Catherine Earnshaw, from Wuthering Heights, starts her story at age six as the mischievous daughter of Mr. Earnshaw, master of Wuthering Heights. She is introduced to Heathcliff whom her father brought home one day as he was a "poor, fatherless child" (42). Mr. Earnshaw always put Heathcliff above Catherine as she was "too mischievous and wayward for a favourite" (42). Despite this, she was fond of Heathcliff to the point that her greatest punishments were when she was kept apart from him. After watching her father die, Cathy caused more of a ruckus and cared less about being punished until one day it got her and Heathcliff stuck at Thrushcross Grange. During those five weeks, she settled down a bit and "her manners much improved" as she became more of a Lady and less of a brat (55). Even as she started to follow social protocol, she still ignored them when Heathcliff is involved no matter how often her brother reminds them of their place. While she greatly loves Heathcliff, Catherine is - at her core - a social climber and will not allow her feelings to take charge. Hence when Linton asked for her hand in marriage, she said yes without thinking of Heathcliff until after. She brings pain to those whom love her as Linton knows she loves Heathcliff while Heathcliff has to see her marry another man. She started as an innocent, playful child and turned to an arrogant, selfish brat who doesn't care who gets hurt in the process so long as she obtains her favored status. She is also in denial of what she is as shown by her attempts to justify her actions to Nelly. Despite her flaws, she is determined and sticks with her decisions.
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