Mr. Hindley Earnshaw: Returns home for his father's funeral after three years away. Described as considerably altered - grown sparer, lost his color, speaks and dresses differently. Brings home a mysterious wife. Becomes tyrannical toward Heathcliff, demoting him to servant status and forbidding his education with the curate. Orders the house rearranged with servants moved to back-kitchen.
Hindley's Wife (unnamed): New arrival, origins unknown. Described as rather thin but young, fresh-complexioned, with eyes that "sparkled as bright as diamonds." Shows symptoms of illness - breathes quickly when climbing stairs, startled by sudden noises, coughs troublesomely. Delighted by everything at Wuthering Heights except funeral preparations. Initially affectionate with Catherine but tires quickly. Expresses dislike for Heathcliff which influences Hindley's treatment of him.
Nelly Dean (narrator): The housekeeper, telling this story to Mr. Lockwood. Must move to back-kitchen per Hindley's orders. Watches over Catherine and Heathcliff, worrying about their increasingly reckless behavior but afraid to speak up.
Catherine Earnshaw: Around twelve years old (Isabella Linton is eleven and "a year younger than Cathy"). Taught by Heathcliff what she learns since he's forbidden education. Runs wild on the moors with Heathcliff. During the Thrushcross Grange incident, she's attacked by the bulldog Skulker who bites her ankle. Treated as a young lady by the Lintons, given medical care, food, and proper clothing.
Heathcliff: Degraded from family member to servant status. Forbidden from receiving education from the curate, forced to do outdoor labor "as hard as any other lad on the farm." Maintains close bond with Catherine. During Thrushcross Grange incident, attempts to save Catherine from the dog attack. Dismissed by the Lintons as a "gipsy" and "strange acquisition" from Liverpool.
Joseph: Servant who remains at Wuthering Heights. Mentioned as someone who would thrash Heathcliff for punishment, along with the curate.
The Curate (Mr. Shielders): Previously provided education to Heathcliff, now forbidden by Hindley. Sets chapters for Catherine to memorize as punishment.
Edgar Linton: Lives at Thrushcross Grange with his sister. Described as weeping silently during the dog quarrel incident. Recognizes Catherine at the end of the incident. Shows "stupid admiration" for Catherine.
Isabella Linton: Edgar's sister, eleven years old (one year younger than Catherine). Described as screaming during the dog incident. Calls Heathcliff "frightful" and compares him to "the son of the fortune-teller that stole my tame pheasant."
Mr. and Mrs. Linton: Parents at Thrushcross Grange. Mr. Linton is a magistrate who had rent-day recently. Mrs. Linton wears spectacles. Both treat Catherine as a young lady but view Heathcliff as a criminal. Mr. Linton visits Wuthering Heights the next day to lecture Hindley.
Robert: Linton family servant who handles the intruders.
Skulker: The Linton family bulldog who attacks Catherine.
Three years after Hindley's departure: Hindley returns home for his father's funeral, bringing his mysterious wife.
Upon arrival: Hindley orders Joseph and Nelly to move to the back-kitchen, plans house renovations (later abandoned when wife likes current arrangements).
Following the funeral: Hindley degrades Heathcliff to servant status, removes his educational privileges, forces outdoor labor.
Period following: Catherine and Heathcliff develop pattern of running to the moors, receiving punishments they laugh off.
One Sunday evening: Catherine and Heathcliff are banished from sitting-room for making noise. They disappear, prompting household search. Hindley orders doors bolted, swearing not to let them in that night.
That same evening: Nelly waits up despite rain. Heathcliff returns alone with lantern. He recounts the evening's adventure at Thrushcross Grange, where Catherine was injured by the dog and remained for care.
The following day ("the morrow"): Mr. Linton visits Wuthering Heights to lecture Hindley about his family management.
Wuthering Heights has a back-kitchen where servants are now quartered
The main room has white floors, huge glowing fireplace, pewter dishes, delf-case, and dog-kennel
Thrushcross Grange drawing-room is described as "splendid place carpeted with crimson, and crimson-covered chairs and tables, and a pure white ceiling bordered by gold, a shower of glass-drops hanging in silver chains"
The distance from Wuthering Heights to Thrushcross Grange can be run without stopping ("from the top of the Heights to the park")
There's a broken hedge providing access to Thrushcross Grange property
Skulker is a large bulldog with "huge, purple tongue" and "pendent lips"
Mr. Linton is a magistrate with rent-day responsibilities
The curate's name is Mr. Shielders
Hindley's absence: Three years away from Wuthering Heights
Isabella Linton: Eleven years old
Catherine Earnshaw: Twelve years old (one year older than Isabella)
Timeline reference: This chapter occurs at time of old Mr. Earnshaw's funeral (Hindley's father)
Hindley Earnshaw: Dramatically altered after three years away - physically (sparer, lost color), socially (speaks and dresses differently), and behaviorally (now tyrannical toward Heathcliff, asserting master status). The cause of these changes is not explained beyond the time passage.
Mysterious wife: Her origins, background, and how Hindley met her are deliberately unexplained, creating intrigue about her identity and possible illness symptoms.
New threads introduced:
Mystery of Hindley's wife's identity and background
Her apparent illness (breathing difficulties, nervousness, cough)
Social division being enforced between Catherine/Heathcliff and the Linton children
Catherine's injury and extended stay at Thrushcross Grange
Existing threads advanced:
Heathcliff's degradation from family member to servant continues the class/social status theme
Catherine and Heathcliff's bond deepens through shared rebellion and adventure
Threads complicated:
Hindley's tyranny creates new obstacles for Catherine and Heathcliff's relationship
The Linton family's intervention threatens to separate the pair
Catherine's injury provides opportunity for class-based differential treatment
Hindley's wife's health symptoms: Her breathing difficulties, nervousness, and cough strongly suggest serious illness that may prove fatal
Class division reinforcement: The stark difference in how Catherine and Heathcliff are treated by the Lintons sets up future conflicts over social status
Catherine's attraction to Thrushcross Grange lifestyle: Her enjoyment of the luxury and proper treatment may create internal conflict between her bond with Heathcliff and social advancement
Nelly's warning: "There will more come of this business than you reckon on" - direct foreshadowing of consequences from the Thrushcross Grange incident
Threat of Heathcliff's dismissal: Hindley's warning that "the first word he spoke to Miss Catherine should ensure a dismissal" sets up potential separation
The Lintons' "stupid admiration" for Catherine: Edgar and Isabella's fascination suggests romantic complications ahead