Wuthering Heights
Emily Bronte
Summary
Wuthering Heights is a novel told in a series of narratives, which are themselves told to
the narrator, a gentleman named Lockwood. Lockwood rents a fine house called
Thrushcross Grange in Yorkshire and slowly learns more about the histories of the two
local families. This is what he learns from the housekeeper, Ellen Dean, who had been
with one of the two families for all her life.
The story takes place around 1760, when a gentleman farmer named Earnshaw went from
his farm, Wuthering Heights, to Liverpool on a business trip. There he found a little boy
who looked like a gypsy who had apparently been abandoned. He brought the child home
with him to join his pwn family of his wife, his son, and his daughter. He named the boy
Heathcliff. Every member of the family except Catherine, the daughter, opposed the
introduction of the strange boy. Then the children grow up together, always picking on
Heathcliff who finally wants revenge on Hindley, his ‘brother.’ The story then plays out
so that there are mysterious love connections and people are lost and arguments are
constant. Will all be resolved in the end?
Character List
 Heathcliff: The main character that was orphaned as a child. He is a ‘gypsy’ that
Mr. Earnshaw brings home. He is in love with Catherine but he is always on the
outside, constantly losing people. Throughout the book he is abusive, brutal, and
cruel. Heathcliff wants revenge on Hindley for mistreatment and most of the
novel focuses on his evil doings and acts of revenge. He even marries to make the
woman miserable and takes property to degrade Hindley. He uses this to his
advantage in the end of the book. Without giving out the ending… Heathcliff is a
dynamic character that changes his ways of living by the end of the book.
 Catherine Earnshaw: The love of Heathcliff’s life. She is wild, impetuous, and
arrogant as a child. She was born at Wuthering heights and grows up getting
everything she wants. Her selfishness continues throughout life and ends up
hurting everyone including herself; she learns to control her selfishness. She
favors her son over Heathcliff, unlike her husband. Catherine Earnshaw is a
dynamic character that changes internally throughout the book when it comes to
seeing herself and her lifestyle.
 Edgar Linton- Catherine’s husband and Heathcliff’s rival. He is the master of
Thrushcross Grange. He is well mannered and well to do. His love for Catherine
enables him to overlook their incompatible natures. After losing someone special
to him, he finds happiness with his daughter, Catherine. He wants her to stay
away from Heathcliff but does not want her to be alone after the death, so he
allows her to spend time with Linton, not realizing how ill-tempered he is. The
other characters and events change Edgar for the better, making him a dynamic
character.
 Catherine Linton- Daughter of Catherine Earnshaw and Edgar. She is a mild
form of her mother, serving as a reminder of her mother’s strengths and
weaknesses. She starts the novel as a sheltered child but soon meats Heathcliff
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and the others at Wuthering heights. She is forced to marry and becomes crude
because of her treatment at the heights, but eventually becomes friends with
Hareton, leading to a happier life. She is a dynamic character due to her physical
changes towards the other characters and herself.
Linton Heathcliff- Son of Heathcliff and Isabella. He was born a sickly child,
weak and whiny (physically and emotionally) he serves as a pawn in Heathcliff’s
game of revenge. Marries Catherine Linton and helps her through life makes him
a static character that does not change emotionally or physically through the plot.
Ellen Dean- Narrator and Catherine’s servant at Wuthering Heights. She is relates
to the majority of the events, but is full of bias. She tells the story relating it
constantly to Mr. Lockwood, the tenant at Thrushcross Grange. Ellen is a Static
character that does not change physically or mentally throughout the story.
Mr. Lockwood- Heathcliff’s tenant at Thrushcross Grange. He is the catalyst in
the story, an outsider who gains inside information. He narrates the story of
Wuthering heights as told to him by Ellen Dean, relating his own experiences
with the other characters. Lockwood is a static character by keeping the same
view and personality through the work.
Mr. Earnshaw- Catherine’s father. Brings Heathcliff into his family and favors
him over his son, Hindley.
Hindley Earnshaw- Catherine’s brother. He is jealous of Heathcliff and takes a
bit of revenge after his father dies making Heathcliff a servant. He later gets into a
sticky situation, which forces him to change his character and help out the other
characters. Hindley is dynamic.
Hareton Earnshaw- Hindley’s son, he does not realize how much he should hate
Heathcliff for taking the property and not allowing him to be educated. He is
crude and unsophisticated, but in the end turns into a gentleman due to a few
events in the story, making him a dynamic character.
Frances Earnshaw- Hindley’s wife. A sickly woman, not much of a role in the
plot.
Joseph- Very old servant at Wuthering heights. A hypocritical zealot who
possesses a religious fanaticism that most find wearisome, he will not help any of
the other characters at Wuthering heights. He remains bitter through the entire
novel, making him a static character.
Isabella Linton- Edgar’s sister. Her infatuation with Heathcliff causes her to
destroy her relationship with her brother. She experiences his brutality first hand.
Through the story Isabella keeps the same characteristics making her a static
character.
Zillah- Heathcliff’s housekeeper. She saves Lockwood from a pack of dogs and
serves as Nelly’s source of information at Wuthering heights. She remains
unchanging throughout the novel and is therefore a static character.
Motifs and Symbols
 Wind- The home if the Earnshaws is called Wuthering Heights and in the first
chapter of the book Mr. Lockwood describes ‘wuthering’ as a significant
adjective that means
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“Descriptive of the atmospheric tumult to which its station is exposed in
stormy weather. Pure, bracing ventilation the must have up there are all times,
indeed; on may guess the power of the north wind blowing over the edge, by
the excessive slant of a few stunted firs at the end of the house; and by a range
of gaunt thorns all stretching their limbs one way, as if craving alms of the
sun.”
The wind is a symbol for change and is present during many of the significant
events in the lives of the characters. When a character dies there is a “high wind”
and the weather is described and “wild and stormy.” When a character leaves
Wuthering heights there is a great storm with wind and rain. And one last
character dies and the rain and wind are “coming in through the window and
beating the lattice back and forth.”
Windows and Doors- throughout the novel there are many instances of locked or
open windows and doors symbolizing imprisonment or freedom. In the very
beginning Lockwood encounters locked doors and gates at Wuthering heights,
and sees the ghost of Catherine trying to get in a window. Ellen leaves a window
open of Heathcliff to come in and see Catherine. When Heathcliff has a couple
characters locked up, they cannot leave the house or rooms because of locked
doors. It is only when they are freed that the doors are unlocked and they escape
through the open windows. At the end of the book, Lockwood goes to Wuthering
heights to find the gate unlocked and the doors open.
The hair in the locket (SPOILER ALERT)- This is a symbol that only shows
up once in the novel. It represents the intertwined lives and destinies of Edgar and
Heathcliff because they both love Catherine. When Heathcliff comes in to view
Catherine in her coffin, he takes the lock of Edgar’s hair out of her locket and
throws it to the ground, replacing it with his own. Ellen takes both locks, winds
the yellow and black locks together and puts them both in the locket.
Moors- there is a constant emphasis on landscape within the text. This landscape
is made of moors: wild, wide expanses, high and soggy, and infertile. This land
can’t be cultivated and is hard to navigate for the characters. It is mentioned many
times that the waterlogged patches are potentially dangerous for someone to
drown in. The moors serve as a symbol for the treat posed by nature. Throughout
the story, the moorland transfers it’s symbolic association onto the love affairs.
Ghosts- Ghosts are presented in this book as though it is impossible to tell if they
really exist or not. Ghosts show up sometimes as possible nightmares or
superstitions within the characters. The ghosts are symbolized in the work as
manifestations of the past with the present, and the way that memories stay with
people, affecting their day-to-day lives.
First Paragraph
1801. — I have just returned from a visit to my landlord — the solitary neighbour that I
shall be troubled with. This is certainly a beautiful country! In all England, I do not
believe that I could have fixed on a situation so completely removed from the stir of
society. A perfect misanthropist's heaven: and Mr. Heathcliff and I are such a suitable
pair to divide the desolation between us. A capital fellow! He little imagined how my
heart warmed towards him when I beheld his black eyes withdraw so suspiciously under
their brows, as I rode up, and when his fingers sheltered themselves, with a jealous
resolution, still further in his waistcoat, as I announced my name.
The first paragraph of the novel reveals the character of Heathcliff. It provides a
vivid physical picture of him, as Lockwood describes how his “black eyes” withdraw
suspiciously under his brow at Lockwood’s approach. The diction used within the
paragraph sets the tone of the book. By using the words solitary and misanthropist,
Bronte creates a sense of mystery and isolation. The sense of isolation hints at how the
story will play out and shows that isolation and mystery will play a role within the
characters.
Universal Meaning
Emily Bronte has many meanings throughout the work all tied together. She brings in the
instability of social class and the destructiveness of a love that never changes.
This Universal meaning is developed through the two main characters, Catherine
and Heathcliff. Their passion for one another seems to be the center of Wuthering heights
because it is stronger and more lasting than any of the other relationships. This love is the
source for most of the conflicts that arise in the plot. Nelly, the narrator, criticizes them
and calls their love immoral even though it is the most passionate and memorable parts of
the book. The first half of the book is centered around this relationship and the second
half focuses on the happier relationship of young Catherine and Hareton. Without giving
too much away, the second relationship poses a happier ending, restoring the peace
between the two households. The difference between these love stories develops the idea
of the destructiveness of a love that never changes.
Social class is very instable in the plot of Wuthering heights. The Earnshaws and
the Lintons occupy a precarious place within the hierarchy of the 18th century British
society. The families were part of the upper class, having servants and large estates, but it
was very fragile. The considerations of class would shape the characters motivations,
such as the marriage between Catherine and Edgar as so that Catherine would be “the
greatest woman of the neighborhood.” The Earnshaws are not as high in the social class
and do not have a carriage and a large estate. The shifting natures of social status is
demonstrated most prominently with Heathcliff going from a homeless, orphaned boy to
a young gentleman through adoption, and then back to common laborer and back to a
gentleman again.
QuotesNelly, I see now, you think me a selfish wretch; but did it never strike you that if
Heathcliff and I married we should be beggars? Whereas, if I marry Linton, I can aid
Heathcliff to rise, and place him out of my brother's power? Pg 87
Catherine is telling Ellen what she believes will happen with her marriage and her
relationship to Heathcliff. She believes that this marriage will really help
Heathcliff. This quote supports the theme of varying social classes. Catherine is
marrying into a rich family in hopes of helping others of lower class. It shows her
where her true love lies and the destructiveness of a never-ending love.
My love for Linton is like the foliage in the woods; time will change it, I'm well aware, as
winter changes the trees. My love for Heathcliff resembles the eternal rocks beneath--a
source of little visible delight, but necessary. Nelly, I am Heathcliff! He's always,
always in my mind--not as a pleasure, any more than I am always a pleasure to myself,
but as my own being (88)
This quote shows the extent of love between Catherine and Heathcliff. Heathcliff
also says similar things throughout the novel. The quote also supports the
universal meaning of a love that never changes through the course of the novel.
The love between the two characters are revealed through these quote
integrations.
You teach me how cruel you've been - cruel and false. Why do you despise me? Why
did you betray your own heart, Cathy? I have not one word of comfort. You deserve
this. You have killed yourself. Yes, you may kiss me, and cry, and wring out my kisses
and tears; they'll blight you - they'll damn you. You loved me--then what right had you
to leave me? What right--answer me--for the poor fancy you felt for Linton? Because
misery, and degradation and death, and nothing that God or Satan could inflict would
have parted us, you, of your own will, did it. I have not broken your heart--you have
broken it; and in breaking it, you have broken mine (170).
As Catherine is ill and dying she blames Heathcliff for her suffering, but he tells
her that it was she that left him and that all bland for their sorrow is hers. This
quote shows the repetition that Bronte uses to emphasize her points and keep the
paragraph moving. The quote also reveals the undying love between them and the
destruction it has caused among the two characters.
My old enemies have not beaten me; now would be the precise time to revenge myself on
their representatives-I could do it, and none could hinder me. But where is the use? I
don't care for striking, I can't take the trouble to raise my hand (336).
Heathcliff has given up on revenge, as he no longer has the will for it. It is only
because of this that he is able to see Catherine again. This quote supports the
Universal meaning of an undying love and the damage that it causes by showing
that even after a character dies, the love continues and fixes some problems while
creating new ones.
Passage Selection (DIDLS)
She rang the bell till it broke with a twang; I entered leisurely. It was enough to try the
temper of a saint, such senseless, wicked rages! There she lay dashing her head against
the arm of the sofa, and grinding her teeth, so that you may fancy she would crash them
to splinters! Mr. Linton stood looking at her in sudden compunction and fear. He told me
to fetch some water. She had not breath for speaking: I brought a glass full; and she
would not drink, I sprinkled it on her face. In a few seconds she stretched herself out stiff,
and turned up her eyes, while her cheeks, at once blanched and livid, assumed the aspect
of death. Linton looked terrified.
Pg 107
Diction- Using words such as broke, temper, rage, dashing, and grinding imply
the mood of the scene. Throughout the novel, harsh diction is used to emphasize
the darkness and confusion of the novel. In this passage, words such as
compunction, fear, stiff, blanched and livid quickly change the tone of the passage
from one of leisure to one of pure panic. Quick changes in diction are used to
change the tone of the story without changing the scenes.
Imagery- In this passage, Bronte uses the images of laying and dashing her head
in the sofa to depict and possibly foreshadow what will happen. Bronte relies
mostly on sound and vivid descriptions of exactly what is happening to give the
reader the sense of completion and understanding of the differences in the two
families.
Details- the details used in this passage are the sounds and images portrayed
through the characters. These details help the reader fully imagine the scene and
provided them with the major and necessary details needed to understand what is
happening. Bronte uses details within the characters to reveal the true
characteristics of each person.
Language- The language used in this novel is older due to the fact that is was
written in 1847. This helps the reader picture the times in which the story takes
place as well as picture how formal or informal the characters are.
Syntax- Bronte uses varying sentence structure. In this passage, the are many
complex sentences that end abruptly and keep the attention of the reader. In other
parts of the book, there are long sentences after long sentences that are present in
relaxed scenes. Bronte uses varying syntax to create the mood and speed at which
the audience will read.
Writing Style
Narration- the narration in the novel is very complex due to the ingenious device
of having two conventional people relate a very unconventional tale. The story is
organized as a narrative within a narrative. Lockwood is used to open and end the
novel in the present tense. When he returns to Thrushcross grange from his visit
to Wuthering heights’ sick and curious, Nelly agrees to tell him about his
neighbors. She picks up the narration to tell the rest of the story with brief
interruptions from Lockwood until the end. This allows Lockwood to shape the
framework of the novel and Nelly to provide the intricate recount of the personal
lives of all the characters. Lockwood’s narrative is unbiased and he introduces the
reader from the outsider’s point of view, which creates the mysteriousness about
Wuthering Heights and allows the reader to understand the feeling of hostility and
conflict. Like Lockwood, the reader is immersed in this unknown place with no
understanding of the events that had previously happened and this narration
allows the reader to discover the history of Wuthering heights first hand.
Doubles- Bronte organizes the novel by arranging everything into pairs, including
people, places, and themes. Catherine and Heathcliff see themselves as identical,
Catherine’s character is divided into two sides, and Catherine and young
Catherine are both remarkably similar and strikingly different. Also, there are two
houses that represent the opposing worlds and values and well has the novel
having two distinct narrators.
Repetition- the story seems to run in cycles, and the horrors of the past repeat
themselves in the present. The names of the characters are recycled, so that the
names of the younger generation seem to mix up the names of their parents. It
leads the reader to consider how the plot also repeats itself. For example,
Heathcliff’s disgrace of Hareton repeats Hindley’s disgrace of Heathcliff.
Writing Prompt
1988. Choose a distinguished novel or play in which some of the most significant events
are mental or psychological; for example, awakenings, discoveries, changes in
consciousness. In a well-organized essay, describe how the author manages to give these
internal events the sense of excitement, suspense, and climax usually associated with
external action. Do not merely summarize the plot.
Through the varying actions and personalities of the characters in Wuthering Heights,
Emily Bronte develops the character, Heathcliff, who changes direction psychologically
for the betterment of his family.