Literature

a) Chapters 1-3

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

2. Why does Lockwood return to Wuthering Heights uninvited, and how do the results of his visit affect the remainder of the novel?

3. When Lockwood first enters Wuthering Heights, who lives there?

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

5. Describe Heathcliff.

6. What glimpses from the past does Lockwood get when he discovers Catherine's books?

7. Whose ghost visits Mr. Lockwood? What is Heathcliff's reaction to the ghost?

B) Chapters 4-8

1. Who is Nelly Dean?

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

3. What are Heathcliff's origins?

4. Why does Hindley despise Heathcliff?

5. Characterize Catherine.

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

7. Why did Edgar get applesauce dumped on him?

8. Catherine is pained by Hindley's punishment of Heathcliff, yet she continues to entertain her guests. What change does this reveal?

9. What does Heathcliff begin to plan?

10. Who is Hareton Earnshaw?

11. How does Frances' death affect Hindley?

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

C) Chapters 9-10

1. Who saves Hareton's life?

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

3. Why does Heathcliff disappear?

4. How has Heathcliff changed during his absence of three years?

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

6. How does Heathcliff begin his revenge on Hindley (and ultimately gain control of his land)?

D) Chapters 11-13

1. Describe Hareton Earnshaw as a boy.

2. Why does Heathcliff embrace Isabella?

3. Why does Catherine put herself into a fit?

4. For what does Catherine wish in her delirium?

5. What happened to Isabella's springer?

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

7. What kind of a reception does Isabella receive at Wuthering Heights?

8. What does Isabella want of Nelly?

E) Chapters 14-17

1. Describe Heathcliff's relationship with Isabella.

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

3. Describe the relationship between Heathcliff and Catherine.

4. What does Heathcliff plead for from Catherine?

5. Why does Edgar bury Catherine away from the family?

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

7. What is Hareton doing when Isabella escapes?

8. Who is Linton?

9. Compare and contrast the way Hindley and Edgar handle losing their spouses and rearing their children.

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

F) Chapters 18-21

1. Describe Cathy's first meeting with Hareton.

2. Describe Linton Heathcliff.

3. Why does Heathcliff want Linton?

4. Why does Heathcliff feel an affection for Hareton?

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

G) Chapters 22-26

1. How does Heathcliff get Cathy to visit Linton?

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

3. Compare the relationships among Heathcliff, Catherine, and Edgar to the relationships between Hareton, Cathy, and Linton.

4. Where do Cathy and Linton meet?

5. Why does Heathcliff want Cathy and Linton to marry?

H) Chapters 27-30

1. Why is it necessary for Heathcliff to kidnap Cathy and Nelly?

2. Why does Linton help Cathy escape to see her father?

3. How has Heathcliff arranged to finally be with Catherine?

4. After Linton dies, what is left for Cathy?

I) Chapters 31-34

1. Why is Hareton trying to learn to read?

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

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

4. How did Heathcliff change towards the end?

5. How is Heathcliff's death like Catherine's?

6. How is the bitterness and hatred in the story finally overcome?
A) Chapters 1-3
1. Why does Mr. Lockwood go to Wuthering Heights? What kind of welcome does he receive?
He is looking for solitude. Mr. Heathcliff and all of the residents at Wuthering Heights treat him rudely.
2. Why does Lockwood return to Wuthering Heights uninvited, and how do the results of his visit affect the remainder of the novel?
The house has piqued his curiosity. He wants to get to know his landlord/neighbors;
3. When Lockwood first enters Wuthering Heights, who lives there?
Heathcliff (the landlord), his daughter-in-law (Catherine), Hareton Earnshaw, Joseph & Zilla.
4. What feeling do we get from Wuthering Heights and its occupants in these first few chapters?
Wuthering Heights (and its occupants) are sulky, cold, and dark. We get a feeling of oppression and depression.
5. Describe Heathcliff.
He is dark, like a gypsy, with black eyes. He is handsome and dresses somewhat like a gentleman, yet he is sullen, short-tempered, and very reserved. It is obvious that he does not welcome visitors and does not like the people with whom he lives.
6. What glimpses from the past does Lockwood get from Catherine's books?
First he learns of Catherine Earnshaw's existence and her friendship and fondness for Heathcliff. He also learns of Catherine's brother Hindley who resents Heathcliff and is cruel to him. We are also introduced to Hindley, Catherine’s older brother, and his wife, Frances.
7. Whose ghost visits Mr. Lockwood? What is Heathcliff's reaction to the ghost?
Catherine's ghost appears to him. When Heathcliff hears of the ghost (and he has time alone), he goes into a sorrowful fit.
8. How reliable is Lockwood’s account of Catherine’s ghost?
Lockwood was half asleep when the ghost appears. It is possible he has had an intense vision as part of the dream. On the other hand, it seems likely that Charlotte Bronte would have wanted her readers to believe in the existence of this ghost.

Chapters 4-8

1. Who is Nelly Dean?
After Lockwood returns home (after his second visit) in wintry weather, he becomes ill. This sets up his long time spent sitting quietly listening to Nelly tell the story of the Lintons, Earnshaws, and Heathcliff to Mr. Lockwood. Nelly is the house servant for Mr. Lockwood (formerly housekeeper at Wuthering Heights).
2. What do the gifts that Hindley and Catherine ask their father to bring them reveal about their characters?
Hindley asks for a fiddle, suggesting he has more of an artist's personality. Catherine wants a whip. She appears to be the more robust of the two.
3. What are Heathcliff's origins?
Mr. Earnshaw found him ragged and starving on the streets of Liverpool and decided to adopt him.
4. Why does Hindley despise Heathcliff?
He dislikes Heathcliff because Mr. Earnshaw clearly favors Heathcliff over Hindley.
5. Characterize Catherine.
She is very much her own master. She teases and provokes her entire family with a pretended lack of respect. She adores Heathcliff, is vulgar to her father, and yet appears to be not actually malicious but high-strung and too carefree.
6. Compare and contrast Catherine's and Heathcliff's reactions to the Lintons at Thrushcross Grange.
Heathcliff is disgusted by the Lintons. Catherine takes a liking to their elegant style of living.
7. Why did Edgar get applesauce dumped on him?
His comment about Heathcliff's hair puts Heathcliff in a temper.
8. Catherine is pained by Hindley's punishment of Heathcliff, yet she continues to entertain her guests. What change does this reveal?
She loves Heathcliff and worries about him, but she is strongly drawn to the Lintons and their lifestyle.
9. What does Heathcliff begin to plan?
He begins to plan his revenge on Hindley.
10. Who is Hareton Earnshaw?
Hareton is the son of Hindley and Frances Earnshaw.
11. How does Frances' death affect Hindley?
Hindley becomes more cruel and despondent. He turns to excessive drinking.
12. Edgar gets a good look at Catherine's "other side." What is his reaction?
He is horrified at her cruelty and blatant lying, yet his attraction to her and her weeping cause him to return and stay for a visit.

C) Chapters 9-10

1. Who saves Hareton's life?
After Hindley drops Hareton, Heathcliff catches him, saving his life.
2. Why does Catherine accept Edgar's proposal when she knows Heathcliff is a part of her soul?
She is proud and seduced by the money and power of a marriage to Edgar and deludes herself into thinking it will put her in a position to help Heathcliff.
3. Why does Heathcliff disappear?
Catherine hurts his feelings by saying it would degrade her to marry him, so he leaves (although this is not all that she says).
4. How has Heathcliff changed during his absence of three years?
His appearance and manners are greatly improved, and he seems to be better educated.
Underneath his new appearance, though, his hatreds are more intense and his emotions are more cruel.
5. Who is Isabella, and what does she think of Heathcliff?
Isabella is Edgar's sister, a Linton. She has taken a fancy to Heathcliff, thinking his brutish exterior masks softer sentiments, which her love will free.
6. How does Heathcliff begin his revenge on Hindley (and ultimately gain control of his land)?
While living at Wuthering Heights, he plays cards with Hindley--and beats him badly, winning great debts from Hindley. (Eventually, this is how he gains control of Wuthering Heights.)

D) Chapters 11-13

1. Describe Hareton Earnshaw as a boy.
Hareton is growing up wild. He has no education and has the worst possible examples of humanity to follow.
2. Why does Heathcliff embrace Isabella?
He does not love or even like her, but he sees an opportunity to hurt Edgar through her.
3. Why does Catherine put herself into a fit?
She wants both Edgar and Heathcliff for herself. She cannot reconcile them nor stop Heathcliff from "courting” Isabella. Thus, her power over everyone is diminishing. Her violent passions cause her to have a fit and lock herself in her room for days.
4. For what does Catherine wish in her delirium?
She wishes that she were a young wild girl living at Wuthering Heights as she used to be and that Heathcliff would join her in her grave.
5. What happened to Isabella's Springer?
Heathcliff tied it up so it would not bark at or follow him and Isabella.
6. How does Edgar react to Isabella's running away with Heathcliff?
He will have no further contact with her as she has now disowned her family in his eyes.
7. What kind of reception does Isabella receive at Wuthering Heights?
She is cursed at by Hareton who threatens to set the dogs on her. The rest of the household alternately ignore and curse her. Heathcliff disappears and leaves her to fend for herself.
8. What does Isabella want of Nelly?
She wants Nelly to come visit her and bring some message from Edgar.

E) Chapters 14-17

1. Describe Heathcliff's relationship with Isabella.
He despises her; he thinks she is a fool for marrying him.
2. Why does Nelly agree to take Heathcliff's letter to Catherine?
She thinks it will cause less harm than Heathcliff's trying to see Catherine and having to fight Edgar.
3. Describe the relationship between Heathcliff and Catherine.
They love and torment each other. She accuses him of leaving her and he accuses her of leaving him for a brief fancy for Edgar. Both feel they cannot live without the other and will only find peace in the grave. Yet Heathcliff also feels a passionate hatred toward her for breaking her own heart and thereby his and leaving him to live in a hell after she dies.
4. For what does Heathcliff plead from Catherine?
He pleads for her ghost to haunt him.
5. Why does Edgar bury Catherine away from the family?
He wants her to be near the moors she loved.
6. Isabella hates Heathcliff and yet she warns him that Hindley has a gun and means to shoot him. Why?
Although she wishes him dead, Isabella cannot be a party to cold-blooded murder. She probably wouldn't object to a fair fight between the two, but murder would not do.
7. What is Hareton doing when Isabella escapes?
He is hanging a litter of puppies. His character is shown as distorted and cruel.
8. Who is Linton?
Linton is the son of Isabella and Heathcliff.
9. Compare and contrast the way Hindley and Edgar handle losing their spouses and rearing their children.
Hindley turns to gambling and drinking when Frances dies. He abuses Hareton to the point of allowing him to be reared almost like a savage. Edgar mourns Catherine yet recovers to lavish love on their daughter Cathy.
10. Upon Hindley's death, who owns Wuthering Heights, and how?
Heathcliff holds the mortgages on Wuthering Heights and therefore owns the property.

F) Chapters 18-21

1. Describe Cathy's first meeting with Hareton.
Their dogs get into a fight in front of Wuthering Heights when Cathy is on her secret journey to the Peniston Crags. They appear quite pleased with each other until Cathy calls him a servant, gives him an order, and refuses to believe he is her cousin.
2. Describe Linton Heathcliff.
He is blond, pale, thin, and appears to be a sickly child.
3. Why does Heathcliff want Linton?
Linton will be the heir of Thrushcross Grange, and Heathcliff sees an opportunity to get the land for himself through his child.
4. Why does Heathcliff feel affection for Hareton?
Hareton is the son Heathcliff wanted. He is strong, wild and full of spirit, unlike sickly Linton.
5. Why does Nelly cut off the love letters between Cathy and Linton?
She fears Heathcliff's plan that they will marry. Nelly knows better than anyone how dangerous Heathcliff is, and she wants to protect Cathy.

G) Chapters 22-26

1. How does Heathcliff get Cathy to visit Linton?
He appeals to her pity and sensitivity concerning Linton's loneliness and broken heart.
2. Linton is not very likable. Why do you think Cathy cares for him?
Although he is selfish, miserable, and sickly, he is the only person around who is her own age and class. Also, Cathy does have a heart; she pities him.
3. Compare the relationships among Heathcliff, Catherine, and Edgar to the relationships between
Hareton, Cathy, and Linton.
Cathy loves Linton and scorns Hareton as a brute, much as Catherine loved Edgar and scorned Heathcliff's bad manners. Cathy's love for Linton is actually pity, and we know she finds Hareton physically attractive, if vulgar. It is obvious that Hareton is attracted to Cathy; he tries to improve himself and has become jealous of Linton, as Heathcliff improved himself and was jealous of Edgar.
4. Where do Cathy and Linton meet?
They only meet on the moors because each is forbidden to go to the other's household.
5. Why does Heathcliff want Cathy and Linton to marry?
It is through their union and Linton's early death that he will control Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange--the family fortunes of both of his enemies.

H) Chapters 27-30

1. Why is it necessary for Heathcliff to kidnap Cathy and Nelly?
He must get Cathy married to Linton before Edgar dies, in order to have his full revenge.
2. Why does Linton help Cathy escape to see her father?
He is tired of her crying--and perhaps he feels some pity for her.
3. How has Heathcliff arranged to finally be with Catherine?
He has bribed the gravedigger to remove the near sides of their coffins so that their dust may mingle.
4. After Linton dies, what is left for Cathy?
She has no money and is a prisoner at Wuthering Heights.
I) Chapters 31-34
1. Why is Hareton trying to learn to read?
He wants to win Cathy's approval.
2. Heathcliff abuses Hareton and tries to see Hindley in his features, but who does he really see?
He keeps seeing Catherine in him.
3. How has Wuthering Heights changed in Mr. Lockwood's absence?
The gates and windows are unlocked and the house has a cheerful air. Cathy and Hareton are obviously in love with each other, and Heathcliff has died.
4. How did Heathcliff change towards the end?
He lost his will for revenge. He became absorbed in Catherine's spirit and longed only to be with her. He forgot the earthly needs or desires he had.
5. How is Heathcliff's death like Catherine's?
They both fasted before they died, and they both seemed to already be a part of the world to which they were going.
6. How is the bitterness and hatred in the story finally overcome?
The bitterness and hatred is overcome by the love of Cathy and Hareton. The two houses are united and happy once more.