Mrs. Dean (Ellen) - Housekeeper at Thrushcross Grange; narrator telling the story to Mr. Lockwood. Shows loyalty to the Linton family and acts as confidante to Edgar. Takes on role of guardian/chaperone for Catherine's meetings with Linton.
Mr. Lockwood - The stranger/tenant Mrs. Dean is telling the story to. Shows interest in Catherine Linton and has asked for her picture to hang over his fireplace. Claims to be from "the busy world" and plans to return there. Appears young and restless.
Catherine Linton (Cathy) - Edgar's daughter, turns 17 during this chapter (on her birthday Edgar doesn't visit the churchyard due to rain). Described as having "buoyant spirit" and being a "good girl." Serves as Edgar's "living hope" and brings him happiness. Acts as advocate for meeting with young Linton.
Edgar Linton - Catherine's father, master of Thrushcross Grange. Seriously ill and declining, though he resumes walks with Catherine which she interprets as recovery. Has set aside yearly income for Catherine's fortune. Conflicted about young Linton as potential husband for Catherine. Visits his late wife's grave regularly at Gimmerton Kirk.
Young Linton Heathcliff - Heathcliff's son, Edgar's nephew. Described as "very delicate" and "scarcely likely to reach manhood." Does not resemble his father. Writes letters to Edgar requesting to see Catherine. Claims his health is "better" but appears to be declining rapidly (unknown to others).
Heathcliff - Young Linton's father. Forbids his son from visiting Thrushcross Grange and objects to meetings. Monitors all correspondence between his son and Edgar. Described as treating his dying son "tyrannically and wickedly."
Catherine's mother - Deceased, buried at Gimmerton Kirk. Edgar visits her grave regularly and wishes to be buried beside her.
Last winter (approximately one year before Mrs. Dean's narration) - The events she's describing took place.
February - Edgar stands at window looking toward Gimmerton Kirk on a misty afternoon with dim sun shining.
Spring advances - Edgar regains some strength and resumes walks with Catherine.
Catherine's 17th birthday - Raining, so Edgar doesn't visit the churchyard as usual.
June - Edgar is still declining. Meetings between Catherine and young Linton are arranged once weekly under Mrs. Dean's supervision, on the moors nearest the Grange.
Gimmerton Kirk has two fir-trees in the yard and scattered gravestones
Edgar came down "that glen a bridegroom" (reference to his wedding approach to the church)
Catherine's mother is buried at Gimmerton Kirk with a "green mound" marking her grave
Edgar has been setting aside yearly income for Catherine's fortune
Young Linton is four years and more away from "being of age"
No doctor visits Wuthering Heights
Edgar wishes Catherine to retain/return to "the house of her ancestors"
The only prospect for this is union with his heir (young Linton)
Catherine Linton: Turns 17 during this chapter
Young Linton: "Four years and more to his being of age" - so likely 16 or younger
Timeline: Events described happened "last winter," "hardly more than a year ago"
Edgar's illness duration: Has been ongoing since at least last winter, continuing through spring into June
Young Linton's health: Claims to be "better" in letters but is actually "failing almost as fast as" Edgar, though this isn't known to the Grange household
Edgar's condition: Shows some improvement (resuming walks) but continues declining overall
New threads introduced:
Lockwood's romantic interest in Catherine Linton
The question of Catherine's future marriage and inheritance
Young Linton's true health status versus what others believe
Existing threads advanced:
Edgar's declining health progresses
The separation between the two households continues
Young Linton's desire to see Catherine grows stronger
Threads complicated:
Edgar torn between wanting Catherine's happiness and fearing young Linton is unworthy
Heathcliff's interference prevents natural courtship between the young people
Edgar's knowledge of his approaching death versus Catherine's belief in his recovery
Edgar's death: Multiple references to his approaching death and his wishes for Catherine after he's gone - "I wish my nephew would write..."; "I thought the memory of the hour I came down that glen a bridegroom would be less sweet than the anticipation that I was soon, in a few months, or, possibly, weeks, to be carried up, and laid in its lonely hollow!"
Young Linton's manipulation: Heathcliff is forcing his dying son to pursue Catherine for inheritance purposes - "his efforts redoubling the more imminently his avaricious and unfeeling plans were threatened with defeat by death"
The arranged meetings: Weekly supervised meetings between Catherine and young Linton are established, setting up future romantic developments
Catherine's inheritance: Edgar's desire for her to "retain—or at least return in a short time to—the house of her ancestors" suggests the property inheritance will be crucial to the plot
Lockwood's role: His interest in Catherine suggests he may become involved in future events, though he claims he'll return to "the busy world"
Young Linton's correspondence: The contrast between his eloquent, heartfelt letters requesting meetings and the reality that Heathcliff monitors every line suggests manipulation and coaching.