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Recommended: Structure and narrative of Wuthering Heights

ESSAY ON WUTHERING HEIGHTS

PLOT & STORY
The plot is designed in three parts: Chapters 1-3, Introduction; Chapters 4 (Volume 1) to chapter16 (Volume 2), Nelly's report of the story; last four chapters, Hareton and Cathy's relationship. In general, The plot is dense and fast moving.
The first three chapters take place in 1801, when Mr. Lockwood meet Heathcliff (his landlord) in Wuthering Heights. There, he also meets Hareton Earnshaw, Cathy Linton, Joseph and Zillah. The strange behaviour of the inhabitants and his nightmare, make him feel curiosity about them. Back in Thrushcross Grange, he asks his servant, Nelly, to tell the story of Heathcliff's life.
From chapter 4 (Vol.1) to chapter 17 (Vol.2), Nelly narrates the story of the first generation – Catherine Earnshaw, her brother Hindley and her sister-in-law Isabella – This story ends in chapter 3 (Vol.2), when Heathcliff becomes the owner of Wuthering Heights. Then, Nelly continues the story talking about the second generation – Cathy Linton, Linton Heathcliff and Hareton Earnshaw – Heathcliff, Edgar Linton, Nelly and Joseph are present in both generations.
Afterwards, Mr. Lockwood leaves the place after a visit to Wuthering Heights where he observes the growing love between Cathy and Hareton (chapter17, Vol.2). Lockwood comes back some months later and Nelly tells him the end of the story, which is also the end of Heathcliff, and the future wedding of Hareton and Cathy.

CHARACTERS

Heathcliff
Mr. Earnshaw found him in Liverpool and he took him to Wuthering Heights. His origins are unknown and this gives him an air of mystery.
As a child, the first impressions we get of him are through Nelly's words; for her, he is 'a dirty, ragged, black-haired child';, 'as dark almost as if it came from the devil'; (chapter 4,vol.1). But, as an adult, Mr. Lockwood describes him as 'a dark-skinned gypsy in aspect, in dress and manners a gentleman';(chapter1, vol.1) and he also tell us that 'he had an erect and handsome figure'; (chapter 1,vol.1). Those descriptions are contradictory but it is due to the author ambiguous treatment of Heathcliff; we are sympathetic to him and horrified by him. This also makes the character complex and lifelike.
As a complex character, it is difficult to describe him completely but we can say he is a man of action, closely related to nature (to the moors and the atmosphere of Wuthering Heights), and with very powerful feelings. He would represent passion beyond the social, the ordinary.

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