? 3. What feature do Hareton and Cathy share?
4. What does Heathcliff confide to Nelly Dean?
5. What is Heathcliff’s ‘single wish’?
Chapter 34
1. How does the imagery used in this chapter support Heathcliff’s observation that he is
between heaven and hell? 2. Examine Nelly’s speculations on Heathcliff’s character and
his activities. How do these contribute to the notion that he is possessed? Do the
descriptions she offers remind you of any other personage in literature or folklore? 3.
What does Nelly advise Heathcliff?
4. Comment on the ironic circumstances of Heathcliff’s death. 5. Typically, the novel
closes with an image of a decaying churchyard. Identify a similar descriptive passage in
another gothic text you have studied. Why do you think this is a common motif in gothic
fiction?