Wuthering Heights, Chapter 2 summary

What happens

1. Driven from his study by dust, the narrator walks to Wuthering Heights as snow begins to fall.
2. A young man admits him, but the young woman inside offers little welcome.
3. At tea, Heathcliff identifies Mrs. Heathcliff as his widowed daughter-in-law, and Hareton Earnshaw angrily names himself.
4. The storm prevents a safe return, but Heathcliff refuses to provide a guide or let the narrator sleep alone downstairs.
5. The narrator seizes Joseph’s lantern, and dogs knock him down while Heathcliff and Hareton laugh.
6. Zillah helps the bleeding, faint visitor, gives him brandy on Heathcliff’s orders, and shows him to bed.

In this chapter

What to notice

The narrator distinguishes material warmth from human kindness. The comfortable room cannot relieve his discomfort among its hostile occupants.

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