Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights

Wuthering Heights

Emily Brönte

Wuthering Heights, written by Emily Brönte, is a story about the Earnshaw family

who own a place called Wuthering Heights. Wuthering Heights is located on the moors.

It narrates the story of the Earnshaw family, Heathcliff and the love story behind them

all. Wuthering Heights is a strange, agonizing and powerful novel. It is said that revenge

is the dominant theme of the book. Towards the 2nd part of the novel, the focus of the

story was about Heathcliff planning for vengeance against the Edgar Linton. Edgar

Linton is the person who married Catherine who was Heathcliff’s only love. The heroes

in the story are Edgar Linton and Hareton Earnshaw. Heathcliff is considered as the

villain. The book is also taken over by sin and retribution (crime and punishment). All the

characters sin in some way are punished, with the exception of Cathy and Hareton, who

manage to destroy evil in their lifetime.

Major Characters:

Mr. Earnshaw- Mr. Earnshaw is the one who brought Heathcliff to Wuthering Heights.

He is the owner of Wuthering Heights. Mr Earnshaw is a brusque Yorkshire farmer.

Hindley Earnshaw- He is cruel and he lacks character. He also can be describe as the

artistic type. He was neglected by his father especially when Heathcliff arrived at

Wuthering Heights.

Catherine Earnshaw- She is a wild, impertuous, arrogant girl. Despite her feelings for

Heathcliff, she decides to marry Edgar, knowing full well that Heathcliff is the true love

of Catherine. Before she dies, she says that she wants both Edgar and Heathcliff to suffer.

Hareton Earnshaw- He is the son of Hindley and Frances Earnshaw. He was reared by

Heathcliff as part of his plan to punish the Earnshaws. Hareton reflects Heathcliff’s cruel

nature.

Healthcliff- An adopted member of the Earnshaw family. As a child, he was sullen and

impatient; as a young man, he is sullen, impatient, vengeful and cruel. He has an all-

engrossing passion for Catherine Earnshaw, and when she marries Edgar Linton, he

spends the remainder of his life in spiritual torturement.

Linton Heathcliff- The son of Heathcliff and Isabella Linton. He is sickly and unmanly.

His death is hastened because of Heathcliff’s neglect.

Edgar Linton- A devoted suitor of Catherine, he becomes a recluse after her death. He

develops a fondness for young Cathy, but he is no match for Heathcliff., who is

determined to make Cathy pay for her mother’s caprices.

Cathy Linton- Edgar’s darling; she inherits her mother’s pride and determination and