Mr. Lockwood - Narrator and tenant of Thrushcross Grange. Present throughout, returns unexpectedly after time away. Takes a journey north for hunting, decides to visit his property. Described as having servants and traveling by horse.
The Old Housekeeper at Thrushcross Grange - Unnamed elderly woman who has replaced Mrs. Dean. Speaks in Yorkshire dialect, smokes a pipe, becomes flustered by Lockwood's unexpected arrival. Sits on housesteps with a young girl.
Young Girl - About nine or ten years old, sits knitting under the porch at Thrushcross Grange. Follows the housekeeper inside when Lockwood arrives.
Catherine Heathcliff (young Catherine/Cathy) - Now Mrs. Heathcliff, teaching Hareton to read. Described with "light, shining ringlets" and a "small white hand." Voice described as "sweet as a silver bell." Shows both affection and impatience with Hareton. Previously mocked his attempts at reading, now seeks reconciliation.
Hareton Earnshaw - Catherine's cousin, being taught to read by her. Described as "a young man, respectably dressed" with "handsome features" and "brown locks." Initially resistant and sullen, gradually softens toward Catherine. His gun burst in March, injuring his arm.
Mrs. Ellen (Nelly) Dean - Former housekeeper at Thrushcross Grange, now at Wuthering Heights. Sewing and singing when Lockwood finds her. Acts as intermediary between Catherine and Hareton, manages Catherine's affairs since she "has not learnt to manage her affairs yet."
Heathcliff - Deceased (died three months ago). Had become increasingly antisocial, banishing Hareton from his apartment. Requested Mrs. Dean come to Wuthering Heights after Lockwood left for London.
Joseph - Elderly servant at Wuthering Heights, speaks in heavy Yorkshire dialect. Disapproves of Catherine and Hareton's friendship, considers it scandalous. Goes to Gimmerton fair on Easter Monday with cattle. Spreads his Bible and money on the table each evening.
Zillah - Former housekeeper who left Wuthering Heights (mentioned only).
1802, September: Lockwood travels north for hunting, passes within 15 miles of Gimmerton. Decides to visit Thrushcross Grange, arrives before sunset. Finds Mrs. Dean has moved to Wuthering Heights, new housekeeper in residence.
That evening: Lockwood walks to Wuthering Heights, observes Catherine teaching Hareton to read through the window. Finds Mrs. Dean in the kitchen, learns of Heathcliff's death three months prior.
Three months before Lockwood's visit (approximately June 1802): Heathcliff dies with a "queer end."
Within a fortnight of Lockwood's departure to London: Mrs. Dean summoned to Wuthering Heights. Catherine confined to garden, becomes restless and quarrelsome.
March: Hareton's gun bursts while hunting alone, injures his arm, confined to kitchen during recovery.
Easter Monday: Joseph goes to Gimmerton fair. Catherine and Hareton reconcile - she kisses his cheek, gives him a wrapped book, they become friends and allies.
Following period: Catherine and Hareton's intimacy grows despite temporary interruptions.
Gimmerton is fourteen miles from where Lockwood stops, over rough hills
The journey from Gimmerton to Thrushcross Grange takes about three hours by horse
Wuthering Heights has both doors and lattices open, with gardens now containing stocks and wallflowers
The house is large enough that inhabitants can withdraw from the fire's heat
Catherine is forbidden to leave the garden at Wuthering Heights
Mrs. Dean now manages Catherine's affairs as she hasn't learned to do so herself
Joseph keeps his money and Bible together, spreading both on the table nightly
The book Catherine gives Hareton is "full of costly pictures"
1802: Current year of events Three months prior to September 1802: Heathcliff's death (approximately June 1802) March 1802: Hareton's hunting accident Easter Monday: Day of Catherine and Hareton's reconciliation (specific date in 1802)
The young girl at Thrushcross Grange is described as "nine or ten" years old. No other specific ages given in this chapter.
Mrs. Dean's relocation: She has moved from Thrushcross Grange to Wuthering Heights, now managing Catherine's affairs rather than serving as housekeeper.
Catherine's status: Now referred to as "Mrs. Heathcliff" and needing someone to manage her affairs, suggesting inheritance responsibilities.
Wuthering Heights' condition: The property now has fragrant gardens with stocks and wallflowers, and open doors/windows - a marked improvement from its previous grim state.
Hareton's appearance: Now "respectably dressed" and described as handsome, a significant improvement from earlier descriptions.
New threads introduced:
The nature of Heathcliff's "queer" death remains unexplored
Catherine and Hareton's developing romance
Catherine's inability to manage her inherited affairs
Existing threads advanced:
The reconciliation between Catherine and Hareton progresses from hostility to friendship to implied romance
The education theme continues with Catherine teaching Hareton to read
Threads resolved:
The antagonism between Catherine and Hareton is overcome
Catherine's remorse for previously mocking Hareton's reading attempts leads to reconciliation
Mrs. Dean's final comment: "The crown of all my wishes will be the union of those two. I shall envy no one on their wedding day: there won't be a happier woman than myself in England!" - clearly sets up an impending marriage between Catherine and Hareton.
The costly picture book: Emphasized as keeping them "unmoved till Joseph came home," suggesting literature and learning as binding forces in their relationship.
Joseph's disapproval: His "perfectly aghast" reaction and declaration that "This hoile's neither mensful nor seemly for us" sets up potential future conflict over the relationship.
Heathcliff's "queer" end: Mrs. Dean's characterization of his death as unusual promises future revelation of the circumstances.
The chapter serves as a resolution setup, showing the positive transformation of the younger generation while leaving Heathcliff's death mysterious and promising the union of Catherine and Hareton as the story's culmination.