Wuthering Heights

Emily Brontë

Two houses, two generations, and a love that behaves like weather.

GothicTragedyObsessionRevengeClassLandscape

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English reading edition

Full Project Gutenberg text, newly typeset—not a publisher scan. Public-domain status varies by country; check local laws. The source license is included.

Edition and source

How to read it

Nested unreliable narrators keep the centre unreachable: we never get Heathcliff and Catherine directly, only servants' hearsay — which is why the book feels like something remembered rather than told.

Complete section guide

Continuous chapter numbering, 1–34, matching the English text. Descriptive headings are editorial. Summaries contain spoilers; descriptive headings are editorial.

Chapter 1Lockwood’s visit
Lockwood visits Heathcliff at Wuthering Heights and encounters the household’s hostility and aggressive dogs.
Chapter 2Snowbound
Lockwood mistakes the family relationships. Snow and an inhospitable welcome force him to stay overnight.
Chapter 3The ghost
Catherine’s writings prompt Lockwood’s nightmare of her ghost at the window. Heathcliff responds with desperate grief.
Chapter 4The foundling
Nelly begins the family history: Earnshaw brings Heathcliff from Liverpool, awakening Hindley’s jealousy.
Chapter 5Earnshaw dies
The dying Earnshaw favors Heathcliff and sends Hindley away. Catherine comforts her father before his death.
Chapter 6The Grange
Hindley returns and degrades Heathcliff. A dog bites Catherine while she and Heathcliff spy on the Lintons.
Chapter 7Catherine returns
Catherine’s polished manners expose Heathcliff’s degradation. Edgar’s insult and Hindley’s punishment strengthen his desire for revenge.
Chapter 8Hindley’s decline
Frances dies after Hareton’s birth. Hindley drinks heavily as Catherine’s divided loyalties draw Edgar into conflict.
Chapter 9Heathcliff leaves
Heathcliff hears that marriage to him would degrade Catherine, but misses her declaration of spiritual unity. He disappears; Catherine later marries Edgar.
Chapter 10The return
Heathcliff returns wealthy, stays with Hindley and attracts Isabella’s affection, alarming Edgar.
Chapter 11The quarrel
Heathcliff’s attention to Isabella provokes confrontation. Catherine locks herself away and refuses food.
Chapter 12Delirium
Catherine becomes seriously ill and longs for the moors. Isabella elopes with Heathcliff.
Chapter 13Isabella’s letter
Catherine’s pregnancy becomes known. Isabella describes the brutality of her marriage and the Heights.
Chapter 14The message
Nelly sees Heathcliff’s cruelty to Isabella. He pressures her to deliver a letter and arrange a meeting with Catherine.
Chapter 15The final meeting
Catherine and Heathcliff exchange love and accusations. She collapses as Edgar returns.
Chapter 16Birth and death
Catherine gives birth to Cathy and dies. Heathcliff begs her to haunt him.
Chapter 17Isabella escapes
Isabella flees and later bears Linton. Hindley dies, leaving Heathcliff in control of the mortgaged estate.
Chapter 18Cathy explores
Sheltered Cathy visits the Heights and meets Hareton, learning that he is her cousin.
Chapter 19Linton arrives
Edgar brings Isabella’s fragile son to the Grange. Joseph demands that he be delivered to Heathcliff.
Chapter 20Father and son
Nelly takes Linton to his father. Heathcliff despises the child but recognizes his usefulness.
Chapter 21Secret letters
Heathcliff encourages the cousins’ connection. Cathy and Linton correspond until Nelly discovers the letters.
Chapter 22An appeal
Heathcliff claims Linton is suffering because Cathy has neglected him. She agrees to visit.
Chapter 23The visit
Linton’s complaints mar the meeting. Nelly becomes ill, enabling further secret visits.
Chapter 24Confession
Cathy tells Nelly of her visits and her mockery of Hareton’s reading. Edgar forbids the trips.
Chapter 25Edgar’s hopes
The ailing Edgar considers marriage to Linton as protection for Cathy and allows meetings away from the Heights.
Chapter 26A fearful suitor
Linton’s weakness and terror suggest that Heathcliff controls his insistence on further meetings.
Chapter 27Captivity
Heathcliff imprisons Cathy and Nelly, refusing release until Cathy marries Linton.
Chapter 28Edgar’s death
Nelly is released and returns to the dying Edgar. Cathy escapes after her marriage and reaches him before he dies.
Chapter 29Heathcliff’s claim
Heathcliff takes Cathy back. He tells Nelly of opening Catherine’s grave and planning to lie beside her.
Chapter 30Linton dies
Zillah describes Linton’s death and Cathy’s neglected nursing. His will gives Heathcliff the property; Lockwood prepares to leave.
Chapter 31Books burned
Cathy ridicules Hareton’s effort to read. Humiliated, he burns his books while Lockwood announces his departure.
Chapter 32A changed household
Lockwood returns to find Cathy teaching Hareton. Nelly explains how apology led to their friendship.
Chapter 33Revenge fades
The young pair remind Heathcliff of Catherine. He loses the will to complete his revenge.
Chapter 34A new beginning
Heathcliff stops eating and dies. Cathy and Hareton plan marriage, and Lockwood contemplates the graves.