Isabella Heathcliff (née Linton) - Present in scene as main narrator of the chapter. Physical details: hair streaming on shoulders, dripping with snow and water; wearing a girlish silk frock with short sleeves, no head or neck covering; thin slippers; deep cut under one ear (bleeding), white face scratched and bruised, frame exhausted from fatigue. Shows determination to leave Heathcliff permanently, bitter hatred toward him, some satisfaction at his suffering. Takes wedding ring off and throws it in fire. Edgar's sister, Heathcliff's wife (estranged). Escapes from Wuthering Heights to Thrushcross Grange.
Ellen Dean (Nelly) - Present in scene as listener/caretaker. Tending to Catherine's baby, provides care to Isabella, arranges carriage and clothes. Shows moral guidance, critical of Isabella's vengeful attitude.
Heathcliff - Mentioned extensively in Isabella's account, appears in her flashback narrative. Physical details: black countenance, sharp cannibal teeth, hair and clothes whitened with snow, forehead "diabolical," basilisk eyes nearly quenched by sleeplessness and weeping, lashes wet, lips sealed in "unspeakable sadness." Has been absent from meals for nearly a week, praying in his chamber. Violent toward Isabella and Hindley. Later inquires about Isabella's location and their child.
Edgar Linton - Mentioned as being in his room/bed during Isabella's visit. Described as having been unkind to Isabella. After Isabella leaves, becomes a hermit, throws up magistracy, avoids society. Shows deep attachment to baby Catherine. Is described as displaying "true courage of a loyal and faithful soul."
Hindley Earnshaw - In Isabella's flashback account. Physical appearance: sitting with head leant on hand, deadly sick, gaunt and ghastly. Attempts to shoot Heathcliff with loaded pistol and knife but is overpowered. Gets trampled and beaten by Heathcliff, suffers severe wounds. Dies six months after Catherine, age 27, from drinking himself to death. Had mortgaged all property to Heathcliff.
Catherine's baby (Cathy) - Present as infant. Named Catherine but called "Cathy" by Edgar to distinguish from her mother. Edgar becomes deeply attached to her.
Joseph - Appears in Isabella's account at Wuthering Heights. Finds Heathcliff and Hindley after the fight, prays over the scene. Described as "odious old man" and "staunch supporter" of someone.
Hareton Earnshaw - Mentioned briefly in Isabella's account. Hanging puppies from chair-back, knocked over by Isabella during her escape. Now reduced to servant status in his own house due to his father's debts. Hindley's son, Catherine's nephew.
Dr. Kenneth - Appears at chapter end to announce Hindley's death. Describes Heathcliff as looking "blooming" and "rapidly regaining flesh since he lost his better half."
Friday - Last of fine weather for a month That evening - Weather breaks, wind shifts from south to north-east, brings rain, then sleet and snow The morrow (Saturday) - Winter weather continues, Isabella arrives at Thrushcross Grange Previous week - Heathcliff had been absent from Wuthering Heights "from last Sunday till to-day," not eating meals with household Yesterday evening (Friday night) - The confrontation between Isabella, Hindley, and Heathcliff occurs at Wuthering Heights This morning (Saturday morning) - Isabella sees aftermath, taunts Heathcliff and Hindley, then flees Present (Saturday) - Isabella tells her story to Ellen, then leaves for the south Future reference - Isabella establishes correspondence with Edgar, has son "a few months subsequent to her escape" 13 years later - Isabella dies when her son Linton is twelve 6 months after Catherine's death - Hindley dies at age 27
The weather changed dramatically from three weeks of summer weather to winter conditions
Isabella's wedding ring is gold, which she throws in the fire
Hindley had a loaded pistol and knife as weapons
The house has lattice windows and casements with stanchions
Wuthering Heights has a kitchen door and front entrance
Isabella escapes across the moor to reach Thrushcross Grange
The baby is named Catherine but called "Cathy"
Hindley dies at exactly age 27 (same age as Nelly)
All of Earnshaw's property was mortgaged to Heathcliff for gambling debts
Hareton now lives as a servant in his own house
Isabella settles "in the south, near London"
Hindley Earnshaw: Dies at age 27
Ellen Dean: Same age as Hindley (27)
Isabella's son Linton: Born "a few months" after Isabella's escape, dies at age 12
Isabella: Dies 13 years after Catherine's death, when Linton is 12
Time spans:
Heathcliff absent from meals "nearly a week"
Six months between Catherine's and Hindley's deaths
Three weeks of summer weather before the weather change
Heathcliff's dramatic physical deterioration: described as "almost as gaunt and ghastly" and showing signs of sleeplessness and weeping
Edgar transforms from grief into complete hermit, giving up his magistracy and social duties
The weather's sudden shift from three weeks of summer to harsh winter
New threads introduced:
Isabella's son Linton is born and will presumably be important
Heathcliff now owns Wuthering Heights through Hindley's mortgage debts
Hareton is reduced to servant status in his own home
Existing threads advanced:
Isabella finally escapes Heathcliff permanently
The violent relationship between Heathcliff and Hindley reaches its climax
Threads resolved:
Hindley's story ends with his death from alcoholism
Isabella's marriage to Heathcliff effectively ends
The question of Wuthering Heights' ownership is settled
Heathcliff's threat: "But I'll have it [the child], when I want it. They may reckon on that!" - suggests future conflict over Isabella's son
The emphasis on Hareton being "his wife's nephew" and Edgar's duty as guardian sets up potential future custody issues
Heathcliff's comment about making "one tree grow as crooked as another" regarding Hareton foreshadows his plans to corrupt the boy
The lawyer's warning that "Hareton would be found little else than a beggar" establishes the unfairness of his situation
Isabella's son being described as "an ailing, peevish creature" suggests future health problems