# Edgar Linton — Wuthering Heights character guide > Edgar Linton in Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Edgar, young Linton, Linton **First appearance:** 0005-vi ## Snapshot The gentle, bookish master of Thrushcross Grange whose quiet devotion to Catherine cannot match the storm she carries inside her. ## Who they are Edgar is refined, kind, and utterly conventional, the opposite of everything Heathcliff represents. He loves Catherine with steady tenderness, but he cannot comprehend the wildness in her, and his jealousy and pride push him into coldness at the worst moments. His fragility and his devotion make him both sympathetic and, in Heathcliff's eyes, contemptibly weak, and his marriage to Catherine sets the tragedy in motion. ## Relationships ### [Catherine Linton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/characters/catherine_linton) _family_ A gentle, loving marriage that is ultimately strained by Catherine's unresolved passion for Heathcliff. ### [Heathcliff](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/characters/heathcliff) _rivalry_ A bitter rivalry fueled by class conflict and Edgar's jealousy over Catherine's love for Heathcliff. ### [Nelly Dean](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/characters/nelly_dean) _professional_ A respectful, loyal employer-servant relationship where Nelly serves as a trusted household manager. ### [Linton Heathcliff](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/characters/linton_heathcliff) _family_ A protective but strained uncle-nephew relationship, as Edgar tries to shield his daughter from Linton's weakness. ### [Catherine Linton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/characters/catherine_linton) _family_ A gentle, loving marriage that is ultimately strained by Catherine's unresolved passion for Heathcliff. ### [Catherine Linton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/characters/catherine_linton) _family_ A gentle, loving marriage that is ultimately strained by Catherine's unresolved passion for Heathcliff. ### [Heathcliff](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/characters/heathcliff) _rivalry_ A bitter rivalry fueled by class conflict and Edgar's jealousy over Catherine's love for Heathcliff. ### [Heathcliff](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/characters/heathcliff) _rivalry_ A bitter rivalry fueled by class conflict and Edgar's jealousy over Catherine's love for Heathcliff. ### [Linton Heathcliff](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/characters/linton_heathcliff) _family_ A protective but strained uncle-nephew relationship, as Edgar tries to shield his daughter from Linton's weakness. ### [Nelly Dean](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/characters/nelly_dean) _professional_ A respectful, loyal employer-servant relationship where Nelly serves as a trusted household manager. ### [Linton Heathcliff](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/characters/linton_heathcliff) _family_ A protective but strained uncle-nephew relationship, as Edgar tries to shield his daughter from Linton's weakness. ## In the story ### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/vi) Seen weeping over a dog quarrel; later recognizes Catherine and shows timid admiration. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/vii) Makes an innocent remark about Heathcliff's long hair, provoking Heathcliff's violent reaction. ### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/viii) Visits Catherine, is shocked by her violent behavior, and is slapped by her when he tries to intervene. ### [Chapter IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/ix) Marries Catherine three years after his father's death, infatuated and believing himself the happiest man. ### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/x) Appalled by Isabella's attraction to Heathcliff, reconciles with Catherine after her apology. ### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/xi) Confronts Heathcliff, orders him to leave, and struggles with Catherine's loyalty. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/xii) Anxiously watches over Catherine, but is perceived by her as cold and indifferent, absorbed in his books. ### [Chapter XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/xiii) Edgar devotedly nurses Catherine through her illness, rejoices at her survival, and hopes for an heir to secure his lands. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/xiv) Edgar refuses to visit or write to Isabella, stating that their families are eternally divided. He shows coldness and a sense of duty toward Catherine. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/xv) Returns from church to find Heathcliff with Catherine; he is enraged but prioritizes Catherine's health. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/xvi) Deeply sorrowful after Catherine's death; becomes a sleepless guardian of her coffin. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/xviii) Edgar is a devoted father who educates Cathy himself and keeps her secluded. He travels to attend his dying sister Isabella, leaving Cathy in Nelly's care with strict orders not to leave the park. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/xix) Returns from a journey after Isabella's death, bringing his nephew Linton; he is patient with the boy but sorrowful at the prospect of losing him to Heathcliff. ### [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/xx) Edgar Linton commissions Nelly to take Linton to Wuthering Heights and instructs her to keep the boy's whereabouts from Catherine. ### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/xxi) Soothes Cathy after Linton's departure; spends the anniversary of Catherine's death alone in the library. ### [Chapter XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/xxii) Catches a bad cold that settles on his lungs, confining him indoors through the winter; his health continues to decline. ### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/xxiv) Alarmed by Nelly's report, forbids Catherine from visiting Wuthering Heights. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/xxv) Declining in health, he worries about Catherine's future and reluctantly agrees to limited meetings between Catherine and Linton. ### [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/xxvi) Reluctantly permits the visit; Catherine delivers Linton's thanks to him. ### [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/xxvii) Dying and unaware of Catherine's captivity. His health deteriorates rapidly, and he hopes Catherine will find happiness with Linton. ### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/xxviii) Dies blissfully after Catherine's return, murmuring of joining his wife. ### [XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/xxix) Recently deceased; his funeral has just taken place, and his portrait hangs in the library. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/characters/edgar_linton - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/characters