Lockwood Heathcliff's tenant at Thrushcross Grange and the impetus for Nelly's narration. Although he serves primarily as the catalyst for the story, Lockwood's role is an outsider who happens to gain inside information. His visit to Wuthering Heights and subsequent actions directly affect the plot.
Mr. Earnshaw Catherine's father. He brings Heathcliff into his family and soon favors the orphan over his own son, Hindley.
Mrs. Earnshaw Catherine's mother. Not much is known about her, except that she favors her own son to Heathcliff, whom she does not like.
Hindley Earnshaw Catherine's brother. Jealous of Heathcliff, he takes a bit of revenge on Heathcliff after his father dies. He proves to be no match for Heathcliff, however, eventually losing his son and his family's home.
Frances Earnshaw Hindley's wife. A sickly woman who dies soon after Hareton is born.
Joseph Servant at Wuthering Heights. A hypocritical zealot who possesses a religious fanaticism that most find wearisome.
Mr. and Mrs. Linton Edgar's parents. They welcome Catherine into her home, introducing her to the life in upper society. They die soon after nursing Catherine back to health.
Isabella Edgar's sister. Her infatuation with Heathcliff causes her to destroy her relationship with her brother. She experiences Heathcliff's brutality first hand. She flees to London where she gives birth to Heathcliff's son, but her attempts to keep her son from his father fail.
Zillah Heathcliff's housekeeper. She saves Lockwood from a pack of dogs and serves as Nelly's source of information at Wuthering Heights.
