Wuthering Heights

“Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.” — Wuthering Heights

Volume 1

Chapters 1–3: The novel begins with Mr. Lockwood, a new tenant at Thrushcross Grange, visiting his landlord, Heathcliff, at Wuthering Heights. He encounters a hostile household and is forced to stay overnight due to a snowstorm. Lockwood discovers Catherine Earnshaw’s diary and has a terrifying dream of her ghost at the window.

Chapters 4–6: The housekeeper, Nelly Dean, recounts Heathcliff’s childhood. He was adopted by Mr. Earnshaw but faced abuse from Hindley, Catherine’s brother. Catherine and Heathcliff form an intense bond, roaming the moors together. After Mr. Earnshaw’s death, Hindley degrades Heathcliff to a servant.

Chapters 7–9: Catherine befriends the refined Lintons at Thrushcross Grange but is bitten by their dog. During her recovery, she adopts genteel manners, creating tension with Heathcliff. She later confesses to Nelly that she loves Heathcliff but will marry Edgar Linton for social status, devastating Heathcliff, who overhears and disappears.

Chapters 10–12: Heathcliff returns years later, wealthy and vengeful. He manipulates Hindley’s gambling addiction to seize Wuthering Heights and marries Edgar’s sister, Isabella, to torment Catherine. Catherine, now married to Edgar, grows ill from emotional turmoil after a confrontation between Heathcliff and Edgar.

Chapters 13–17: Catherine dies after giving birth to her daughter, Cathy. Isabella flees Heathcliff’s abuse and raises their son, Linton, away from him. Hindley dies, leaving Heathcliff as Wuthering Heights’ sole owner.

Volume 2

Chapters 18–21: Years later, Cathy grows up sheltered at Thrushcross Grange. She meets Hareton, Hindley’s son, and is repulsed by his rough manners. Heathcliff schemes to marry Cathy to his sickly son, Linton, to gain control of Thrushcross Grange.

Chapters 22–26: Cathy secretly visits Linton, who is frail and manipulated by Heathcliff. Heathcliff forces their marriage, and after Edgar’s death, Linton dies, leaving Cathy a widow under Heathcliff’s tyranny at Wuthering Heights.

Chapters 27–34: Lockwood returns to the Grange and learns the rest from Nelly. Cathy gradually befriends Hareton, teaching him to read. Heathcliff, haunted by Catherine’s memory, grows distant and dies. The novel ends with Cathy and Hareton planning to marry, breaking the cycle of revenge.

Key Ideas

• Destructive love and obsession
• Revenge and its consequences
• Social class and oppression
• The supernatural and gothic elements
• Nature vs. civilization

Notable Adaptations