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 aids develops
-Isabella 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 Linton

-Utterly useless
-Servant
-Hard to like
-Strongly catholic
-Unable to escape his father's control
-Contextual
-Pitiable, not likeable

-Serves only as a pawn

 Earnshaw Parents
-As through
he got older,
-Developed Nelly’simpatient
he became story and told her she was his least favourite child
↳Shows his crueldied
-Mrs. Earnshaw side while Catherine, Hindley and
-Mr. Earnshaw
Heathcliff weredied shortly after his wife, therefore Hindley was in charge
young
↳Hindley made Heathcliff
-Mr. Earnshaw a servant,home,
brought Heathcliff therefore startedhim
and loved Heathcliff’s need for revenge
↳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
-developed through Nelly’s Story
-Tells Nelly what happens to Hareton
-Keeps the narrator consistent
-Makes the story even further removed
Doctors
-Developed though Nelly’s story
-Show the severity of the illnesses
of everyone who is ill and/or dies
in the novel
-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 - It’s all her fault for dying
-Hareton is also a thing
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
 Nelly & Joseph
Lintons & Pairings Both, Nelly and
Earnshaws Joseph, are hired
Lintons are clean, help. Joseph is very
well behaved and Heathcliff & gruff compared to
refined. Earnshaws Catherine Nelly’s polite
are strong willed, Both are abusive to servitude.
mentally unstable, those who care for Catherine &
and have wild them and others, Catherine
children.
Hareton & though in different The Catherines are
Linton ways. They are very similar despite
Hareton is extremely selfish, but not knowing each
strong, proud also strong willed. other. Younger
and healthy. Catherine’s main
Linton is frail, differences comes
manipulative and from being reared
educated. by Edgar.