Character: Catherine Earnshaw from the novel Wuthering Heights (1847)
by Emily Bronte
Illustration by artist, Debra Hall (2026)


The young Catherine (Cathy) and Heathcliff soon become inseparable. A sympathetic child, Cathy hates the way her brother, Hindley resents Heathcliff. Later, after their father dies, she is judged for giving Heathcliff time.


Cathy loves roaming the moors: she runs, climbs and then hides with Heathcliff in the rocky landscape. She regards Heathcliff as an equal and them as one.


Once Cathy spied on the Linton's through the window of Thrushcross Hall her desire to make the social climb into a new life that did not include Heathcliff becomes too strong.


Cathy, a dark-haired, pale skinned northern lass full of energy and passion, is also a vain, self-absorbed Victorian lady. She swaps the carefree life for palour room formality. 


Once Heathcliff returns after a long absence, changed, a man of means now, any loyalty Cathy has to husband, Edgar slowly disappears.  Jealousy rules her and a possessiveness of Heathcliff continues even after her tragic death.


REFERENCES


Cohen, J.M and M.J. The New Penguin Dictionary of Quotations 2002


Google.com


https://www.woodstockhistorycenter.org/articles/2023/8/16/the-victorian-parlor