Hareton Earnshaw

*Wuthering Heights* (2011)

Michael Hughes (2011)

Little Wretch

Nelly Dean (caregiver)

### Personalities

Illiterate, irritable, handsome, brooding, rough, plain, rude (formerly), shy, loyal, poor, neglected, diligent, sensitive, sympathetic, compassionate, emotional, kind, romantic, grateful

### Appearance

Dirty-looking, wears plain clothes, thick brown curled hair

### Allies

Cathy Linton
Heathcliff
Nelly Dean (formerly)

Joseph

### Likes

His cousin Cathy, learning to read and write from her

### Goal

To redeem himself and be attracted to Cathy

To learn how to read (both succeeded)

### Fate

Mourns Heathcliff's death, but he and Cathy plan to marry and move to Thrushcross Grange together

> "*By the fire stood a ruffianly child, strong in limb and dirty in garb, with a look of Catherine in his eyes and about his mouth.*"
> ― Chapter 13
>
>

Hareton Earnshaw is a major character in Emily Brontë's *Wuthering Heights*. He is the son of Hindley Earnshaw and Frances Earnshaw, the nephew of Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff (also his father-figure), and the cousin of Cathy Linton and Linton Heathcliff.

Born into nobility at Wuthering Heights, Hareton was meant to be a proper gentleman, but ended up being an uneducated servant of Heathcliff but redeems himself with his relationship with Cathy Linton.

## Description

Hareton Earnshaw was born into a family filled with hatred and abuse. His mother died soon after he is born, and his father becomes a drunkard and hardly interacts with him. He was raised by the family's servant Nelly Dean, the only person who could keep him safe from Hindley's violent acts of rage, mainly his abuse towards Heathcliff. When Hareton grows up, he becomes involved in Heathcliff's vengeful acts. As he enters adulthood, Hareton is a constant reminder to Heathcliff of the hatred his own father had done to him.

Having lived most of his life impoverished and uneducated, Hareton would find himself isolated from the outside world and later on, he wanted to be more civilized by trying to read, and would be usually mocked for wanting to fit in. After he plans to wed his cousin and move to Thrushcross Grange, he is about to leave behind his troubled past and be more active in a noble society.

Like his cousins Linton Heathcliff and Cathy Linton, Hareton had grown up without a mother. Although Nelly was devoted towards him since birth, he grew up without his mother's proper care and that the one person he views as his real parent is his master Heathcliff.

## Personality/Appearance

Hareton is a young man who is charming and good-looking, as well as being devoted to those who had strictly raised him in their care. As a young child, he was taught by Heathcliff to turn against everyone he hated, such as his own father. His initial naïve nature was ruined by him being cruel to others, including his own father. In addition to being used as a tool of revenge against his family line, Hareton is also mistreated by Heathcliff, as he was shaped into a similar person like his master. He was originally rude to anyone who he could easily see as opposers, such as the tenant Mr. Lockwood, who did not make him welcome and even looked on happily while the guest was nearly attacked by dogs.

Since his birth, Hareton was meant to inherit Wuthering Heights and be part of nobility. But after his education was cut off, he becomes isolated inside his home as he lacks the knowledge of how to read or even be a proper man. He couldn’t read his name above the front door but later in the novel, he attempts to be more civilized by trying to read and be part of society just like how he was meant to. Even if Heathcliff is abusive to him, Hareton stayed loyal and obedient to him. He followed his orders and even works hard as an impoverished servant. He can also be ill-tempered and aggressive, mostly when he is provoked for his illiteracy. One time, when Cathy mocks him for unable to read numbers, he gets angry and takes his rage out on his weak, helpless cousin Linton.

Despite his rough, aggressive nature, he has a kind, compassionate attitude. Having been unloved throughout most of his life, he is willing to make his mark in his life by seeking redemption. Even if he loses his temper, he regrets the way he behaved and is wanting to be forgiven, including the time he tried to apologize to Cathy after he bullied Linton. At other times, he can be emotional when he experiences a tragedy, since he was the only one who wept over Heathcliff’s body after his master’s unexpected death. But the more he becomes closer to Cathy, the more loving and friendly he gets. As the couple fall in love, so did his chances of him learning how to read and be the gentleman he was meant to be, as well as standing up to his cruel master. After he will marry Cathy and live with her at Thrushcross Grange, he is grateful to have someone who is more understanding and help him leave his miserable past behind him.

Hareton is usually described as a gruff-looking young man with a scruffy beard, filthy hands and wearing shabby, dirty clothes that symbolize his illiterate poverty.

## Relationships

Heathcliff- Hareton’s master and father-figure. He was raised by him following his father’s death and taught to be rude and vulgar to anyone Heathcliff opposed, including the Linton’s of Thrushcross Grange. He is madd into an uneducated servant and mistreated by Heathcliff, yet he still managed to be on his side. Deep down, Hareton has an uncanny resemblance to his aunt Catherine, and later on, Heathcliff cannot bear to look at him since he is a reminder that he could never have his true love.

Cathy Linton- Hareton’s cousin. He is about 6-7 years older than her and he first meets her on the moors. They originally had arguments and fights, usually if he is teased for being illiterate or his position as a poor stableboy. After he gets injured, she looks after him and they eventually make up. He learns how to read from her and their bond becomes more affectionate. With their romance and future marriage, they will bring peace back to both of their family homes.