Wuthering Heights Characters Analysis
Heathcliff - Heathcliff is rescued by the old Mr. Earnshaw from the streets of Liverpool before he is barely old enough to talk. Mr.Earnshaw has a special corner in his heart for the small and reserved child, so he tends to favor him even against his children, Hindley and Catherine. Heathcliff shares a deep love for Catherine while he begins to harbor a deep hatred for Hindley. Heathcliff leaves the region when he learns that Catherine has decided to marry Edgar Linton and return three years later as a rich gentleman.
Catherine Earnshaw (later Catherine Linton) - She is the youngest child of Mr. Earnshaw of Wuthering Heights, and shares a deep and passionate love for Heathcliff. Her brother ignores her education initially, but Mrs. Linton's intervention causes him to encourage her to form an association with Edgar Linton. Catherine decides to marry Edgar Linton so that she can raise her status in the world but she is aware that her true love is Heathcliff.
Hindley Earnshaw - He is the eldest child and heir of the old Mr. Earnshaw, but falls out of favor with his father due to his treatment of Heathcliff. He returns home after the death of his father already married to a young and frail girl called Frances. He has a son from his wife, but she dies soon after the child's birth. Hindley immerses himself in alcohol and gambling after the death of his wife, and loses all of his property to Heathcliff is gambling.
Edgar Linton - He is the heir of and eventual master of Thrushcross Grange. He becomes infatuated with Catherine Earnshaw as a young man and soon asks her to marry him. He doesn't get along with Heathcliff from a young age, and his enmity towards him increases when Heathcliff elopes with his sister. He attempts to keep his daughter shielded from Heathcliff but ultimately fails to protect her.
Isabella Linton - She is the younger sister of Edgar Linton, and is severely spoiled by her brother as well as her sister-in-law. She develops an infatuation for Heathcliff when he returns to the region as a gentleman, and though Catherine and Nelly try to warn her about his character she refuses to heed their advice. She elopes with Heathcliff but ultimately comes to regret her decision and flees to London. She has a son in London and chooses to name him Linton.
Catherine Linton (later Catherine Heathcliff) - She is the daughter of Catherine Linton and Edgar Linton. She is raised under the careful eye of her loving father who attempts to keep her out of Heathcliff's influence by keeping her confined to the parks of Thrushcross Grange. She develops feelings for her cousin Linton Heathcliff and chooses to marry him, but he dies very soon after their marriage. She then falls in love with Hareton Earnshaw and has decided to marry him by the end of the book.
Linton Heathcliff - He is the son of Isabella Linton and Heathcliff but his mother keeps him shielded from his father until she passes away. Linton is an effeminate boy with a weak constitution and a mean disposition. He grows up petulant and conniving in the harsh conditions of Wuthering Heights and bears continuous verbal as well as physical abuse from his father, Heathcliff.
Hareton Earnshaw - He is the son of Hindley Earnshaw and Frances Earnshaw, but receives no care from his father Hindley. Hareton is practically raised under the evil influence of Heathcliff and the misguided influence of Joseph, the house servant. Hareton hates his father for his neglect and looks up to Heathcliff for punishing Hindley. His illiteracy causes him great embarrassment but it is what ultimately leads to his union with Catherine Heathcliff.
