Wuthering Heights
by Emily Brontë
Contents
Chapter 8
Overview
Frances Earnshaw dies soon after giving birth to Hareton, and Hindley’s grief curdles into violent drunkenness, worsening the atmosphere at Wuthering Heights. Heathcliff’s forced labor and exclusion deepen his degradation and resentment, while Catherine’s growing bond with the Lintons creates a painful split between refinement and her older attachment to Heathcliff.
The chapter’s central shift comes when Catherine’s temper is exposed before Edgar, yet instead of driving him away, the scene pushes them into admitting their love. This strengthens Catherine’s connection to Edgar while further isolating Heathcliff, intensifying the emotional conflict that will shape the story.
Summary
On a fine June morning, Frances Earnshaw gives birth to a son, Hareton, while Nelly Dean is working in the fields. A servant summons Nelly back to Wuthering Heights with news that the baby is healthy but Frances is dying of consumption. Hindley refuses to accept Dr. Kenneth’s judgment and angrily insists Frances will recover.
Frances remains cheerful almost until the end, and Hindley continues denying her illness. One night, while leaning on Hindley and speaking hopefully of getting up the next day, Frances has a slight coughing fit and dies in Hindley’s arms. Hareton’s care passes almost entirely to Nelly, while Hindley responds to grief with curses, dissipation, and violent tyranny.
Hindley’s decline turns Wuthering Heights into a corrupt and frightening household. Most servants leave, but Nelly stays for Hareton and Joseph remains to condemn the wickedness around him. Hindley’s cruelty worsens Heathcliff’s degradation: deprived of education and forced into labor, Heathcliff becomes increasingly sullen, rough, and resentful, though he remains deeply attached to Catherine.
Catherine, now admired by the Lintons, develops a divided character. At Thrushcross Grange she is polite and charming, winning Isabella’s admiration and Edgar Linton’s love; at home she remains proud and headstrong. Catherine tries to keep Edgar and Heathcliff apart because each exposes a different side of her and because their mutual contempt unsettles her.
One afternoon, when Hindley is away, Heathcliff takes a rare rest and hopes to spend time with Catherine, but Catherine has arranged for Edgar to visit. Heathcliff reveals that he has marked on an almanac the evenings Catherine spends with the Lintons and the evenings she spends with him. Catherine, irritated, wounds Heathcliff by saying his company is dull and ignorant, and Heathcliff leaves just as Edgar arrives.
Catherine then tries to dismiss Nelly from the room, but Nelly remains as chaperone. In anger, Catherine pinches Nelly, lies about it, slaps her, shakes little Hareton when he cries, and strikes Edgar when Edgar intervenes. Edgar is shocked and tries to leave, but Catherine’s tears draw him back; their quarrel breaks through their reserve, and they confess themselves lovers. Hindley returns home drunk and dangerous, prompting Edgar to flee, Catherine to withdraw, and Nelly to hide Hareton and remove ammunition from Hindley’s gun.
Who Appears
- Nelly DeanNarrator and servant; nurses Hareton, observes Catherine’s conflicts, and manages household dangers.
- Catherine EarnshawProud and divided young woman; wounds Heathcliff, attacks Nelly and Edgar, then wins Edgar’s love.
- HeathcliffDegraded by Hindley’s abuse; resentfully tracks Catherine’s time with the Lintons and feels displaced.
- Edgar LintonRefined visitor who witnesses Catherine’s violence but returns and becomes her acknowledged lover.
- Hindley EarnshawGrieving widower; denies Frances’s illness, then descends into drunken, dangerous tyranny.
- Frances EarnshawHindley’s wife; gives birth to Hareton and dies shortly afterward from consumption.
- Hareton EarnshawNewborn son of Hindley and Frances; left mostly in Nelly’s care after his mother’s death.
- JosephServant who remains at Wuthering Heights, condemning the household’s wickedness.
- Dr. KennethDoctor who warns Hindley that Frances is dying, though Hindley rejects the diagnosis.
- Isabella LintonEdgar’s sister; admires Catherine during her continued association with the Linton family.