Wuthering Heights Characters

Wuthering Heights Characters
Characters make up the skeleton of a story. They convey the authors’ ideas,
beliefs, and relationships with the people and things around them. Major
characters in Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte are interesting and thought-
provoking due to the depth of meanings they convey through their
conversation and actions. Some of the major characters of Wuthering
Heights have been discussed below.
Characters in Wuthering Heights

Character #1
Heathcliff
Heathcliff is a highly mysterious, anti-hero around whom the whole story

the novel revolves. His character defies all the avenues of understanding his
personality as an orphan brought up in a mansion. His unkindness surpasses
almost all his positive traits. Heathcliff takes revenge against every other
character, including Catherine and Edgar. A sadist in his own words, he
tortures Isabella Linton just for the sake of enjoyment. Despite living with
Hindley and Cathy after Earnshaw brings him home, he does not hesitate to
hurt them even for minor errors. Eventually, he starts treating others badly.
This proves that the maltreatment received to him from Hindley and Cathy
during his childhood had changed him to a bitter person. It only fades when he
sees Catherine flirting with Hareton and embraces death peacefully. He
wins sympathy for the life and losses he had endured. However, his behavior
doesn’t justify the reasons when he mistreats others.
Character #2
Catherine
Catherine is an even-tempered, kind, and generous who attains prominence

because of her different nature unlike that of her mother, Cathy. Despite living
a secluded and sheltered life, she understands Heathcliff’s heartless and rude
behavior towards Hareton, her cousin. However, it does not show her wisdom
in identifying the true characters of a person. She falls in love with Linton, who
ditches her when Heathcliff threatens him. Despite her decision to marry him,
she chooses to take care of him until his death. She finally comes to Hareton
when she is tired of isolation at Wuthering Height. Also, Heathcliff abandon’s
her by taking the whole property. With her cousins’ help, she finally returns
after gaining the property after Heathcliff dies.
Character #3
Mrs. Dean
Mrs. Dean or Nelly Dean is the narrator of the story when she explains the full
history of Heathcliff to Mr. Lockwood. On a few occasions, her narration is
biased as she begins to recollect her personal relationships with the
characters. Despite performing her servant role, she is still considered a foster
sister to Cathy, Heathcliff, and Hindley. Throughout the novel, she is known
for her caring and compassionate nature. She stays loyal to Cathy from her
marriage while caring for her daughter, Catherine. She becomes important, for
she is not only the caretaker but also a very loyal protector of the family.
Character #4
Edgar
Edgar is the owner of Thrushcross Grange. He extremely snobbish young

man though he becomes kind and gentle while he is growing up. Edgar
decides to marry Cathy and stays loyal to her throughout his life. Edgar is
partially the reason for Cathy’s death when he picks up a brawl with Heathcliff
merely for jealousy. That is why he becomes wary of Heathcliff in later life to
save his daughter from his likely revenge. Ironically, his fears prove true when
he dies, and Heathcliff takes charge of Thrushcross Grange.
Character #5
Hareton
Hareton is Catherine’s cousin, who loses his father shortly after he loses his
mother. He is a very interesting character and lives a simple life. Hareton
knows nothing about the upper-class society and cultured manners. He gets
offended easily and has a very kind heart. However, when he meets
Catherine, he comes to know about his brutish manners, which make him
shun society and education. When they are forced to live at Wuthering
Heights, he surrenders to before the very girl he has hated. Catherine teaches
him to read and write, including manners. Eventually, they fall in love with
each other.
Character #6
Hindley Earnshaw
Hindley is Mr. Earnshaw’s son and Catherine’s brother. He resents the arrival
of Heathcliff. Once Mr. Earnshaw dies, he abuses Heathcliff. Later, it costs
him dearly when Heathcliff becomes master of Wuthering Heights. He lapses
into depression and alcohol consumption later when his wife dies, leaving him
and his son Hareton alone. Eventually, Hindley also succumbs to grief and
dies shortly.
Character #7
Linton Heathcliff
Linton is Isabella and Heathcliff’s son. He is always weak, whimpering and

physically ill. Linton never relates to his father. He stays away from his
jealousy, stricken nature for most of his childhood years. He comes to live with
him only when his mother leaves him for good. Linton does not like his father.
However, Heathcliff exploits Linton’s innocence to marry him to Catherine and
strengthen his hold on Thrushcross Grange. After months after his marriage,
Linton dies.
Character #8
Isabella Linton
Isabella Linton, Edgar Linton’s sister, marries Heathcliff out of this love. At
first, Isabella perceives Heathcliff as an imaginary romantic character from a
novel. However, later she realizes that she had ruined her prospects.
Heathcliff does not love her back. She is abused by Heathcliff to exact
revenge from the Linton family. She is unable to understand the world around
her, the reason that she falls into the trap of Mr. Heathcliff. However, after
marrying him, she radically changes into a hysterical and delirious person.
Character #9
Mr. Earnshaw
Mr. Earnshaw is Hindley’s and Catherine’s father. He adopts Heathcliff and

brings him to his home. However, his family refuses to accept Heathcliff and
mistreat him. Although he prefers Heathcliff over Hindley. He gives Wuthering
Heights to Hindley.
Character #10
Mr. Linton
Mr. Linton is the husband of Catherin Earnshaw. He also suffers along with
other characters at the hands of Heathcliff. He had also treated Heathcliff
badly during his childhood. However, one thing about him is praiseworthy that
despite heavy odds against him. Mr. Linton raises his children in the best
possible circumstances.

Wuthering Heights Characters

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Wuthering Heights Characters

Characters in Wuthering Heights

Heathcliff is a highly mysterious, anti-hero around whom the whole story

Catherine is an even-tempered, kind, and generous who attains prominence

Edgar is the owner of Thrushcross Grange. He extremely snobbish young

Linton is Isabella and Heathcliff’s son. He is always weak, whimpering and

Mr. Earnshaw is Hindley’s and Catherine’s father. He adopts Heathcliff and

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