Theme Summary

The novel Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte is relatively contemporary, revolving around the major themes of revenge and racism contorted into the cruel existence of Heathcliff that further perpetrated other lives. Bronte explores other minor themes such as marriage and isolation, which come together, creating a concussion of un-consummated love between Heathcliff and Catherine that prevails as the story's main conflict.

The novel provides insight into the early history of the Victorian Era, when social class was differentiated by race and skin color. Wuthering Heights is a baffling journey of the protagonist, Heathcliff, going from being a slave to the master and ultimately to his lonely death, leaving the audience contemplating social class issues and revenge.

Wuthering Heights Characters

• Heathcliff – The protagonist. Dark-skinned with gypsy-like features, abused as a child, and turns bitter and revengeful as an adult.

• Catherine Earnshaw – Heathcliff’s love interest who marries Edgar Linton, causing Heathcliff heartbreak and evil behavior.

• Hindley Earnshaw – Catherine’s brother, bullies Heathcliff, loses his property to him, and is father to Hareton.

• Edgar Linton – Wealthy white man, Catherine’s husband, and Cathy’s father.

• Isabella Linton – Edgar’s sister, Heathcliff’s wife, who dies after giving birth to Linton Heathcliff.

• Cathy Linton – Daughter of Catherine and Edgar, falls in love with Linton Heathcliff, and eventually marries him.

• Linton Heathcliff – Son of Heathcliff and Isabella, forced to marry Cathy, dies young.

• Hareton Earnshaw – Abused by Heathcliff as punishment for his father’s wrongdoings, eventually educated by Cathy and marries her.

• Lockwood – New tenant at Thrushcross Grange who learns about Heathcliff’s life from Nelly.

• Nelly Dean – Housekeeper of Thrushcross Grange, narrates Heathcliff and Catherine’s story to Lockwood.

Plot Summary

The story begins in England around 1801 when Lockwood visits an isolated house named Wuthering Heights. Lockwood intends to lease the neighboring house, Thrushcross Grange, under Heathcliff, who also owns Wuthering Heights.

Lockwood’s first impression of Heathcliff is cold and rough with dark gypsy-like skin. After an injury caused by one of Heathcliff’s dogs, he stays in the house, discovers a journal describing the miserable childhood of Catherine and Heathcliff, and hears the moans of a ghost claiming to be Catherine.

Nelly, the housekeeper, narrates Heathcliff’s past: brought to Wuthering Heights by Mr. Earnshaw, Heathcliff grows up abused while Catherine becomes close to him. After Mr. Earnshaw’s death, Hindley mistreats Heathcliff, and Catherine marries Edgar Linton. Heathcliff leaves, returning years later, bitter and seeking revenge.

Heathcliff marries Isabella Linton to hurt Edgar and later manipulates his son Linton into marrying Cathy to control Thrushcross Grange. Deaths, cruelty, and revenge dominate the story until Heathcliff dies alone, haunted by Catherine’s memory. Eventually, Cathy and Hareton inherit Wuthering Heights and live happily.