Catherine Linton
(1784–)

Biographical

Catherine was born on the 20th of March 1784 to Edgar Linton and Catherine Earnshaw. Raised by her father and Nelly Dean at Thrushcross Grange, she is high-spirited, attractive, and affectionate, inheriting the best traits of both families. She is drawn into the family conflict by Heathcliff through trickery, and is forced to marry her cousin, Linton, on the 31st of August 1801, so that he and his father will inherit the Grange after her father's death. At Wuthering Heights, she becomes irate and gloomy as she is forced to nurse the sickly Linton without medical aid, and to tolerate the abusive, violent Heathcliff. Linton dies in 1801, and she becomes close to her cousin, Hareton, and they fall in love. Heathcliff observes this, and is aware of what is happening, but he does not interfere. The couple ultimately finds happiness, and in 1803 they plan to marry and move to the Grange.

© 2024 The Universal Compendium