Wuthering Heights

Why did Mr. Lockwood go to Wuthering Heights? What kind of welcome did he receive?

Mr. Lockwood went to Wuthering Heights for some vacation and solitude. He was treated rudely by all the residents.

How does Lockwood's return visit to Wuthering Heights affect the remainder of the novel?

Lockwood falls sick and is forced to stay at Wuthering Heights for a while. This is when the maid Nelly tells her story of what happened at the residence.

When Lockwood first enters Wuthering Heights, who lives there?

Cathy, Heathcliff, Joseph, Hareton

What feeling do we get from Wuthering Heights and its occupants in these first few chapters?

They are gloomy, sulky, dark.

Describe Heathcliff.

Dark skin with black eyes. Well dressed yet short tempered. Sullen. 

What glimpses from the past does Lockwood discover from Catherine's books?

He learns of Catherine’s fondness for Heathcliff.

 Who appears in Mr. Lockwood's dream?

Catherine

Who is Nelly Dean?

Lockwood’s servant and the housekeeper at Thrushcross Grange.

What do the gifts Hindley and Catherine ask their father to bring them reveal about their characters?

Catherine is the more robust of the two. 

What are Heathcliff's origins?

He was an orphan living on the streets of Liverpool and was taken in by Mr. Earnshaw.

Why does Hindley despise Heathcliff?

Hindley is jealous of the attention Mr. Earnshaw directs towards Heathcliff.

Describe Catherine.

High-strung, care-free, and insolent.

Compare and contrast Catherine's and Heathcliff's reactions to the Lintons at Thrushcross Grange.

Catherine is fascinated by their elegant lifestyle while Heathcliff is digusted.

Why did Edgar get applesauce dumped on him?

His comments about Heathcliff’s hair led to Heathcliff throwing applesauce at him.

Catherine is pained by Hindley's punishment of Heathcliff, yet she remains as the hostess of her guests. What change does this reveal?

Catherine loves Heathcliff and is worried about him, but is still in love with the Lintons’ elegant lifestyle.

What does Heathcliff begin to plan?

Revenge on Hindley.

Who is Hareton?

The son of Hindley and Frances.

How does Frances' death affect Hindley?

Hindley becomes more cruel and dispondent.

Edgar gets a good look at Catherine's "other side." What is his reaction?

He is horrified but still loves her.

Who saves Hareton's life?

Heathcliff

Why does Catherine accept Edgar's proposal when she knows Heathcliff is a part of her soul?

Catherine is attracted to the money and the lifestyle the Lintons’ provide, and deludes herself into thinking this status can help her help Heathcliff.

Why does Heathcliff disappear?

Catherine hurts his feelings, so he leaves.

How has Heathcliff changed during his absence of three years?

He has a better appearance and a better education, but is still bitter and cruel.

Who is Isabella, and what does she think of Heathcliff?

Isabella is Edgar’s sister, and she is attracted to Heathcliff.

How does Heathcliff begin his revenge on Hindley?

Heathcliff wins great gambling debts from Hindley through playing cards.

Describe Hareton Earnshaw as a boy.

Wild; no education, no manners.

Why does Heathcliff embrace Isabella?

He sees Isabella as an opportunity to hurt Edgar.

Why does Catherine put herself into a fit?

She wants both Heathcliff and Edgar to herself. She cannot reconcile them and cannot prevent Heathcliff from “courting” Isabella. Her power over everyone is diminishing.

For what does Catherine wish in her delirium?

She wishes she was a young girl living in Wuthering Heights again, and she wishes that Heathcliff would join her in her grave.

What happened to Isabella's springer?

Heathcliff tied it up.

How does Edgar react to Isabella's running away with Heathcliff?

Edgar claims that Isabella disowned him and that he will have nothing to do with her anymore.

What kind of reception does Isabella receive at Wuthering Heights?

She is cursed and ignored and left to fend for herself.

What does Isabella want of Nelly?

She wants Nelly to visit her and bring a message to Edgar.

Describe Heathcliff's relationship with Isabella.

He despises her and thinks her a fool.

Why does Nelly agree to take Heathcliff's letter to Catherine?

Nelly thinks delivering the letter will result in the least trouble.

Describe the relationship between Heathcliff and Catherine.

They love but torment each other.

For what does Heathcliff plead from Catherine?

For her ghost to haunt him.

Why does Edgar bury Catherine away from the family?

He wants her to be near the moors she loved.

Isabella hates Heathcliff and yet she warns him that Hindley has a gun and means to shoot him. Why?

Isabella does not wish to be a proponent of cold-blooded murder. She wishes Heathcliff dead, but does not wish to be party of murder.

What is Hareton doing when Isabella escapes?

Hanging a liter of puppies.

Who is Linton?

Son of Isabella and Heathcliff.

Compare/contrast the way Hindley and Edgar rear their children.

Hindley neglects and is an abusive parent to Hareton; Edgar loves Catherine.

Upon Hindley's death, who owns Wuthering Heights, and how?

Heathcliff owns it as the mortgage holder. He won it through gambling debts.

Describe Cathy's relationship with Hareton at their first meeting.

They get along well until Cathy calls Hareton a servant.

Describe Linton Heathcliff.

Frail, weak, blond, pale.

Why does Heathcliff want Linton?

Heathcliff wants Linton in order to use him to marry Cathy in order to take control of Thrushcross Grange.

Why does Heathcliff feel an affection for Hareton?

Hareton is the wild and robust son Heathcliff wanted.

Why does Nelly cut off the love letters between Cathy and Linton?

Nelly wants to protect Cathy from Heathcliff’s schemes.

How does Heathcliff get Cathy to visit Linton?

Heathcliff appeals to Cathy’s pity for Linton.

Linton is not very likable. Why do you think Cathy cares for him?

Cathy feels bad for Linton. Her care is more of pity than of love.

What are the relationships among Hareton, Cathy, and Linton?

Hareton loves Cathy. Cathy pities and cares for Linton. Hareton is jealous of Linton. 

Where do Cathy and Linton meet?

On the moors.

Why does Heathcliff want Cathy and Linton to marry?

So Heathcliff can take control of Thrushcross Grange after the early death of Linton.

Why did Heathcliff kidnap Cathy and Nelly?

He must get Cathy to marry Linton before he dies.

Why does Linton help Cathy escape to see her father?

He is tired of her crying-and feels some pity for her.

How has Heathcliff arranged to finally be with Catherine?

He bribes the gravedigger to remove the near sides of their coffins so that their dust may mingle.

After Linton dies, what is left for Cathy?

She has no money and is a prisoner at Wuthering Heights.

Why is Hareton trying to learn to read?

He wants Cathy’s approval.

Heathcliff abuses Hareton and tries to see Hindley in his features, but who does he see?

Himself.

How has Wuthering Heights changed in Mr. Lockwood's absence?

The house becomes cheerful, Cathy and Hareton are in love, and Heathcliff has died.

How did Heathcliff change towards the end?

Heathcliff becomes preoccupied and obsessed with Catherine.

How is Heathcliff's death like Catherine's?

Both seemed already to be a part of the world in which they were already going.

How is the bitterness and hatred in the story finally overcome?

By the death of Heathcliff and Heathcliff’s reuniting with Catherine. By the love of Hareton and Cathy.