Emily Bronte’s

Wuthering Heights, A Character Analysis by: Peter, Maddy, Laura, Amelia, and Boston

Heathcliff -Protagonist -Initially developed by Mr. Lockwood ↳“Charming” at first, then described as “evil”

-Evil character continued through Nelly -Romantic hero/villain, byronic hero (able to adapt, emotionally conflicted, moody, mysterious, magnetic and charismatic, outcast/outlaw) -Gypsy, demonic tendencies -He is an intriguing character because all of these factors force the reader to understand Heathcliff

Catherine the elder -Character initially developed by Mr. Lockwood as the frightening spirit from his “dream” -We then find out that Heathcliff loves her deeply -Her character is further developed by Nelly as a beautiful young girl, but with a bad temper and a heart much like

Heathcliff’s (from hitting/abusing her) -Romantic hero/villain -Intrigued by her love of both Edgar and Heathcliff; if she

will ever be with her true love

Hindle y -Character developed in the retelling of Nelly’s story

-Initially described as being a territorial young boy, (he didn’t like that Heathcliff was the favourite of Mr. Earnshaw), but his temper worsens over the course of the story -Described in his youth as merely selfish and jealous, however he developed later into a spiteful, abusive drunk -His rivalry with Heathcliff for his father’s affections greatly affected his later life

Nelly (Ellen) Dean

-One of three servants in the novel

-Unreliable narrator

-Secondary narrator who recounts Heathcliff’s

-Obvious personal bias

story to Lockwood

-Exaggeration of facts

-Gossip who is eager to tell stories to Lockwood

Catherine the younger -Inherits traits from her parents characters -Kind and gentle as her father Linton -Inherits his role as a foil for Heathcliff -Restores some degree of balance thanks to her good nature -Partially redeems Heathcliff through Hareton

Hareton -Character developed by Mr. Lockwood (in the beginning) -Lockwood describes Hareton as “a clown,” he comments on his unwashed hands, he calls him a “boor,” (this is the first impression we receive, before we even know his

name). -When we hear about Hareton as a child (Nelly’s story), we understand that he did not receive an education, was abused by Heathcliff and had a father who didn’t care for him at all. -However, towards the end of the story, young Catherine has begun to educate Hareton,

and we see a definite change in his temperament.

Isabella -She -Isabella aids develops in revealing though Heathcliff’s Nelly’s story darker(Lockwood side (until doesn’t we meet her) learn -Isabella of his is abusing described her, as we being mostly extremely know spoiled the charismatic, (perhaps charming even moreside thanofher him) brother) -She also gives birth to Linton, which furthers Heathcliff in his plan to marry Catherine the younger with his son.

Joseph -Servant -Strongly catholic -Contextual

Linton -Utterly useless -Hard to like -Unable to escape his father's control -Pitiable, not likeable -Serves only as a pawn

Earnshaw Parents -As he got older, he became and told her she was his least favourite child -Developed through Nelly’simpatient story

↳Shows his crueldied side while Catherine, Hindley and -Mrs. Earnshaw -Mr. Earnshaw shortly after his wife, therefore Hindley was in charge Heathcliff weredied young ↳Hindley made Heathcliff a servant,home, therefore startedhim Heathcliff’s need for revenge -Mr. Earnshaw brought Heathcliff and loved ↳Shows his kind-heartedness

The Linton Parents -Shows a contrast between the Earnshaws (in education and money)

-The Lintons take care of Catherine when their dog bites her leg—this turns her into a proper young lady ↳This, in turn, creates a rift between Heathcliff and Catherine, and also creates another marital option in Edgar. -Interferes with the love triangle

Zillah

Doctors -Developed though Nelly’s story

-developed through Nelly’s Story

-Show the severity of the illnesses

-Tells Nelly what happens to Hareton

of everyone who is ill and/or dies

-Keeps the narrator consistent

in the novel

-Makes the story even further removed

-Adds context to the time frame of the story for readers nowadays

Mr. Green (Edgar’s Lawyer) -Used essentially to drive the plot

-Very brief cameo and his character is mostly irrelevant. -Edgar’s lawyer, who Edgar summoned to change his will to stop Heathcliff from inheriting his property. Was paid off by Heathcliff and Edgar dies before his will can be changed

Lockwood

Hindley’s Wife (Frances)

-Primary Narrator of the novel

-Very mysterious, we learn little about him, isn’t given a first name -His difficulties understanding the

relations of the people at Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange sets the tone for our confusion. -Takes unusual interest in Heathcliff

- It’s all her fault for dying -Hareton is also a thing

Lintons & Earnshaws Lintons are clean, well behaved and refined. Earnshaws are strong willed, mentally unstable, and have wild children. Hareton & Linton Hareton is strong, proud and healthy. Linton is frail, manipulative and educated.

Pairings Heathcliff & Catherine Both are abusive to those who care for them and others, though in different ways. They are extremely selfish, but also strong willed.

Nelly & Joseph Both, Nelly and Joseph, are hired help. Joseph is very gruff compared to Nelly’s polite servitude. Catherine & Catherine The Catherines are very similar despite not knowing each other. Younger Catherine’s main differences comes from being reared by Edgar.