Wuthering Heights
by Emily Brontë
Contents
Chapter 6
Overview
Hindley returns as master of Wuthering Heights with a wife and immediately lowers Heathcliff’s status, turning him from a member of the household into a servant. Catherine and Heathcliff’s bond survives through shared rebellion, but their visit to Thrushcross Grange exposes them to the Lintons’ gentility and class prejudice. Catherine’s injury leaves her in the Lintons’ care, while Heathcliff is rejected, beginning a separation that threatens their wild companionship.
Summary
After Mr. Earnshaw’s death, Hindley returns home for the funeral and surprises the household by bringing a wife. Mrs. Earnshaw is lively and easily delighted by Wuthering Heights, but the funeral terrifies her, and Nelly notices signs of frailty in her coughing, breathlessness, and nervousness.
Hindley, much changed by his absence, asserts himself as master of the house and pushes Nelly and Joseph into the back-kitchen. Mrs. Earnshaw initially treats Catherine warmly, but her affection soon fades; when she shows dislike for Heathcliff, Hindley revives his old hatred and degrades Heathcliff by removing his lessons, sending him among the servants, and making him work outdoors like a farm laborer.
Heathcliff endures the change because Catherine remains devoted to him, teaching him what she learns and spending her days with him on the moors. Hindley neglects both children except when Joseph and the curate complain, and punishments only make Catherine and Heathcliff more reckless and more united in mischief.
One Sunday evening, after being banished from the sitting-room, Catherine and Heathcliff run away and reach Thrushcross Grange. Heathcliff later tells Nelly that they peered through the Lintons’ window, admired the luxurious room, and laughed at Edgar and Isabella Linton quarrelling over a little dog despite their privileged surroundings.
The Lintons discover the intruders, and while Catherine and Heathcliff flee, the watchdog Skulker bites Catherine’s ankle. Catherine is taken inside and recognized as Miss Earnshaw; because of her birth and manners, the Lintons nurse and pamper her, while Heathcliff is insulted as a criminal outsider and thrown out. Heathcliff watches through the window as Catherine is treated kindly and admired by the Linton children.
The next day Mr. Linton visits Wuthering Heights and rebukes Hindley for allowing Catherine to grow up so wildly. Hindley responds by forbidding Heathcliff to speak to Catherine on pain of dismissal, while Mrs. Earnshaw undertakes to restrain Catherine by persuasion rather than force.
Who Appears
- HeathcliffDegraded by Hindley, remains devoted to Catherine, and is rejected by the Lintons.
- Catherine EarnshawRuns wild with Heathcliff, is bitten at Thrushcross Grange, and is welcomed by the Lintons.
- Hindley EarnshawReturns as master with a wife and demotes Heathcliff to servant status.
- Nelly DeanNarrates events, worries over the children, and hears Heathcliff’s account of the Grange.
- Mrs. EarnshawHindley’s new wife; initially affectionate, then peevish and influential against Heathcliff.
- Edgar LintonPrivileged Linton child who recognizes Catherine and admires her after her injury.
- Isabella LintonLinton daughter seen quarrelling with Edgar and later frightened by Heathcliff.
- Mr. LintonReceives the intruders as criminals, then rebukes Hindley for Catherine’s upbringing.
- Mrs. LintonCondemns Heathcliff as unfit for a decent house but helps tend Catherine.
- JosephReligious servant whose complaints help prompt punishments for Catherine and Heathcliff.