Wuthering Heights is a classic novel by British
novelist Emily Bronte. It is also her only novel.
The story is told by Lockwood, a gentleman visiting the Yorkshire moors, and Mrs Dean, servant to the Earnshaw family.
It begins in the 1770s, when a rich Yorkshire landowner of Wuthering Heights, Earnshaw, brings home a half-wild, sullen foundling from the streets of Liverpool. He calls the boy Heathcliff.
Heathcliff grows up alongside the Earnshaw's own children, Catherine and Hindley, and treated like a member of the family. Things changed after Mr Earnshaw's death. Heathcliff is mistreated and bullied by Hindley, now married and head of the household. Heathcliff, falls in love with Catherine, who returns his affection even though she feels it would be humiliating to marry him. Upon learning this Healthacliff leaves quietly the Wuthering Heights.
Meanwhile Hindley's wife has died, leaving him a son, Hareton. Catherine is attracted to the soft, luxurious life of the Lintons of Thrushcross Grange and marries Edgar Linton.
Heathcliff returns to Wuthering Heights and finding out that Catherine has married, his vengeful nature begins to assert itself. His first victim is his own beloved Catherine, whose early death he hastens by incessant accusations of betrayal, of contempt, and of cruelty. She dies giving birth to a girl, also called Catherine. Heathcliff's next victim is Edgar's sister Isabella, whom he marries and mistreats until she runs away. He then destroys Hindley, a heavy drinker and gambler. To secure the Linton family property Heathcliff also forces a marriage between young Catherine and Linton, his sickly son by Isabella. When Linton dies the young widow develops an interest in Hareton, Hindley's son, whom Heathcliff has brought up. By now Heathcliff, has taken control of Wuthering Heights but with all his passion spent, longs for death and union with Catherine.
Increasingly alienated from reality, Heathcliff hallucinates and experiences visions with his beloved Catherine. He eventually dies failing to destroy the Earnshaws and the Lintons, and leaving to the younger generation, Catherine and Hareton, the hope of a bright and richer tomorrow for Wuthering Heights.
A powerful, monstrous, turbulent and disturbing plot, but impressive creation from Emily Bronte. Wuthering Heights has remained an all-time
classic novel.