Emily Bronte (1818-1848)

Wuthering Heights 

• Catherine
• Heathcliff
• Lockwood
• Thrushcross Grange
• Nelly Dean
• Mr. Earnshaw
• Hindley
• Edgar Linton
• Hareton
• Frances

Plot summary:

• Story is narrated by Lockwood, who rents Thrushcross Grange from Heathcliff, which is close to Wuthering Heights. Much of the action is narrated to Lockwood during his illness by his housekeeper, Nelly Dean.
• Mr. Earnshaw, the original owner of Wuthering Heights, brings back the dark-skinned foundling Heathcliff from Liverpool. Earnshaw's children, Hindley and Catherine, initially detest the boy, but Heathcliff eventually wins Catherine's affections to the resentment of Hindley, who sees Heathcliff as an interloper of his father's affections.
• Hindley leaves for college and Catherine and Heathcliff become inseparable.
• Three years later, Hindley returns from college with a wife called Frances. He takes over Wuthering Heights and forces Heathcliff to work as a hired hand. Nonetheless, Heathcliff and Catherine remain friends.
• Because of an accident, Catherine is forced to stay at the Linton family estate, Thrushcross Grange, for some weeks. She matures and grows attached to Edgar Linton.
• A year later, Frances dies after the birth of her child, Hareton. Hindley turns to alcohol.
• Two years later, Catherine becomes engaged to Edgar, causing Heathcliff to leave. 
• Three years later, Heathcliff returns to visit after having amassed significant wealth. He dupes HIndley into owing him Wuthering Heights and elopes with Edgar's sister, Isabella, thus inheriting Thrushcross Grange as well, only in order to hurt Edgar. He is cruel towards Isabella and Hareton, Hindley's son.
• Catherine dies giving birth to her child, also named Catherine. Isabella flees from Heathcliff's cruelty a year after and gives birth to a boy, Linton.
• Hindley dies and Heathcliff takes control of Wuthering Heights as well as Hareton. 
• Heathcliff forces his real son Linton, who is a young sickly thing, to marry Catherine. Linton dies as well as Catherine's father, Edgar. This leaves young Catherine alone and a virtual prisoner at Wuthering Heights.
• It is at this point in the story that Lockwood arrives. He is horrified and leaves for London.
• Young Catherine is at first repulsed by Hareton's roughness but eventually grows tender towards him. 
• Heathcliff dies after being tormented for years by Catherine's ghost and Catherine and Hareton marry.