What is the novel Wuthering Heights about?
Wuthering Heights is a dark, passionate story by Emily Brontë that explores the lives of two families, the Earnshaws and the Lintons, on the Yorkshire moors. The plot revolves around the deep love and vengeful actions of Heathcliff, an orphan taken in by the Earnshaws, and Catherine Earnshaw, whose decision to marry someone else leads to tragic events. Themes of love, social class, and torment play out over generations in this intense novel.
What genre is Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë?
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë is primarily a gothic novel, known for its dark and supernatural themes. It also includes elements of romance, bildungsroman, and revenge tragedy. This combination gives the story a rich emotional depth and broad appeal, making it a unique reading experience.
How many chapters are in Wuthering Heights?
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë contains a total of 34 chapters, depicting two intertwined stories throughout the novel.
Wuthering Heights summary
The story of Wuthering Heights begins in 1801, introducing Mr. Lockwood, who is renting Thrushcross Grange. He visits the imposing Heathcliff at the isolated farmhouse, Wuthering Heights. There, Lockwood encounters a gloomy group, including Cathy Linton, Hareton Earnshaw, and an unfriendly servant named Joseph. During a snowstorm, Lockwood gets trapped in Wuthering Heights, where he experiences strange events, including a haunting dream about the ghost of Catherine Earnshaw.
Lockwood falls ill and returns to Thrushcross Grange, where his housekeeper, Nelly Dean, starts telling him the complex tale of Wuthering Heights. Many years back, Mr. Earnshaw, the owner of Wuthering Heights, adopts an orphan boy named Heathcliff. He raises Heathcliff alongside his own children, Catherine and Hindley. While Heathcliff and Catherine form a passionate bond, Hindley grows jealous, and when Mr. Earnshaw passes away, he makes life miserable for Heathcliff.
Catherine falls in love with Edgar Linton, a gentleman from Thrushcross Grange, despite her strong feelings for Heathcliff. Torn between love and societal expectations, she chooses to marry Edgar. This decision devastates Heathcliff, pushing him to leave Wuthering Heights and embark on a quest for wealth and revenge against those who have hurt him.
Years later, Heathcliff returns to Wuthering Heights as a wealthy man, filled with bitterness. His first act of revenge is to ruin Hindley financially, so he can inherit Wuthering Heights. Heathcliff’s vengeance doesn't stop there; he also manipulates and marries Isabella Linton, Edgar's sister, fully displaying his cruel nature. Tragically, Catherine becomes ill after giving birth to their daughter, young Cathy, and dies soon after, which only fuels Heathcliff's obsession with her memory.
As time passes, young Cathy grows up unknowing of the turmoil and history surrounding Wuthering Heights. Nelly cares for her at Thrushcross Grange, while Cathy explores the moors. During her adventures, she meets Hareton, Hindley's neglected son. The two bond, but tensions remain due to their differing backgrounds. In the meantime, Isabella passes away, and Linton, Heathcliff’s sickly son, arrives at Wuthering Heights, receiving his father's harsh treatment.
Heathcliff's quest for revenge culminates as he forces young Cathy to marry Linton, gaining control over Thrushcross Grange. Soon Linton dies, leaving Heathcliff with power over both estates and their inhabitants' fortunes. Initially, Cathy and Hareton find themselves at odds, but as they learn about each other, their bond strengthens.
In the end, Wuthering Heights closes with the promise of new beginnings, as Cathy and Hareton consider marriage, hinting at healing and unity between the once-feuding families. Heathcliff remains tainted and troubled by lingering thoughts of Catherine until his death. Lockwood departs from the Yorkshire moors, reflecting on the tragic legacy of passion and revenge that unfolded amid the rugged countryside.
How does Wuthering Heights end?
Heathcliff's life ends with his mysterious death in Catherine's room. He stops eating, showing his emotional decline, and finally surrenders to the longing for Catherine. Before passing, he lets go of his hatred for the relationship between his daughter, Cathy Linton, and Hareton Earnshaw, embracing their love.
Cathy brightens Hareton’s life by teaching him to read; they dream of uncoupling themselves from the past. Their plans include moving to Thrushcross Grange, but they'll leave Joseph to look after the haunting Wuthering Heights. Nelly shares these updates with Lockwood, who discovers hope amidst the shadows left by Heathcliff.
Lockwood visits the resting places of Heathcliff, Catherine, and Edgar Linton, believing they might now find peace. However, villagers whisper of seeing Cathy and Heathcliff's spirits together on the moors, hinting at a bond that transcends death. This suggests a darker, yet enduring connection between the two lovers.
Heathcliff’s demise reinforces the end of his vendetta, while Cathy and Hareton’s union signals healing and a new start, breaking the cycle of turmoil. The story concludes with a tentative possibility for love and harmony in the lives of the next generation, whether interpreted through the ghosts or the graves.
Who are the main characters in Wuthering Heights?
- Heathcliff: An orphan raised by the Earnshaw family; he is bitter and seeks revenge, which harms many around him.
- Catherine Earnshaw: Heathcliff’s childhood friend and love; she chooses a wealthy life over true love, leading to heartbreak.
- Edgar Linton: Catherine’s husband; he is kind and polite, yet weak, unable to stand up to Heathcliff’s rage.
- Cathy Linton: The daughter of Catherine and Edgar; she is strong-willed and spirited, with a deep love for Hareton.
- Hareton Earnshaw: Son of Hindley; he faces mistreatment but finds compassion from Cathy.
- Linton Heathcliff: Heathcliff’s frail son; he is selfish and used as a tool by his father, dying young.
Frequently asked questions
Which English county is the setting for Wuthering Heights?
The setting for Wuthering Heights is in the county of Yorkshire, England. The story unfolds in a remote part of the Yorkshire moors, characterized by its rugged landscape and stormy weather, which adds to the novel’s dark and gothic atmosphere.
Is Wuthering Heights hard to read?
Wuthering Heights can be hard to read for many. Its complex narration, intense characters, and gothic style often challenge readers. You might find it tough to follow at first, which could require rereading or additional materials to get the full story. Once you grasp it, though, the experience is powerful and immersive.
What is the theme of Wuthering Heights?
The theme of Wuthering Heights focuses on intense contrasts: love and hate, good and evil, and revenge. It explores how strong passions can lead to cruelty as well as deep connections, and it touches on social class, family conflict, and the complex nature of human emotions that connect life, death, and obsession.
When was Wuthering Heights published?
Wuthering Heights was published on December 14, 1847. Thomas Cautley Newby released it in London as part of a three-volume set. This novel took up two volumes, while Anne Brontë’s Agnes Grey filled the third.