Exploring Character

1. A Family Tree

Exploring character
If asked to map out the relationships of
blood, love and service in this novel
you would probably find it quite hard.
The following activities give you the
opportunity to create both a family
tree and a character map for the
novel, and are best done either well
into your reading or when you have
finished the book.

1. A Family Tree
1. Below is a list of the main characters in the novel. Using a
pencil, write them into the family tree structure on page 19.
. Hindley
. Catherine [1]
. Catherine [2]
. Heathcliff
. Edgar
. Hareton.
2. Next mark in the more unconventional relationships between
these characters. Consider the following kinds of bond:
. foster child and guardian
. adoptive father or mother (after the death of a parent)
. lovers.

1. A Family Tree
3. Now put in the following important characters, who have no blood tie
to those you have already put onto the family tree. Consider carefully
where you will position them. You may need to tie them to more than
one location and character and draw several lines.
. Nelly
. Lockwood
. Joseph
. Zillah.
4. Finally, write in any other important bonds and antagonisms between
characters that are crucial to the plot of this novel. For example:
. sworn enemies
. characters seeking revenge upon others
. characters bound to others by duty of service or some more
instinctive affiliation
. characters haunted by the ghosts of the dead.

Exploring Character
Character maps

Stage 1: Becoming an
expert
In pairs or small groups, decide which character you would like to study. Try to make
sure that all the characters are being studied by at least one group in the class.
1. In your group, build up a visual map of the character. You could do this as a
spider diagram, a table or the outline of a figure. Your character map should
include quotations, close references to the text and interpretative or critical
comments covering:
character traits
physical description
actions they take
Behaviour
images with which they are associated
what they say
what others say about them.
You could use the quotations and interpretative statements on the handout provided
to start you off, but you should also investigate the novel yourself.
2. Use your character map to plan a two-minute presentation summarising your
findings.

2. Naming in Wuthering
Heights

Names play an important role in Wuthering Heights.

Early in the novel, for example, the love story is
foreshadowed in the names scratched onto the window
sill. The circle is marked out as Catherine Earnshaw who
marries and becomes Catherine Linton, who marries and
becomes Catherine Heathcliff, who marries to become
Catherine Earnshaw.
Names give us clues about the plot, but they also:
give us insight into the characters and the roles they
play in the novel
highlight the significance of place
have symbolic meaning
relate to themes
reveal the characteristics of places or characters.

Associations?
Heathcliff (heath / cliff)
Lockwood (lock / wood)
Any others?