# Hareton Earnshaw — Wuthering Heights character guide > Hareton Earnshaw in Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Hareton, Earnshaw, Mr. Earnshaw, Poor Hareton, little Hareton, Little Hareton, Mr. Hareton **First appearance:** 0003-iv ## Snapshot The rightful heir of Wuthering Heights, raised in ignorance and rough labor, whose stubborn pride hides a hunger he cannot name. ## Who they are Hareton is Hindley's son, but Heathcliff has taken the estate and reduced the boy to a field hand who cannot read his own name carved over the door. Sullen, strong, and fiercely loyal to the man who degraded him, he bristles at Cathy's mockery while secretly craving the books and gentleness she represents. His slow, awkward awakening to affection is one of the novel's quiet counterweights to Heathcliff's long revenge. ## Relationships ### [Catherine Linton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/characters/catherine_linton) _family_ A familial bond that evolves from initial disdain into a loving, healing relationship after Catherine's widowhood. ### [Heathcliff](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/characters/heathcliff) _rivalry_ A brutal master-servant dynamic where Heathcliff degrades and controls Hareton out of revenge against Hindley. ### [Joseph](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/characters/joseph) _family_ A caretaker relationship where Joseph raises Hareton after Hindley's death, instilling rough manners and superstition. ### [Nelly Dean](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/characters/nelly_dean) _friendship_ A kind, pitying relationship where Nelly observes Hareton's degradation and later helps him improve. ### [Catherine Linton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/characters/catherine_linton) _family_ A familial bond that evolves from initial disdain into a loving, healing relationship after Catherine's widowhood. ### [Heathcliff](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/characters/heathcliff) _rivalry_ A brutal master-servant dynamic where Heathcliff degrades and controls Hareton out of revenge against Hindley. ### [Catherine Linton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/characters/catherine_linton) _family_ A familial bond that evolves from initial disdain into a loving, healing relationship after Catherine's widowhood. ### [Joseph](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/characters/joseph) _family_ A caretaker relationship where Joseph raises Hareton after Hindley's death, instilling rough manners and superstition. ### [Heathcliff](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/characters/heathcliff) _rivalry_ A brutal master-servant dynamic where Heathcliff degrades and controls Hareton out of revenge against Hindley. ### [Nelly Dean](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/characters/nelly_dean) _friendship_ A kind, pitying relationship where Nelly observes Hareton's degradation and later helps him improve. ### [Joseph](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/characters/joseph) _family_ A caretaker relationship where Joseph raises Hareton after Hindley's death, instilling rough manners and superstition. ## In the story ### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/ii) Young man who lets Lockwood in, gruff and defensive, threatens Lockwood, participates in the dog attack. ### [Chapter IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/iv) The old master who brings Heathcliff home; shows strange favoritism toward him, causing family discord. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/v) Failing in health, irritable, and fiercely protective of Heathcliff; dies quietly in his chair. ### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/viii) A young child who follows Nelly; is shaken and made to cry by Catherine's fury. ### [Chapter IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/ix) Nearly five years old when Nelly leaves; she had begun teaching him his letters, and he becomes a stranger to her afterward. ### [Chapter XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/xiii) Hareton is introduced as a ruffianly child at Wuthering Heights, who threatens Isabella with a dog when she tries to befriend him. ### [Chapter XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/xvii) Briefly appears as Isabella knocks him over while fleeing through the kitchen; he is hanging puppies from a chair-back. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/xviii) Hareton is described as having been neglected and brutalized by Heathcliff, with Joseph encouraging his pride of lineage. He meets Cathy and guides her to Penistone Crags, but offends her by addressing her as a servant. ### [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/xx) Hareton is present and ordered to obey Linton, though he is treated with contempt by Heathcliff. ### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/xxi) Shown as rough and illiterate, unable to read the inscription; mocked by Cathy and Linton. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/xxiii) Mentioned by Linton as laughing at him and being odious; not present in the scene. ### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/xxiv) Briefly present in the room but leaves when Catherine enters. ### [Chapter XXX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/xxx) Awkwardly attempts to be agreeable to Catherine but is rebuffed; he shows some concern but remains under Heathcliff's dominance. ### [Chapter XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/xxxi) Handsome but rough; he secretly studies to win Catherine's approval but is humiliated by her mockery and burns his books in anger. ### [Chapter XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/xxxii) Learns to read under Catherine's tutelage, overcomes his sullenness, and develops a tender affection for her. ### [Chapter XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/xxxiii) Defends Heathcliff against Catherine's criticisms; shows loyalty and begins to learn from Catherine, his brightening mind improving his appearance. ### [XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/xxxiv) Hareton is present in the household, working in the garden and interacting with Cathy. He attempts to speak with Heathcliff but is dismissed. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/characters/hareton_earnshaw - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/characters