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What do you know about the Victorian
period in England? What images are called
to mind when you hear the word Victorian?
Emily Brontë
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The Victorian Age refers to the period in England
when Queen Victoria reigned (1837-1901).
The British Empire had reached its height and
ruled one quarter of the world.
During this time, the Industrial Revolution
created profound economical changes in society.
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England changed from a primarily agricultural
country to an industrial one, and created a great
social upheaval.
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New class distinctions emerged from the growth of
industrial production. A new middle class began to
emerge.
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Upper class and gentry – landowners
Middle class – shopkeepers and the merchant
Low class and the poor – factory workers or the unemployed
Rural life was ruled by a strict social hierarchy.
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Lords and the aristocracy
Gentry class
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The Linton family
Gentleman farmers
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Prosperous enough to maintain lifestyles similar to the gentry
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Born in northern England in 1818
Daughter of a reverend and his wife
Reclusive
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Had few friends outside of her family
However, Brontë was exposed to a microcosm of society
through her father’s congregation.
The people in her home of Haworth, Yorkshire were
characterized as being blunt, passionate, and using
colorful speech.
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These attitudes made their way into Wuthering Heights.
The novel is an accurate depiction of Yorkshire.
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Brontë’s sisters were Charlotte Brontë and
Anne Brontë.
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Charlotte – Jane Eyre (1847)
Anne – Agnes Grey (1847)
The three published poems under the
pseudonyms of Currer, Ellis, and Acton Bell.
Brontë tended to her brother Branwell, who
was dying from alcoholism and drug abuse.
She caught a severe cold at his funeral, which
developed into tuberculosis. She died shortly
after him in 1848.
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The novel depicts the dark side of human
nature, using violence and obsessive love.
Novel deviated from the norm of the
Victorian period
Sinister realism
 Dark overtones
 July 1848 issue of Graham’s Magazine – “vulgar
depravity and unnatural horrors”
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Similar more to a Gothic horror
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The novel was met with much criticism when first published.
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Ghosts
Supernatural
A tortured and dark protagonist
Characters were classless, rough in nature, and angry.
However, the characters are true-to-life and her portrayal of the
time period and laws are accurate.
Modern critics place Brontë among the best of Victorian writers.
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While her sister Charlotte was more popular during the time period
in which they lived, Emily is now looked at as the more talented of
the two.
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Spiritual love vs. superficial love
Constraint vs. freedom
Revenge and retribution for past sins
Impermanence of self and the permanence
of something larger than self
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Impermanence means temporary or not lasting.
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Compare and contrast the characters Heathcliff and
Lockwood. Does Lockwood’s impression of Heathcliff
change by the time he leaves Wuthering Heights?
Discuss the meaning of the name of Heathcliff’s home,
Wuthering Heights. Does the name reflect Heathcliff’s
personality or the home itself?
Lockwood appears to be attracted to Cathy, as he
describes her beauty and flirts with her at the end of
Chapter 2. Argue whether or not Lockwood has
genuine feelings for Cathy.
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Lockwood
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Narrator of the novel before Nelly Dean takes over
Heathcliff’s tenant at Thrushcross Grange
Nelly Dean
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Also referred to as Ellen Dean.
Housekeeper for the Earnshaws
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Grows up serving Catherine and later serves Heathcliff
All characters confide in her.
Narrates the past action of the story to Lockwood.
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Two Catherines
One is the mother, the other the daughter.
 Both are called Cathy at different points
throughout the novel.
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But the daughter is often referred to as “Little
Cathy.”
Mr. Linton
Mrs. Linton
Mr. Earnshaw
Mrs. Earnshaw
d. 1780
d. 1780
d. 1777
d. 1773
Heathcliff
Isabella
Edgar
Catherine
Hindley
Frances
b. 1764
b. 1765
b. 1762
b. 1765
b. 1757
d. 1778
d. 1802
d. 1797
d. 1801
d. 1784
d. 1784
Linton
Catherine
b. 1784
b. 1784
d. 1801
Hareton
b. 1778
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Although Lockwood is a minor character, Brontë
provides sufficient information for us to develop a clear
picture of him. Write a brief character sketch describing
Lockwood, focusing on his perceived similarities to
Heathcliff.
In many novels, the setting functions like a character;
without its unique qualities, the story wouldn’t be the
same. Describe the Yorkshire countryside, discussing
why its characteristics are essential to the novel.
What is revealed about Heathcliff when he hears of the
ghost? What does his reaction tell you about his mental
state?
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Discuss the difference between the way Mr.
Earnshaw treats Hindley and Heathcliff. Based on
your reading of the novel, argue whether or not
Mr. Earnshaw has any legitimate reasons as to why
he treats Heathcliff better than he does Hindley.
Discuss the relationship between Catherine and
Heathcliff.
How does Nelly Dean describe Joseph in Chapter
5?
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There is enormous hatred between Hindley and Heathcliff.
Both boys feel cheated of something the other possesses.
Which one do you feel has the more legitimate complaint?
Defend Heathcliff or Hindley based on whom you believe
has the most justification.
Social class issues have begun to surface in recent chapters.
Much of Heathcliff’s social inferiority is due to his swarthy
appearance and lack of family background. Discuss his
treatment by the Lintons compared to their behavior
toward Catherine in this context.
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Discuss Catherine’s “double character.”
How does this affect her relationship with
Heathcliff?
Discuss the theme of the divided self:
man’s natural instincts in conflict with
society’s adopted values. Using Edgar and
Catherine as examples, discuss how these
two aspects of human nature can or cannot
be reconciled.
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In this chapter, Catherine decides to marry
Edgar. What does her choice tell you about
the rules of marriage during the time
period?
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Write a character sketch of Edgar Linton,
delineating his growth from a spoiled,
indulged child of privilege into a gentleman
of honor and respect.
Discuss Catherine’s decision to marry Edgar.
Why does she choose to marry Edgar when
she is in love with Heathcliff?
Discuss Nelly’s reaction to Catherine’s
decision to marry Edgar.
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The women in the novel are, in some cases,
victims of their social class. What was a
woman’s role in England or the United
States 150 years ago? What sorts of
conflicts do you suppose many women
experienced? What has changed for women
since then? What problems or conflicts still
exist for women? Describe.
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How did Catherine adjust to married life?
Do you think her periods of depression
were simply part of the normal ups and
downs of life or are there special reasons
for her feelings?
Discuss Isabella’s attraction to Heathcliff.
How do Edgar and Catherine react to
Isabella’s feelings for Heathcliff?
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In this chapter, Catherine vows to be selfdestructive in order to prove her point to
others. Have you ever done anything out of
spite that ended up causing you more
problems in the long term? As the cliché
goes, have you ever cut your nose to spite
your face?
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Describe Hareton. How has Heathcliff influenced
Hareton’s behavior?
What upsets Nelly when she visits the Heights?
What physical violence occurs between Edgar and
Heathcliff? What do their responses show you about
each of them?
How does Cathy view her role in her current situation?
Discuss Heathcliff’s plan for revenge. How does his plan
affect Edgar, Catherine, Hindley, and Isabella? Why,
according to Heathcliff, is Catherine spared from his
revenge?
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Based on your reading of the novel, argue
whether Catherine has truly gone insane, or
if she acting insane for purely manipulative
reasons.
What promise does Catherine make in this
chapter?
Who do you think tried to hang Isabella’s
dog?
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Both Isabella and Catherine are “fish out
of water,” as the cliché goes, in the
residences into which they married.
Discuss how each woman responds to an
environment which is unnatural to her.
Summarize Isabella’s note to Nelly. Why
doesn’t Isabella just leave?
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Heathcliff is certain that Catherine loves only him. Based
on your reading of the novel, argue whether or not
Catherine has legitimate feelings for her husband.
What does Heathcliff want Nelly to do in Chapter 14?
How does she respond? Do you agree that her actions
are necessary, as she feels, or do you think she should
have acted differently?
What does Heathcliff say about Isabella in Chapter 14?
Do you feel pity for her at all? Or is her situation her own
fault, for marrying someone she barely knew?
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Describe Catherine’s feelings toward her
impending death. What does Heathcliff
and Catherine’s conversation in Chapter
15 tell the reader about their connection?
Discuss Heathcliff’s feelings about the
state of Catherine’s soul. Why does
Heathcliff want Catherine’s soul to know
no rest until he is dead? Do you feel he is
selfish?
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Are Hindley and Isabella equally victims of Heathcliff’s scheming?
Or did they, in some manner, deserve what happened at his hands?
Using what you know about both of their backgrounds, discuss to
what extent Brontë wants us to pity them.
While pregnant, Isabella and Catherine never mention the fact that
they are expecting. What significance is there to their combined
disinterest in motherhood? Referring to both Mrs. Earnshaw and
Mrs. Linton, discuss how Catherine and Isabella were mothered, and
discuss reasons why motherhood is not regarded as a joy for either
of them.
Discuss Nelly’s contrast of Hindley’s and Edgar’s reactions to their
circumstances on Page 202. How did their different reactions
change the course of their lives?
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Describe Cathy. Do you feel she is more like Edgar or
Catherine?
How has Heathcliff treated Hareton over the years? How
has it affected his development? What does it show you
about Heathcliff’s continued rage?
How do other characters respond to the arrival of Linton?
How does Edgar react to Heathcliff’s request for Linton?
What does it show you about Edgar? How do you think he
feels about Isabella’s actions now?
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How long does Linton stay at the Grange?
How does Heathcliff treat his son? Why do
you suppose Linton is so unsatisfactory,
according to his father?
What reason does Heathcliff give for
taking good care of Linton? Discuss this in
terms of what it shows about Heathcliff’s
mental state and obsession.
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Compare Linton to Hareton, focusing on
Heathcliff’s analogy of them as tin to gold
(240). Both young men are pawns in
Heathcliff’s schemes. Which is the more
sympathetic character? Why?
Why is Cathy drawn to Linton? Do you
believe she is genuinely in love with Linton?
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In the novel, the characters take dreams and
their implications very seriously. How
seriously do you believe in dreams, déjà vu,
psychics, and the like?
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Describe Cathy’s relationship with her
father.
How is Cathy similar to her mother? How
does she differ?
Does Linton’s plan to make Cathy feel guilty
work out? How?
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In an earlier scene, Hareton hangs a litter of puppies. In
Chapter 24, he reacts like a rebuked puppy. To what extent
is a puppy an apt metaphor for Hareton?
How are the love triangles between Hareton-Cathy-Linton
and Heathcliff-Catherine-Edgar similar? What is the
fundamental difference?
Nelly tells Edgar he shouldn’t worry too much about Cathy
because “people who do their duty are always finally
rewarded” (281). Do you agree?
Do you think it is symbolic that Edgar did not visit
Catherine’s grave on Cathy’s 17th birthday?
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Discuss the ways Edgar and Heathcliff treat their
children.
At this point in the novel, argue whether or not
Heathcliff is a redeemable character.
If Heathcliff truly loved Catherine, why do you
think he treats Cathy, her daughter, in such a
horrible way? After seeing the way he treats
Linton and Hareton, do you think he would treat
Cathy differently if he, not Edgar, was her father?
Mr. Linton
Mrs. Linton
Mr. Earnshaw
Mrs. Earnshaw
d. 1780
d. 1780
d. 1777
d. 1773
Heathcliff
Isabella
Edgar
Catherine
Hindley
Frances
b. 1764
b. 1765
b. 1762
b. 1765
b. 1757
d. 1778
d. 1802
d. 1797
d. 1801
d. 1784
d. 1784
Linton
Catherine
b. 1784
b. 1784
d. 1801
Hareton
b. 1778
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Although it seems Heathcliff has been
awarded his revenge, Cathy continues to
defy him. Give examples of Cathy’s defiance
of Heathcliff.
Explain Heathcliff’s obsession with
Catherine’s dead body. Argue whether he is
insane or is determined to be at peace by
opening Catherine’s grave.
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Write an analysis of Cathy. Argue whether
or not she is a sympathetic character. Is she
willful or spoiled?
Brontë clearly had impressive knowledge of
early 19th century English inheritance laws.
Research some American inheritance laws
of the early 21st century, examining the
differences in the roles of women.
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When Lockwood returns from London, how much
time has passed? What surprise does he get at
Thrushcross Grange?
What things surprise Lockwood when he arrives at
the Heights?
How was Hareton’s shooting accident a good
thing, in the end?
Why is Nelly Dean particularly happy about the
approaching wedding of Cathy and Hareton?
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Discuss Heathcliff and Hareton’s
relationship.
What does the replacement of the currant
trees for flowers symbolize?
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Describe Heathcliff’s death. Do you feel
Heathcliff found peace?
Describe the characters’ reactions to
Heathcliff’s death.
What stories are now told in the village?
What do you think? Is it possible that the
moors are really haunted?