Wuthering Heights, Chapter 3 summary
Chapter 3 of 34 · 20 min to read the chapter
In Chapter 3, Lockwood discovers Catherine Earnshaw’s writings, dreams of a child calling herself Catherine Linton, and witnesses Heathcliff’s desperate longing for her. The writings expose Hindley’s harsh treatment of Catherine and Heathcliff, while the nightmare reveals grief beneath the host’s anger before Lockwood returns home through deep snow.
What happens
- Zillah places Lockwood in a restricted bedroom, where he finds Catherine’s names scratched into a ledge and reads her handwritten notes.
- Catherine describes Joseph’s harsh religious discipline and Hindley’s efforts to separate her from Heathcliff.
- Lockwood dreams of an endless sermon that ends with the congregation attacking him.
- A second nightmare brings a child calling herself Catherine Linton to the window, and Lockwood’s scream summons Heathcliff.
- After hearing the dream, Heathcliff opens the window and tearfully begs Catherine to enter.
- At dawn, Lockwood witnesses another household quarrel, accepts Heathcliff’s guidance across the moor, and reaches home exhausted at noon.
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In this chapter
What to notice
Heathcliff’s appeal reveals intense affection and grief beneath his hostile behavior. Lockwood witnesses the emotion but cannot explain its cause.
Quick check
What actually causes the knocking that enters Lockwood’s first dream?
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