Wuthering Heights & Jane Eyre
by Charlotte Brontë & Emily Brontë
Contents
Wuthering Heights — CHAPTER II
Overview
Lockwood’s second visit becomes a humiliating ordeal, revealing Wuthering Heights’ bitter dynamics. He meets Heathcliff’s young widowed daughter-in-law and Hareton Earnshaw, misreads their ties, and is denied help in a blizzard. After dogs attack, Zillah rescues him, forcing an unplanned stay that deepens the mystery and menace of the house.
Summary
Lockwood, deterred from staying home by a cleaning servant, walks through worsening weather to Wuthering Heights. After difficulty entering, a young labouring man leads Lockwood inside, where he finds a silent young woman he assumes is Mrs. Heathcliff. His small talk fails, and her scorn deepens the household’s chill.
Heathcliff arrives and, amid a tense tea, Lockwood blunders about relationships. Heathcliff clarifies the young woman is his widowed daughter-in-law and the boorish youth is Hareton Earnshaw. The atmosphere grows hostile, and Lockwood realizes he is unwelcome.
Night falls into a blinding snowstorm. Lockwood asks for a guide home, but Heathcliff refuses. When Lockwood attempts to leave with Joseph’s lantern, the dogs knock him down; Heathcliff and Hareton laugh while he bleeds and rages helplessly.
At last Zillah, the housekeeper, intervenes, revives Lockwood with brandy, and shows him to a bed. Forced by illness and weather to stay, Lockwood ends the night an involuntary guest in Heathcliff’s oppressive household.
Who Appears
- Mr. LockwoodNarrator; revisits Wuthering Heights, misreads relationships, begs for a guide, is attacked by dogs, and must stay overnight.
- HeathcliffOwner of Wuthering Heights; curt, refuses Lockwood aid, mocks his plight, and enforces strict barriers to guests.
- Mrs. Heathcliff (young widow)Heathcliff’s daughter-in-law; beautiful, scornful, constrained; spars with Joseph, refuses to help Lockwood beyond curt advice.
- Hareton EarnshawRough young man; hostile to Lockwood, refuses to escort him, laughs during the dog attack.
- JosephElderly servant; churlish, superstitious, denounces the young widow’s mock ‘Black Art,’ raises dogs on Lockwood.
- ZillahHousekeeper; only benevolent figure, intervenes, revives Lockwood with brandy, and finds him a bed.