Wuthering Heights
by Emily Brontë
Contents
Chapter 5
Overview
Mr. Earnshaw's decline deepens the household's divisions: his favoritism shields Heathcliff, Hindley is sent away, Joseph gains moral influence, and Catherine grows more defiant under constant rebuke. The chapter ends with Mr. Earnshaw's quiet death, leaving Catherine and Heathcliff bound together in grief and removing the authority that had protected Heathcliff.
Summary
As Mr. Earnshaw's health declines, he becomes irritable and fiercely protective of Heathcliff. Because Mr. Earnshaw assumes everyone dislikes his favorite, the household indulges Heathcliff to avoid upsetting the master, which strengthens Heathcliff's pride and bad temper. Hindley's open contempt for Heathcliff enrages Mr. Earnshaw, so a curate advises sending Hindley away to college, and Mr. Earnshaw reluctantly agrees.
Nelly hopes Hindley's departure will restore peace, but Catherine and Joseph continue to disturb the household. Joseph gains influence over the weakening Mr. Earnshaw through religious lectures and encourages him to judge Hindley harshly while reporting Catherine and Heathcliff's misbehavior, placing most blame on Catherine.
Catherine is described as wild, lively, mischievous, and affectionate. She loves Heathcliff deeply, and separation from him is the severest punishment for her. Her boldness and habit of commanding others create friction, while her father's illness and severity make her more defiant rather than more obedient.
Mr. Earnshaw cannot understand Catherine's teasing or rebelliousness, and Catherine does not grasp why illness has made her father less patient. After days of provocation, Catherine sometimes tries to make peace, but Mr. Earnshaw repeatedly rejects her, saying he cannot love her while she behaves badly. These rebuffs harden Catherine, making repentance seem pointless to her.
One stormy October evening, the household gathers by the fire: Nelly knits, Joseph reads the Bible, Catherine rests by her father's knee after illness, and Heathcliff lies with his head in Catherine's lap. Mr. Earnshaw is pleased by Catherine's gentleness and asks why she cannot always be good. Catherine jokes back, then kisses his hand and sings softly to him until he quietly dies in his chair.
Joseph discovers Mr. Earnshaw's death when he tries to rouse him for prayers. Catherine embraces her father and realizes he is dead, causing Catherine and Heathcliff to cry out in grief. Nelly goes through wind and rain for the doctor and parson; when Nelly returns, Catherine and Heathcliff are awake together, comforting each other with innocent imaginings of heaven.
Who Appears
- Mr. EarnshawAiling master of Wuthering Heights whose favoritism toward Heathcliff intensifies before his quiet death.
- Catherine EarnshawWild, defiant daughter devoted to Heathcliff; mourns deeply when she discovers her father dead.
- HeathcliffFavored child protected by Mr. Earnshaw; grows proud and grieves alongside Catherine.
- Nelly DeanNarrator and servant who observes the family tensions and fetches help after Earnshaw dies.
- JosephSelf-righteous servant whose religious influence over Mr. Earnshaw increases during the master's decline.
- Hindley EarnshawEarnshaw son whose contempt for Heathcliff leads to his being sent away to college.