Wuthering Heights: Plot Summary (Edexcel A-Level English Literature): Revision Notes

Wuthering Heights: Plot Summary

1. Mr Lockwood, an outsider renting Thrushcross Grange, visits his landlord Mr Heathcliff at Wuthering Heights.
2. On his first visit, Heathcliff is gruff but intriguing.
3. On his second visit, Lockwood meets other mysterious residents, is attacked by dogs, and experiences a ghostly visitation overnight.
4. Lockwood asks the housekeeper, Ellen "Nelly" Dean, to tell him about Heathcliff and Wuthering Heights.

5. Nelly recounts the complex story of the Earnshaw and Linton families.
6. Mr Earnshaw, owner of Wuthering Heights, has two children, Hindley and Catherine, and adopts Heathcliff.
7. Hindley, jealous of Heathcliff, is sent away to college, during which time Catherine and Heathcliff become very close.
8. Mr. Earnshaw dies, and Hindley returns with a new wife to claim Wuthering Heights, treating Heathcliff as a servant.
9. Hindley's wife dies after giving birth to Hareton, leading Hindley into alcoholism and more abuse towards Heathcliff.

10. Heathcliff and Catherine become interested in the Lintons, who live at Thrushcross Grange.
11. Catherine becomes close to Edgar Linton but remains passionate about Heathcliff, though she feels she can't marry him due to his degraded status.
12. Heathcliff overhears Catherine's doubts and flees Wuthering Heights.
13. Catherine marries Edgar and moves to Thrushcross Grange, but Heathcliff returns wealthy and refined, yet still wild.
14. Catherine is thrilled by Heathcliff's return, but Edgar disapproves, leading to secret meetings between Catherine and Heathcliff.
15. Heathcliff moves into Wuthering Heights, and Hindley, a gambler, welcomes him for his money.
16. Catherine reveals that Isabella Linton has a crush on Heathcliff, leading to a developing romance.
17. Edgar demands Catherine choose between him and Heathcliff, leading Catherine to lock herself in her room and refuse to eat, becoming frenzied and delusional.

18. Heathcliff elopes with Isabella, treating her terribly after their marriage.
19. Edgar nurses Catherine, who discovers she is pregnant.
20. Heathcliff visits Catherine, and they profess their love before she collapses and gives birth to a girl, Cathy, who then dies.
21. Catherine is buried overlooking the moors where she played with Heathcliff.
22. Isabella escapes Heathcliff, gives birth to their son, Linton, and moves near London.
23. Hindley dies deeply in debt to Heathcliff, who becomes the owner of Wuthering Heights and puts Hareton into servitude.
24. Twelve years pass. Cathy grows into a beautiful young woman, while Hareton grows rough.
25. Isabella dies, and Edgar brings Linton back, but Heathcliff insists Linton live at Wuthering Heights.
26. Heathcliff cultivates a friendship between Linton and Cathy. Edgar allows Cathy to meet Linton as his health fails.
27. Heathcliff forces Cathy and Nelly to stay at Wuthering Heights until Cathy marries Linton.
28. Cathy returns to Thrushcross Grange to be with her dying father but is soon taken back to Wuthering Heights. Edgar is buried next to Catherine.
29. Linton dies, and Heathcliff gains ownership of both Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange.
30. Cathy reluctantly lives with Heathcliff and Hareton, mocking Hareton for his illiteracy.
31. Lockwood returns to London but visits six months later to find Cathy and Hareton have fallen in love.
32. Cathy sees Hareton's nobility and kindness, and Heathcliff, seeing Catherine in both, no longer seeks revenge.
33. Heathcliff dies and is buried beside Catherine.

34. Cathy and Hareton, free of interference, plan to marry and move to Thrushcross Grange.