Wuthering Heights

Main Characters and Their Development

• Heathcliff: An orphan raised by the Earnshaw family. In childhood, he was close to Catherine Earnshaw, but after Mr. Earnshaw's death, his life becomes harder due to Hindley Earnshaw's mistreatment. Heathcliff leaves to return wealthy and vengeful. His love for Catherine and thirst for revenge drive his actions throughout the book.
• Catherine Earnshaw: Mr. Earnshaw's daughter, who grows up with Heathcliff. She loves Heathcliff but marries Edgar Linton for social status. Her internal conflict between her love for Heathcliff and her desire to be a lady leads to tragic consequences.
• Edgar Linton: The wealthy and refined neighbor of the Earnshaw family. He marries Catherine and sincerely loves her despite her feelings for Heathcliff. Edgar represents the opposite of Heathcliff: he is kind, gentle, and civilized.
• Isabella Linton: Edgar's sister, who falls in love with Heathcliff and marries him, unaware of his true nature. Her marriage to Heathcliff is unhappy, and she eventually leaves to save herself and her son.
• Hindley Earnshaw: Catherine's older brother, who hates Heathcliff and treats him cruelly after their father's death. His life spirals downward after his wife's death, and he becomes an alcoholic and gambler.
• Nelly Dean: The housekeeper who serves the Earnshaw and Linton families. She is the narrator of much of the story and plays an important role in the lives of all the main characters.
• Linton Heathcliff: The son of Heathcliff and Isabella. He is weak and sickly, and his father uses him in his revenge plans. Linton marries young Catherine Linton, but their marriage is also unhappy.
• Catherine Linton: The daughter of Catherine Earnshaw and Edgar Linton. She inherits her mother's beauty and spirit but grows up in a more sheltered environment. Her life intertwines with Heathcliff and his son, and she eventually finds happiness with Hareton Earnshaw.
• Hareton Earnshaw: The son of Hindley Earnshaw, who grows up under Heathcliff's influence. Despite harsh treatment and lack of education, he retains kindness and eventually finds love and understanding with Catherine Linton.