Reading Guide for Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë

Introduction
 Emily Brontë wrote Wuthering Heights in 1846 and 1847 while her other two sisters wrote their novels.
Charlotte wrote Jane Eyre and Anne wrote Agnes Grey. These three girls along with their brother Branwell
grew up in a very isolated area of northern England in the small village of Haworth. Look on the Internet for
pictures of the moors of surrounding Haworth called the Yorkshire moors. The Yorkshire moors are a rather
desolate and bleak area. The weather there is very changeable. When I visited there, I experienced rain, wind,
and beautiful sunshine all in the course of one day. I felt isolated and separated during my stay. I have some
pictures that I will share with you. But I think understanding the setting of Wuthering Heights will help you
understand how small Emily Brontë’s world was and why the setting of the novel is so restricted.
 I would suggest that sometime while you read Wuthering Heights that you read the biographical information
about Emily Brontë on pages 397-399 of your book. Pay close attention to the comments about the Angria and
Gondal stories that the Brontë children created when they were very young. The novels of the Brontë children
were born in these fantasies. See if you can find in your Internet research how a set of toy wooden soldiers fit
into the creation of these stories. I also want you to locate pictures of the “little books” that the Brontë children
wrote.
 The novel explores the themes of love as a creative and nurturing force versus love as an all-consuming and
destructive force. The destructive power of revenge and the consequences of passion that dominates reason are
also key themes.
 Enough said about background—I hope you will enjoy this novel. Wuthering Heights has long been a favorite
of mine from 19th century English literature. Some of you will consider it a bit too much like a “soap opera”
from television, but I hope that you will give it a chance and recognize some of the literary merit the novel
possesses as well.
Chapters I-III (pages 1-32)
 The “I” in this chapter is Mr. Lockwood. He has recently rented (leased) Thrushcross Grange. Mr. Heathcliff
who lives at Wuthering Heights owns Thrushcross Grange. Look at the map on page of this handout. This is
the whole setting of the novel. Thrushcross Grange is a much larger home, much like an estate. Wuthering
Heights is the name of a more rural house much like a farmhouse. All the characters in the novel will live at
either of these houses and some will move from one place to the other and maybe even back again.
 Notice the date of the novel is 1801—that is an important beginning. 1801 would be the beginning of a new
century. Notice in this chapter, Mr. Lockwood calls this place the perfect “misanthropist’s heaven.” What
could that possibly mean? Mr. Lockwood also tells us a little bit about himself—why has he come to this place
so isolated from society? What happened to him in an encounter with a young lady at the seacoast? What does
his impression of Heathcliff suggest to you about Mr. Lockwood and Heathcliff?
 Pay close attention to the description of Wuthering Heights—the interior and exterior. What date and name is
written above the front door. You will meet a Hareton Earnshaw in the novel (not the one in 1500), but pay
attention to the characters as they unfold and how the Earnshaws are connected to Wuthering Heights. Emily
Brontë loved dogs and animals. You will see many dogs throughout the novel.
 How would you describe this first visit of Mr. Lockwood with Heathcliff? Would you want to return? Why do
you think Mr. Lockwood vows to return to the following day at the end of Chapter I?
 Chapter II is confusing—but it should be. Lockwood is the narrator, but he is not a very observant person, or at
least he jumps to conclusions about who is who and who is married to whom. When he tells us that the young
woman Mrs. Heathcliff is Heathcliff’s wife, then we believe him. Brontë prepares us for these misconceptions
when every observation that Lockwood makes (remember the dead rabbits he thought were cats) is incorrect.
Part of the beauty of the beginning of the novel is piecing together the characters and understanding how they
are related—so don’t be discouraged, you are supposed to be confused. But you should at least know that
Heathcliff is about 40 years old, Catherine Heathcliff (Mrs. Heathcliff) is about 17, and Hareton Earnshaw is
about 22 or 23—according to Mr. Lockwood (and he is right about the ages—just wrong about how these
people are related.) Despite the confusion of characters, I think you should also see some humor in this
chapter.
 You are so fortunate to have Joseph’s Yorkshire dialect translated for you in the footnotes—one of the reasons I
chose this text. Joseph is a religious fanatic—Emily Brontë’s father was a curate (priest) and somewhat
fanatical also. Zillah is a servant woman at Wuthering Heights. She isn’t a major character, but she does show
compassion for Lockwood and his dilemma.
 I love how Brontë introduces the mystery of this chapter. Zillah leads Lockwood to a room, but she tells him to
be very quiet because Heathcliff doesn’t allow anyone in this room. When Lockwood asks her why, she replies
she doesn’t know. That should spark your curiosity about this room because she will learn about it later.
Lockwood enters the room and discovers an old bed. You need to understand or visualize this bed. It is similar
 to a huge cabinet—the bed is a box with sliding wooden doors that slide back to allow the occupant to enter the
bed. Once the doors are closed, the occupant would be totally shut off from the rest of the room. The bed is
next to the wall with the window of the room opening into this box-like enclosure (closet). I hope this makes
sense. The window ledge served as a shelf or desktop for the person lying/sitting in the bed. These beds were
common in colder climates—a person would take heated rocks wrapped in blankets or cloths to bed with them
and these would help heat the bed and the enclosure would maintain the heat.
 Once Lockwood is in this bed, he notices the books and papers on the shelf. Pay attention to the names—
Catherine Linton, Catherine Earnshaw, and Catherine Heathcliff. Again part of the mystery—I should not tell
you this, but these names are not the name of the young lady downstairs right now. Remember Lockwood said
she was 17 years old—she is—and he reads on the cover of the New Testament the name Catherine Earnshaw
with a date 25 years ago—so this is not the Catherine Heathcliff downstairs who was rude to Lockwood about
tea. But who she is? Now, pay close attention to the two stories that Lockwood reads written in the margins of
the books on the shelf. The stories are written by a Catherine, and the Heathcliff that she mentions is the
Heathcliff that is downstairs now. The stories are enclosed within quotation marks that indicate Lockwood is
reading them.
 The break on page 22 indicates the end of Lockwood’s reading and the beginning of his dreams. His first
dream is strange—but aren’t most dreams—the dream involves Lockwood going to a chapel with Joseph to
hear the famous preacher Reverend Jabes Branderham. The sermon is on the 490 (70x7) sins of man that ends
in a riot among the members of the congregation. In the second dream Lockwood breaks out the window to
stop the beating of a branch on the window. When he does he touches the cold hand of a young girl who calls
herself Catherine Linton and begs to be let in. Lockwood’s screams awaken Heathcliff—please pay close
attention to Heathcliff’s response to Lockwood’s story of the ghost and what Heathcliff does when Lockwood
leaves the room but stands in the hallway observing Heathcliff. This first section ends with Lockwood
returning to Thrushcross Grange, escorted by Heathcliff to the front gate.
Chapters IV-IX (pages 32-92)
 When Lockwood returns and after spending the afternoon alone, he asks for Mrs. Dean (the housekeeper) in to
find out more information about the residents of Wuthering Heights. He is especially interested in whom?
Why does she say that Heathcliff prefers to live at Wuthering Heights than the more comfortable Thrushcross
Grange?
 On page 33 and 34, Mrs. Dean tells Lockwood who the three characters are at Wuthering Heights. Please
consult the family trees of Lintons and Earnshaws two pages before page 1. You might want to mark this page
because as Nell Dean begins to tell Lockwood the history of Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange you
may need to reference that page.
 Nelly Dean begins her history on page 35. When she begins, “Before I came to live here,”—the I is Nelly
Dean—we have a shift in narrators. Please remember as you listen to this long history that she is telling her
story to Mr. Lockwood. He will occasionally interrupt, and I will try to remind you when that happens.
 When Mr. Earnshaw leaves for a journey to Liverpool, what does Hindley (his son) ask him to bring back as a
present? What does Miss Cathy ask for? What does he promise to bring to Nelly? How long was Mr.
Earnshaw gone?
 How old was Hindley when Mr. Earnshaw brought Heathcliff home? What is Mr. Earnshaw’s explanation of
why he brought Heathcliff home? How did Catherine and Hindley respond to him in light of their promised
gifts? Where did the Earnshaws get the name Heathcliff?
 When Nelly returns after being banished for three days, what does she discover concerning Hindley and
Cathy’s disposition toward Heathcliff? How many years passes before Mrs. Earnshaw dies?
 How do Hindley and Cathy differ as patients from Heathcliff when they all have the measles and Nelly cares
for them? Nelly recounts an example of Heathcliff and Hindley’s animosity concerning two colts. Explain it
 What are your feelings toward Heathcliff, Hindley, and Cathy by the end of Chapter IV? What about Nelly?
 Why does Hindley go to college in Chapter V? What does Nelly suggest about Joseph and his influence on Mr.
Earnshaw? What does Nelly conclude about the relationship between Catherine and Heathcliff? What does
Nelly hear at the door the night Mr. Earnshaw dies between Catherine and Heathcliff?
 In Chapter VI, when Hindley comes home for his father’s funeral, whom does he bring with him? What is her
name? How does Nelly describe her? How is Hindley changed and how does he now treat Joseph, Nelly, and
Heathcliff?
 Heathcliff tells Nelly about his and Catherine’s adventure at Thrushcross Grange. Be prepared to recount the
events of how this adventure unfolds. Please note the description of Thrushcross Grange. How does it
compare to Wuthering Heights? How do Catherine and Heathcliff compare to Isabella and Edgar Linton?
 In Chapter VII, Catherine returns to Wuthering Heights from her 5-week stay at Thrushcross Grange. Describe
how she has changed? What does she say to Heathcliff that infuriates him? What holiday will be celebrated
the following day and who is coming to Wuthering Heights to spend it with the Earnshaws? What does
Heathcliff beg Ellen (another name for Nelly Dean) to do for him? What does Nelly tell Heathcliff that he
should imagine concerning his birth? How does this make you feel about Heathcliff? When the Lintons arrive,
 what does Edgar say to Heathcliff that insults him? What does Heathcliff do in return? How does Hindley
react and what does he do to Heathcliff? When Heathcliff finally comes downstairs, he cannot eat any of the
dainties that Nelly prepares for him—instead he is most interested in getting what?
 Nelly interrupts her story to Mr. Lockwood and suggests she continue some time later. Mr. Lockwood insists
that she continue, and she agrees. But she skips how far ahead in the narrative of Heathcliff and the
Earnshaws?
 Who dies in Chapter VIII? How does she die? Who is born? Who takes care of little Hareton? How does
Hindley respond to his wife’s death? Nelly reports that Heathcliff is pleased at Hindley’s demise. Catherine
remains a constant companion to Heathcliff, but she also shares some of her time with whom? How does
Heathcliff respond to Cathy’s attention to Edgar Linton? How has Heathcliff kept up with the number of
days/nights that Catherine spends with the Lintons and how many she spends with him?
 When Edgar arrives this rainy afternoon to spend some time with Cathy—why do they end up fighting? What
upsets Cathy? What does she do to Nelly? What does she do to little Hareton? Why does she slap Edgar?
When Nelly returns after Cathy and Edgar have made up, she is convinced that they have confessed what?
 I think Chapter IX (begins on page 74) is the beginning of the part I like. Up until this point, we have learned
basically background information—good stuff—but not much has happened. The book begins to get good for
me from here until the end. I love this chapter because we see Emily Brontë’s concept of love. Lord Byron
heavily influenced Emily Brontë—you might want to look the background notes to Lord Byron on pages 1604-
1609 of the Norton Anthology and also on the pages in this handout. Byron writes in his famous epic-like
poems Don Juan and Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage of his hero’s search for the perfect love—that hero has come
to be called the “Byronic hero”—and he embodies the following qualities—see the comments in this handout
under Lord Byron for a description of the Byronic hero. The chapter begins with Hindley drunk (again), and he
tries to make Nelly swallow the carving knife. What did you think of this violent scene? Remember Nelly is
telling as a memory looking back. I doubt if Nelly would have been seen it as humorous had she narrated the
scene as it happened. What did you think of Heathcliff’s saving Hareton as Hindley drops him from the stairs?
You might want to remember this scene—Nelly will refer to it later when Hareton shows loyalty to Heathcliff.
Does he owe him any? One of the major themes of this story is revenge and how destructive getting revenge
can be? What is Heathcliff’s plan concerning revenge on Hindley? Do you think he will be successful?
 Please note on pages 78ff. when Catherine tells Nelly about being asked to marry Edgar Linton that afternoon
that Heathcliff is lying on a bench out of sight of the two women talking. You must understand how much
Heathcliff hears and how much he doesn’t hear. Notice when he leaves!
 What do you think of Catherine—do you think she is right in deciding to marry Edgar? Should she marry
Heathcliff—would that be incest? What is a soul mate? Shelley—another Romantic poet—has a beautiful
poem called “Epipsychidion” (soul of my soul) that embodies the idea of a soul mate—a love that is purely
Platonic. What do you know about Platonic love relationships—do you believe in them? [I think Jerry
Springer had a show on Platonic love relationships once—it was a hoot!]
 So—at the end of the chapter Catherine Earnshaw marries Edgar Linton—where is Heathcliff? What are your
thoughts on this marriage—will they make it? Will Heathcliff come back?
Chapters X-XVII (pages 93-194)
 Chapter X begins with Lockwood informing us that he has been sick in bed for how many weeks? What is
Lockwood’s assessment of Heathcliff at this point? [He has sent Lockwood a “brace of grouse” and has visited
him once.] Lockwood asks Nelly to continue her story—as he is interested in what happened after Heathcliff
ran off in Chapter IX.
 Nelly begins her story again on page 94 with the break in the page—“I got Miss Catherine . . .” Explain the
metaphor about the honeysuckles and the thorn at the end of that first paragraph of her narrative. Notice the
abrupt end to this almost idyllic marriage on page 95 with the paragraph beginning, “It ended.” What caused
an end to this wedded bliss? How does Catherine respond to Heathcliff’s absence? How long has he been
gone? How does Edgar Linton respond to Heathcliff? What is your response to the welcome of Heathcliff by
Catherine and Edgar?
 How has Heathcliff “transformed” according to Nelly? Why does Heathcliff say he has come home? Does he
tell where he has been or what he has been doing? Where is Heathcliff staying? Who invited him to stay there?
Why? Do you agree with Nelly when he says on page 101, “You’re mistaken, Mrs. Linton”? Why?
 Look closely at the last paragraph on page 103—it seems that Isabella Linton (Edgar’s sister) has become
infatuated with Heathcliff. Why would this be of concern to Edgar—especially concerning inheritance?
[Remember that England has laws of primogeniture—what does that mean?] What do you think of the quarrel
between Catherine and Isabella concerning Heathcliff? Do you think that Catherine’s advice on page 105 (last
paragraph) to Isabella is wise? What news of Wuthering Heights does Nelly learn from Joseph? When
Heathcliff visits Catherine and Isabella beginning on page 108—what did you think of Catherine’s comments
about Isabella’s love of Heathcliff? Does Isabella deserve such embarrassment? Look closely at what
Heathcliff says on page110 about Isabella being Edgar’s heir? What is Catherine’s response? What does this
question suggest to you about Heathcliff’s motives?
 Who is “him” in the first paragraph on page 112? Look at the map enclosed in this handout to see where the
signpost is located that Nelly describes on this page. What does Hareton do when Nelly visits Wuthering
Heights? Why does Hareton say he likes Heathcliff—remember that later in the novel—Hareton will remain
loyal to Heathcliff to the bitter end. Does this strike you as odd or unnatural? Why does Nelly call Heathcliff a
“Judas! Traitor!” on page 115? Does Catherine have a right to be upset with Heathcliff for kissing Isabella?
What do you think Heathcliff means at the bottom of page 116—“That’s not the plan.” What is his plan? Look
closely at the confrontation between Heathcliff and Edgar on pages 117-121. Is Edgar a coward? What do you
think of Catherine’s role in this fray? Is Edgar justified in his question on page 122?
 Chapter XII is an interesting one. Is Catherine feigning illness or is she really sick? What do you think of
Edgar spending all that time in the library? This lack of talking bothers me—all are a bit too proud in my
opinion. What do you think of Nelly—she seems to me to enjoy this control over the house. Do you think she
knows how sick Catherine is? When Catherine walks outside, she says she can see what across the moors to
Wuthering Heights? [You know that would not be possible!] Once it is discovered that Catherine is ill and in
need of a doctor, Nelly is sent to Gimmerton for Kenneth [the doctor]. What does she discover in the garden
when she leaves? Once it is discovered that Isabella has run away with Heathcliff, what is your response to
Edgar’s pronouncement about his sister? Is that fair?
 How much time has passed at the beginning of Chapter XIII? So Catherine is improving. Were you surprised
to learn that she is pregnant? Why does Brontë keep mentioning the heir that might be born? Do you think that
is going to become an important issue in this novel—you bet it will!
 Now—don’t be overly incredulous—this is a nineteenth century novel, and letters play important roles in these
novels. How convenient that Nelly should have this eleven-page letter from Isabella handy enough to read to
Mr. Lockwood in Nelly’s narrative. I know it is a bit too unbelievable, but go with it—OK. Do you feel sorry
for Isabella or does she deserve this treatment from Joseph, Hareton, Hindley, and Heathcliff—I hope you say
no—no one deserves such treatment—not even a woman stupid enough to run away with Heathcliff deserves
such. Look on page 145—what does Isabella covet on this page? Why does Hindley not throw Heathcliff out
of his house? [what does he mean he “will have it back”?] When Isabella throws her bowl of porridge down
and breaks the container, why does Joseph call her Miss Cathy?
 Chapter XIV is an interesting one. Edgar refuses to send Isabella a token of his love, yet he allows Ellen to
visit her at Wuthering Heights. I think Nelly’s visit is most interesting. Pay close attention to what Heathcliff
says to her about his love for Catherine and Catherine’s love for him—especially his comparison to Edgar. Do
you think he is right? All this is very consistent with what Catherine told Nelly the night she told her that she
would marry Edgar but would always love Heathcliff. It is a strange relationship no doubt, but you need to
read closely and try to understand what Brontë intends—because this relationship is key in determining the
outcome of the novel. So read this section closely. Do you think that Nelly was wrong in arranging a time for
Heathcliff to visit Catherine? Do you think such a visit will “kill” her as Nelly suggests?
 Notice in Chapter XV that Mr. Lockwood continues the narrative that Nelly has told him in the week since the
end of Chapter XIV. How are Catherine and Nelly alone in the house so that Heathcliff can come for his visit?
Pay close attention to this dialogue between Heathcliff and Catherine. I will be curious to hear your response.
Emily Brontë grew up reading Lord Byron—so this passionate, all-consuming kind of love would be familiar
in the literature that she read, but I always wonder when I read this if she might not have experienced it herself
to write about it so vividly and passionately. According to the biographies of her that I have read, she did not
have such a relationship—she was rather reclusive and preferred the company of the moors and her animals to
that of society. I know that when she studied French in Brussels with her sister Charlotte, that she became so
homesick for the moors and her home that she returned after only a few months there. Look closely at the
paragraph on page 166 beginning, “Oh, you see, Nelly, he would not relent . . .” What does this description of
her spirit after death suggest to you? After Heathcliff speaks to her on page 167, how did you feel toward him?
Heathcliff is an interesting character—I sometimes feel sorry for him if I remember he is an orphan and the
treatment he received from Hindley—but then I remember he is an adult. I think this complexity of both
Catherine and Heathcliff is one of the reasons these two characters have endured so long in literature and have
been so attractive to readers. What do you think? [Look closely at the bottom of page 166—what does
Heathcliff do when he has Catherine in his arms and Nelly approaches the sofa to move Catherine back to
bed?]
 Chapter XVI—a short chapter but an important one. Make sure you understand what Nelly means concerning
old Mr. Linton’s mistake in the third paragraph on page 170. You may need to look at the glossary for Chapter
XVI for full understanding. Who is Catherine and Linton’s child that is born—where have you seen her
before? Notice Nelly’s description of Catherine and thoughts on the peacefulness of the corpse—rather morbid
I thought! What does Heathcliff do when Nelly slips out at dawn to tell him that she has died? Does he already
know it? What does he do that Nelly thinks he has done previously because of the dried blood she sees on the
tree bark? When Heathcliff slips in to the parlor to see the corpse of Catherine—what has he done with a
locket around her neck? What does Nelly do when she sees the light hair on the floor? Whose hair is light?
Whose is dark? What is interesting about where Catherine is buried? This will be important later in the novel.
 Please note that Catherine dies on March 20, 1784—and Catherine (I call her Cathy) was born on March 20,
1784. What is significant about the date March 20?
 Chapter XVII—this is a fairly long chapter that serves as a transitional chapter from the first generation to the
second generation. Notice the change in weather after Catherine’s funeral. Who enters this evening laughing?
Why is she laughing? Notice the story that she tells of her treatment at Wuthering Heights. What does she say
that Heathcliff did this past week—the week of Catherine’s death and funeral? Notice that Isabella reiterates
what we have seen and heard before—“He’s not a human being.” (178) When Hindley locks Heathcliff out of
Wuthering Heights, what is his plan when he opens the door? What does Isabella say to Heathcliff the next
morning that infuriates him so much? What does he do? Who prevents him from pursuing Isabella? Where
does Isabella go to live once she leaves Thrushcross Grange that night? What does she name the son that is
born to her? [remember that Heathcliff is his father!] What does Edgar name his daughter? How long after
Catherine’s death is Hindley’s death? How long does Isabella live—how old is Linton? When Nelly visits the
lawyer, she learns that who is now in possession of Wuthering Heights? How did he get control? Look on
page 193—what does Heathcliff mean in the second paragraph? [“now, my bonny lad, you are mine! And
we’ll see if one. .”]
Chapters XVIII-XXV (pages 194-268)
 How many years have passed since the end of Chapter XVI? How does Nelly describe them? Who is Cathy’s
horse? What is Cathy most interested in seeing, but her father denies her. When Isabella writes to Edgar, why
does she wish him to come to her? How long is Edgar gone on his visit to Isabella’s? What does Cathy do one
day when she pretends to be an Arabian merchant crossing the Desert? How old is Hareton now if Cathy is 13?
Please note how rough and country he is, but it is also important to see him as a kind person. How does Cathy
feel toward him at the beginning? Where does he accompany her? What does she say that offends him? Once
he is initially over his anger at being insulted, what does he offer Cathy as a peace offering? Does she accept
it? What does the maid at Wuthering Heights tell Cathy concerning her relationship with Hareton? Please note
Nelly’s metaphor on page 202 concerning Hareton—the metaphor compares weeds to what? (in the last
paragraph on page 202)
 Chapter XIX—Why does Edgar Linton return with only Linton from London? How does Nelly describe
Linton Heathcliff? Who comes for him the first evening that he spends at Thrushcross Grange? Will he leave
the following day? Chapter XX is a rather sad and scary chapter to me—I feel sorry for young Linton even
though he does seem to be a bit of a crybaby. I cannot imagine being taken to live at Wuthering Heights with
Joseph, Hareton, and Heathcliff. What do you think is Heathcliff’s plan? Why do you think he wishes to have
Linton live with him? Look at what he tells Nelly at the bottom of page 214—that might be the reason.
 Why is Cathy so sad at the beginning of Chapter XXI? What does Nelly learn about young Linton from the
housekeeper at Wuthering Heights? What does she tell Nelly about Hareton? How do Cathy and Nelly wind
up at Wuthering Heights on March 20? Look closely at Heathcliff’s “design” at the bottom of page 221. Do
you think what he wishes will come true? I know it sounds odd to suggest that cousins would marry, but it
wasn’t that unusual in very rural areas in the 19th century—there wasn’t anyone else around. I am always
amused by the possibility of kindness in Heathcliff when it suits him—notice how kind he is to Cathy, but more
importantly notice the effect it has on her. When Linton and Cathy make fun of Hareton for not being able to
read the letters written above the door at Wuthering Heights—do you remember what is written there—you saw
it when Mr. Lockwood read it in the first chapter—how do you think Brontë wants us to feel concerning
Hareton? Be able to explain how Cathy and Linton correspond with each other despite Nelly’s watchful eye.
Why is Cathy crying when Nelly secures a promise from her that she will no longer write to Linton? What is
unusual about Linton’s letters—what does that suggest to Nelly?
 How does Edgar catch a bad cold in Chapter XXII? Explain how Cathy meets Heathcliff outside the walls of
Thrushcross Park while Nelly is on the other side of the wall. What does Heathcliff tell Cathy about her cousin
Linton? Is it believable? This chapter ends with Nelly walking beside Cathy and her pony Minny on their way
to visit whom?
 I’m curious what you will think of Cathy and Linton’s meeting in Chapter XXIII. Can you imagine loving
someone as Cathy appears to in spite of the hateful comments Linton says to her? I sometimes feel so anxious
and confused when I read this novel and this scene in particular. When I consider how small Cathy and
Linton’s experiences and worlds are, I have more sympathy for their actions, but still, I’m frustrated with the
animosity I sense between them and also the attraction I know they feel. I don’t know if you have ever had
friends (or maybe you have been in a similar situation) where attraction was so strong yet so repulsive at the
same time. I once had a neighbor who was involved in a love-hate relationship similar to these in Wuthering
Heights—so maybe I have a bit more sympathy—but I hope you can have some compassion for Cathy’s
dilemma and at the same time have some sympathy for Linton—otherwise I don’t think this novel works.
What did you think of the exchange between Linton and Cathy when they argue over their parents who they
loved and whom they didn’t love. I find that exchange very juvenile—but I think it is exactly what Brontë
wants—this is not the love that she wishes to end the novel with—that’s still to come. When Linton complains
 that Hareton laughs at him—don’t forget that he and Cathy laughed at him in an earlier chapter for not knowing
his letters. Students have a tendency to dislike Hareton—I think Brontë wants us to have sympathy for him.
 In Chapter XXIV, Nelly Dean is ill for three weeks—while she is ill Edgar Linton is also ill, and Cathy nurses
both of them during the day. What does she do as soon as they retire to their respective rooms for the evening?
Look at the differences in Linton and Cathy as they describe their different concepts of heaven on page 255—
this is almost exactly the difference between Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange. Earlier I said that
Brontë wants the reader to sympathize with Hareton—I think this is most evident on page 257 when he spells
his name (Hareton Earnshaw)—the name that is written above the door—but he cannot read the numbers. Note
what Linton and Cathy call him again—a dunce. On page 259 Linton falls to the floor and coughs until he
coughs up blood—that would be a sure signal to the 19th century reader that something is going to happen to
Linton. Can you guess what? Remember that Zillah is the name of the housekeeper at Wuthering Heights now.
 Nelly says at the beginning of Chapter XXV that she cannot believe that what she is now telling Mr. Lockwood
only happened one year ago. She then asks Lockwood if he is not interested romantically in Cathy—he admits
that he is, but suggests that she is not interested in him. I sometimes think Edgar Linton is a bit too passive, but
I do like him in this chapter. He tells Nelly that he doesn’t care if Heathcliff inherits Thrushcross—what he is
most interested in is Cathy’s happiness. He wonders if Linton would be a worthy husband. Brontë—as a
female—understood all too well the limitations afforded women who had no property. She and her sisters at
one time—when their father was quite ill and they feared he would die—tried to start a boarding school for
girls, but no students ever came. They knew as single women without property (their father was a curate, a
priest) or a profession they would have little possibility of surviving. So I think it is understandable that Edgar
is concerned that Cathy marry Linton so that she can be assured of remaining at Thrushcross Grange. Linton
will inherit Thrushcross Grange at Edgar’s death because of the laws of primogeniture. But Edgar does not
know the physical condition of Linton—but we do—we saw him cough up blood last chapter. Nelly tells Mr.
Lockwood at the end of this chapter that she cannot suspect Heathcliff was compelling his dying child to
express love for Cathy as part of “his avaricious and unfeeling plans.”
Chapters XXVI-XXXIV (pages 268-349)
 I hope I don’t spoil the suspense of what is happening by my observations and questions, but I think
Heathcliff’s plan is obvious based on Linton’s comments in Chapter XXVI when Linton and Cathy meet on the
moor. I haven’t said much about the moors that surround Haworth. I was there one summer—it is an
interesting landscape—different from anything I have experienced before. The hills are not high enough to be
called mountains, yet they do have some height—they are covered in very little grass but a plant called heath.
The dictionary tells me that heath is a shrubby dicotyledonous that thrives on open barren usually acid and ill-
drained soil. The second definition indicates that heath is an extensive area of rather level open uncultivated
land usually with poor coarse soil, inferior drainage, and a surface rich in peat or peaty humus. I remember
walking most of the afternoon that I visited Haworth on these moors—I felt as if I were on top of the world—
the view is vast. The setting was lonely—even though I could see small villages or barns and farmhouses in the
distance—the surroundings felt isolated. The wind blew that afternoon—and sometimes it would be very
sunny, but within minutes dark clouds would race across the sky and I was certain I would be drenched in a
downpour—but it never rained. I intended to walk from Haworth—the village where the Brontë parsonage/
visitor center is located to Top Withens—the house believed to be the model for Wuthering Heights, but the
threat of rain and a 6:30 train ride back to London prevented my making it all the way. But as I walked I was
reminded of these passages from Wuthering Heights—especially those descriptions of Penistone Craggs from
the first generation and also from this section. If you watch any of the movies—and there are many—of
Wuthering Heights, the directors use this setting to show the developing relationship between Catherine and
Heathcliff and Cathy and Linton.
 Chapter XXVII is a very violent chapter. I am always surprised when I read it even though I know it is
coming. I wonder if you were surprised by Heathcliff’s actions or if Brontë has sufficiently prepared you for
what he will do. Anyway—I don’t want to spoil the surprise if you read my comments before you read the
chapter—so my comments are brief. But I hope you pay attention to the details here because they are important
in making this scene plausible, and in my opinion this scene must be believable. I especially like how Brontë
keeps us “locked up” in the garret with Nelly those five days—we can only imagine what is happening
downstairs as well as back at Thrushcross Grange. Any speculations? [Were you surprised when Cathy said she
would willingly marry Linton or that she said her father favored such a union?]
 Chapter XXVIII is another violent chapter. As I read this chapter again, I thought of a poster that once hung in
the mailroom. The poster was red, a dark red—with outlines of a huge hand and arm, in the background a
female was shrinking away from that hand and arm. The caption beneath the image was, “Love should not
hurt.” I think Brontë wants us to see here the results of this destructive, all-consuming love that characterized
the love between the first Catherine and Heathcliff. I am also reminded of the final lines of Romeo and Juliet,
when the narrator states: “These violent delights have violent ends/ and in their triumph die, like fire and
powder,/ Which, as they kiss, consume.” When we read love stories, we normally think of happy, romantic
loves with a few pitfalls—but this is definitely not the typical love story—but it might still be. We still have
several chapters to go—if you have been a careful reader and paid attention—you might already see where this
 narrative is headed. Anyway—make sure you understand what Edgar planned to do with Cathy’s fortune—he
has no control over Thrushcross Grange; the estate will automatically go to Linton—but he has put aside some
money for her—but notice how Heathcliff makes sure that that money is not given to trustees for Cathy. Pay
attention to the role Mr. Green plays in this chapter. How old was Edgar when he died?
 Chapter XXIX marks a drastic change in tone—Cathy and Nelly sit alone in the library mourning over Edgar’s
death and what shall happen to the two of them. That feeling of violence and agitation that characterized the
preceding couple of chapters is gone here. Even Heathcliff is different when he enters to announce that Cathy
must return to Wuthering Heights to care for her new husband Linton. Why does he say he cannot allow her to
remain at Thrushcross Grange? I want you to look closely at what Cathy says about her love for Linton on
pages 295 and 296—I think these quotes are crucial to the theme of love that Brontë wishes us to take away
from this novel. Please note on page 296 what Cathy says to Heathcliff about having no one to love him in the
paragraph beginning, “I know he has a bad nature.” What portrait does Heathcliff remove from above the
fireplace and direct Nelly to send over to the Heights tomorrow? I realize that Heathcliff’s actions as he relates
them to us and Nelly are very morbid, bordering on psychopathic, but I always find myself feeling somewhat
sorry for him. I know I vacillate in my opinions and feelings of Heathcliff—but when he tells Nelly about
having the sexton remove Catherine’s coffin lid so he can see her on the day that Edgar’s grave is dug, I feel
sorry for him. Make sure you understand what he has the sexton do with the side of her coffin—and what he
pays the sexton to do to the side of his coffin when he dies. I draw it for you below:

Heathcliff’s Coffin
Edgar’s Coffin

Catherine’s Coffin

 What did you think of what Heathcliff describes that he does the night that Catherine was buried? Notice
 how he talks about her spirit and how he has felt it on many times. Again I think it is important for you to
 see that most often this spirit torments Heathcliff—it is not a warm, compassionate feeling at all.
 Chapter XXX is interesting in that since Nelly is not allowed to visit Wuthering Heights or call upon Cathy,
Brontë must rely upon a second narrator—Zillah in this case—to tell Nelly who will tell Mr. Lockwood and us
what has happened since Cathy went to live at Wuthering Heights. Zillah is probably no better a narrator than
Nelly is since it is clear that she is prejudiced against certain characters also. Anyway—read carefully the final
days of Linton and his death. Do you feel sorry for him? He is a troublesome character for me—I’m usually a
sucker for the underdog in a story, but I have difficulty finding much sympathy or compassion for Linton—he’s
a whiner and is mean, even when he could show some kindness. I know that Heathcliff is responsible for
Linton’s behavior, but he did live until he was almost 14 with his mother—didn’t any of her gentility or
kindness rub off on him at all? Also pay attention to Hareton and his advances of kindness toward Cathy. I
hope you feel sorry for him—I know Cathy has been through a great deal, but she could be a bit kinder to him.
This also marks the end of Nelly’s narration.
 Chapter XXXI—Mr. Lockwood is the “I” now—the new narrator—he will narrate the remainder of the novel.
Things haven’t changed much since we last saw Cathy at Wuthering Heights—but there has been some
progress. At least she is downstairs and helping with meal preparations. She is still rather sulky and irritable,
but I can understand that. I wish she and Hareton could be more civil. Look at these two paragraphs about
Hareton: page 310—“The young man evidently thought. . .” and page 311—“But his self-love would endure no
further torment.” Look closely at the first full paragraph on page 312—who does Heathcliff mean when he says
that he sees “her” in Hareton’s face—he says when he looks in Hareton’s face he expects to see his father, but
he sees “her” more and more. Who is “her”? Mr. Lockwood informs Heathcliff that he is leaving and will go
where? The chapter ends with Lockwood wishing what?
 Notice the date at the beginning of Chapter XXXII—1802? What was the date at the beginning of Chapter I?
Who is the “I” narrator? Once Mr. Lockwood has ordered arrangements at Thrushcross Grange he walks to
Wuthering Heights. Pay close attention to the description and the changes at Wuthering Heights—look at the
paragraph beginning “I had neither to climb the gate nor to knock” on page 316. I know you will laugh at me
and I admit I am an incurable romantic, but I love the description of what Mr. Lockwood see as he looks in the
window at Wuthering Heights from the garden. Were you surprised—probably not—I have hinted at such
several times. How long has Heathcliff been dead—you will hear of his final days in the next chapter. But for
the time we are going to hear the story of Cathy and Hareton’s reconciliation. I always enjoy reading this story
told by Nelly. I hope it is believable to you and not too farfetched! I too will be happy if what Nelly wishes in
the final paragraph on page 326 comes true as well. I think one of the reasons I like the ending to this book is
the feeling of resolution that comes with it. Up to this point, little happiness has been witnessed, so some
happy, gentle moments are well received.
 Chapter XXXIII—well the narrative is slowly winding down—can you feel it? I love those old 19th century
novels—they are rather predictable I admit—but there is something comforting in knowing that events will
come to a comfortable conclusion—this happily ever after ending will be accomplished. Even though I know
that will happen—I do think there is a deeper meaning to each of these novels, and Wuthering Heights is no
different—and understanding Brontë’s purpose is important. The transfer of materials from Wuthering Heights
to Thrushcross Grange and Thrushcross Grange to Wuthering Heights is important. Notice at the beginning of
this chapter what Cathy and Hareton are doing outside. These gooseberry and currant bushes are natural bushes
—representative of the wild side that is characteristic of Wuthering Heights—they are going to transfer some
flowers from the Grange here—the flowers at the Grange would be domestic/cultivated, not growing in the
wild. Pay attention to this transfer as you read these final two chapters. Notice on page 330 ff. the violence of
Heathcliff and how temperate it has become. Why do you think on page 331 that he does not slap her—he has
his hand drawn to do so? I always hope that Hareton will stand up to him, but I think that I agree with Brontë
that it would not be consistent with Hareton’s character. Anyway—notice how abruptly Heathcliff’s violence
and anger diminishes. How old are Cathy and Hareton? What does Nelly tell us about the similarities in
appearance (page 333)? Who do the two favor most? Look closely at Heathcliff’s long speech on pages 334-
336—where he explains to Nelly how he has lost his interest in seeking revenge and in making Hareton and
Cathy miserable. Again, Heathcliff is a pitiful character to me—I feel sorry for his history even though I don’t
like all the pain and misery he has caused. I wonder if you have any sympathy for him. You know that
Heathcliff is dead—Nelly told Mr. Lockwood when he got there at the beginning of this conversation—so I
don’t think it is surprising that he is dying. Notice that he slowly dies as Cathy and Hareton’s love slowly
grows.
 Chapter XXXIV—the last chapter. I think the best chapter is the one before this, but we must dispense of
Heathcliff. It is fairly obvious that he has willed himself to death—how do you explain his death? I love the
fourth paragraph on page 337—notice how everyone is getting along. Cathy even agrees to move her flower-
beds to satisfy Joseph’s complaints. Where does Heathcliff die? What sounds does Nelly distinguish from that
room? What was your response to Nelly’s talking to Heathcliff about his history and about salvation? I don’t
find that very consistent with Nelly’s character—do you? Who weeps the most for Heathcliff’s death? When
are Hareton and Cathy going to marry? Where will they live once they marry?