Wuthering Heights Characters List

Wuthering Heights, a novel penned by Emily Brontë, offers a profound exploration of passion and vengeance set against the bleak and windswept English moors of Yorkshire. The Wuthering Heights characters list features individuals as complex and enduring as the landscape they inhabit. Brontë’s only published novel, first released in 1847 under the pseudonym Ellis Bell, presents a tangled web of relationships and social commentary, rendering an intricate portrayal of the human psyche.

The inhabitants of Wuthering Heights and the neighboring Thrushcross Grange form the core cast of Brontë’s narrative. Each character is meticulously crafted, with the protagonists Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw demonstrating the extreme emotions and tumultuous nature of their environment. The novel’s structure, primarily a narrative recounted by the housekeeper, Ellen “Nelly” Dean, to the visitor, Mr. Lockwood, allows readers to uncover the layers of character dynamics as the story unfolds.

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1. Wuthering Heights Characters

Wuthering Heights features a range of characters that play pivotal roles in the unfolding drama of love, revenge, and social standing. Their complex relationships drive the narrative and take the reader through a whirlwind of emotions.

Heathcliff

Heathcliff is an orphan brought to Wuthering Heights by Mr. Earnshaw. As a child, he forms a strong bond with Catherine Earnshaw but is treated cruelly by Hindley Earnshaw after Mr. Earnshaw’s death. His love for Catherine defines his character, and his subsequent actions are fueled by a desire for revenge against those he believes have wronged him. Heathcliff’s journey from a rejected orphan to a wealthy, vengeful man is a central theme of the novel. He often symbolizes the wild and natural elements of the moors.

Characteristics:

• Status: Brought to Wuthering Heights by Mr. Earnshaw, never formally adopted
• Relationships: In love with Catherine Earnshaw; enemy of Hindley Earnshaw

You might be interested: Heathcliff Character Analysis

Catherine Earnshaw

Catherine is the spirited and headstrong daughter of Mr. Earnshaw and the sister of Hindley Earnshaw. She shares a profound connection with Heathcliff but also aspires to rise within the social classes, which influences her marriage to Edgar Linton. Her decision is influenced by societal pressure and her belief that marrying Edgar will allow her to help Heathcliff. Catherine’s internal struggle between her love for Heathcliff and her desire for social status leads to her emotional turmoil and eventual demise. She represents the untamed, passionate side of human nature, often associated with the wildness of the moors.

Characteristics:

• Status: Daughter of Mr. Earnshaw; later becomes Catherine Earnshaw Linton
• Relationships: Heathcliff’s love interest; Edgar Linton’s wife

You might be interested: Catherine Earnshaw Character Analysis

Edgar Linton

Edgar is a refined and cultured gentleman from Thrushcross Grange. He marries Catherine Earnshaw, which further complicates the love triangle with Heathcliff. Edgar’s decent nature contrasts with Heathcliff’s dark demeanor. His gentle and compassionate nature makes him a foil to Heathcliff’s character. Edgar’s marriage to Catherine creates a rift between her and Heathcliff, setting the stage for much of the novel’s conflict.

Characteristics:

• Status: Wealthy resident of Thrushcross Grange
• Relationships: Catherine’s husband; Isabella’s brother

You might be interested: Edgar Linton Character Analysis

Isabella Linton

Isabella is Edgar Linton’s sister, who naively falls in love with Heathcliff without understanding his true nature. Her ill-fated marriage to Heathcliff brings her misery and illustrates Heathcliff’s capacity for cruelty when it serves his vengeance. Isabella’s romantic idealization of Heathcliff and her subsequent disillusionment highlight her naivety and innocence. Her experiences with Heathcliff lead to her growth and eventual independence from her brother and husband.

Characteristics:

• Status: Resident of Thrushcross Grange
• Relationships: Edgar’s sister; Heathcliff’s wife

You might be interested: Isabella Linton Character Analysis

Hindley Earnshaw

Hindley is the son of Mr. Earnshaw and Catherine’s elder brother. Following his father’s death, he inherits Wuthering Heights and subjects Heathcliff to harsh treatment. His life takes a downward spiral after the loss of his wife. Hindley’s descent into alcoholism and gambling following his wife’s death highlights his inability to cope with loss and his eventual ruin. His antagonistic relationship with Heathcliff stems from jealousy and resentment, which exacerbates the conflict in the novel.

Characteristics:

• Status: Catherine’s brother; original inheritor of Wuthering Heights
• Relationships: Antagonist to Heathcliff; father to Hareton Earnshaw

You might be interested: Hindley Earnshaw Character Analysis

Ellen ‘Nelly’ Dean

Nelly Dean serves as the chief narrator of Wuthering Heights and is a keen observer of events. Comfortably straddling the divide between the gentry and servants, Nelly is the housekeeper who bears witness to the lives and loves of the Earnshaw and Linton families. Her account shapes much of the narrative, giving readers insight into the complexities of the main characters. She is not just an observer but also a participant in the story, as her actions and decisions influence the course of events.

You might be interested: Nelly Dean Character Analysis

Cathy Linton

Cathy Linton, the daughter of Edgar Linton and Catherine Earnshaw, becomes a central figure in the latter part of the novel. Her character embodies the traits of both her parents and plays a crucial role in the resolution of intergenerational conflicts.

You might be interested: Cathy Linton Character Analysis

Hareton Earnshaw

Hareton Earnshaw, the last of the Earnshaw line, is depicted as an initially uneducated and rough around the edges character, yet possesses a noble heart. Despite being mistreated and displaced by Heathcliff, Hareton displays remarkable resilience, ultimately seeking to better himself and reclaim his rightful heritage.

You might be interested: Hareton Earnshaw Character Analysis

Linton Heathcliff

Linton Heathcliff represents the weaker side of the human spirit in contrast to his robust father, Heathcliff. He is physically frail and often emotionally manipulative—a product of both nurture and nature. Linton’s own tragic arc within the novel is a testament to Heathcliff’s cold strategy of revenge and the effects of an oppressive upbringing. His character serves to further the plot of Heathcliff’s revenge against the Lintons and Earnshaws.

You might be interested: Linton Heathcliff Character Analysis

Frances Earnshaw

Frances Earnshaw is Hindley’s delicate wife, whose short-lived presence in the novel has lasting consequences. Her frail health and eventual passing leave an indelible mark on Hindley, propelling him into a downward spiral of despair and exacerbating the oppressive atmosphere at Wuthering Heights. Her marriage to Hindley and her subsequent death contribute to the decline of the Earnshaw family and the increasing misery at Wuthering Heights.

You might be interested: Frances Earnshaw Character Analysis

Joseph

Joseph is the cantankerous servant at Wuthering Heights, known for his religious fervor and unsympathetic nature. His strict adherence to his brand of religion often brings him into conflict with the other characters, yet his presence is a constant within the tumultuous household.

You might be interested: Joseph Character Analysis

Mr. Earnshaw

Mr. Earnshaw is the patriarch of the Earnshaw family and the original owner of Wuthering Heights. His decision to bring Heathcliff into his home sets off a chain of events that shape the course of the novel.

You might be interested: Mr. Earnshaw Character Analysis

Mrs. Earnshaw

Mrs. Earnshaw is the wife of Mr. Earnshaw and the mother of Hindley and Catherine. She is mentioned briefly in the novel and is not a central figure in the story.

Mr. Linton

Mr. Linton is the father of Edgar and Isabella Linton and the owner of Thrushcross Grange. He represents the gentler, more refined side of society in contrast to the ruggedness of Wuthering Heights.

Mrs. Linton

Mrs. Linton is the mother of Edgar and Isabella Linton. Like her husband, she is associated with the civilized and cultured world of Thrushcross Grange.

Mr. Lockwood

Mr. Lockwood is the frame narrator of the novel, who rents Thrushcross Grange and becomes intrigued by the story of Wuthering Heights. His interactions with the inhabitants of Wuthering Heights serve as the catalyst for the unfolding of the novel’s narrative.

You might be interested: Mr. Lockwood Character Analysis

Zillah

Zillah is a servant at Wuthering Heights who takes care of the household after Nelly Dean moves to Thrushcross Grange. She provides a level of continuity and stability in the household during its tumultuous times.

You might be interested: Zillah Character Analysis

Mr. Green

Mr. Green is the lawyer involved in the legal affairs of the Linton and Earnshaw families. His actions have significant implications for the inheritance and property rights in the novel.

You might be interested: Mr. Green Character Analysis

Dr. Kenneth

Dr. Kenneth is the local doctor who attends to various characters throughout the novel. He provides a professional perspective on the physical and mental health issues that arise in the story.