Wuthering Heights Chapter Summaries

Study Notes

Chapter Summaries of Wuthering Heights

Lockwood becomes a tenant at Thrushcross Grange in 1801, documenting his chilly reception by Heathcliff at Wuthering Heights.
Lockwood returns to Wuthering Heights and becomes stranded due to snow; he encounters Catherine and faces hostility from Joseph and the dogs.
In Cathy’s old room, Lockwood reads her diary, discovering her multiple identities (Earnshaw, Heathcliff, Linton) before being startled awake by her ghost.
Nelly recounts the story of Wuthering Heights, revealing Mr. Earnshaw’s adoption of Heathcliff and the complicated relationships among the Earnshaw family.
After Mr. Earnshaw's death, Hindley returns from school, mistreating Heathcliff, while Cathy and Heathcliff find solace in each other's company during their grief.
Hindley’s return leads to oppressive treatment of Heathcliff; a confrontation arises when Cathy is bitten by a dog while watching Linton children.
Cathy returns from the Linton household, transformed and conflicted; a dinner with the Lintons ends in Heathcliff's humiliation and his desire for revenge emerges.
Following Francis's death, Hindley's cruelty intensifies, and Cathy becomes increasingly volatile in her emotions and interactions with others.
Cathy contemplates her engagement to Edgar, expressing feelings of degradation in her potential marriage to Heathcliff, prompting Heathcliff to flee for three years.
Heathcliff returns, igniting Cathy’s excitement and rekindling their love; Isabella becomes infatuated with Heathcliff against her brother Edgar's warnings.
Cathy experiences jealousy over Heathcliff’s connection with Isabella, leading to a violent confrontation between Edgar and Heathcliff.
Cathy’s emotional turmoil deepens as she believes she is dying; Isabella escapes Wuthering Heights after facing Heathcliff’s aggression.
Cathy is pregnant, while Isabella’s letters reveal her distress over her marriage; Edgar remains unforgiving toward Heathcliff.
Heathcliff professes his love for Cathy and pressures Nelly to facilitate private communication between them.
Cathy and Heathcliff share a passionate embrace, leading to Cathy's collapse; she dies shortly after giving birth, with Heathcliff cursing her spirit for failing to mention him.
Isabella suffers abuse in her marriage to Heathcliff, and Hindley succumbs to despair after Cathy’s death; Heathcliff asserts control over Hareton.
Isabella becomes estranged from her father and, after bearing Linton, she dies despite her son's hardships and struggles at Wuthering Heights.
Linton's weak health is introduced when the Linton family visits; tensions with Joseph and Heathcliff create conflict over Linton's future.
Heathcliff allows Linton to stay under his roof, while tensions arise between Nelly and Heathcliff regarding Linton's treatment.
The story jumps three years later, showing Catherine and Nelly exploring the moors; Catherine secretly corresponds with Linton despite Edgar’s opposition.
As Edgar's health deteriorates, Catherine visits Wuthering Heights and faces manipulation from Heathcliff, who pressures her into a visit to Linton.
Catherine’s guilt over Linton's worsening health leads to secret night visits to Wuthering Heights amid familial obligations.
Tensions rise over Catherine’s visits, resulting in a confrontation with Hareton, while Nelly alerts Edgar of her disobedience.
As Edgar's health declines, Catherine’s visits to Linton lead to her and Nelly being imprisoned by Heathcliff until she agrees to marry Linton.
Catherine escapes with Linton’s assistance, but Edgar's passing leaves her in turmoil; she ultimately moves to Wuthering Heights.
Heathcliff’s obsession extends beyond life; he bribes to have Cathy’s coffin reopened to rest beside her, asserting his claim on her even in death.
Lockwood learns of the aftermath, discovering the fate of other characters, and witnesses Heathcliff's isolation until his demise, sparking eerie tales of him and Cathy’s return.

Description

Test your knowledge of 'Wuthering Heights' with these chapter summaries flashcards. Explore key events and characters from each chapter, providing a quick review of the novel's beginnings and plot development.