# Hindley Earnshaw — Wuthering Heights character guide

> Hindley Earnshaw in Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mr. Hindley Earnshaw, Mr. Earnshaw, old Earnshaw, young Earnshaw, Earnshaw, Mr. Hindley, old Mr. Earnshaw

**First appearance:** 0003-iv

## Snapshot

The Earnshaw heir whose jealousy of Heathcliff curdles into cruelty, drink, and a ruinous grip on Wuthering Heights.

## Who they are

Hindley inherits the Heights when his father dies, and he uses that power to demote Heathcliff to a servant and humiliate him at every turn. Grief for his wife Frances and his dependence on drink turn him from a favored son into a tyrant whose own son, Hareton, is left to fend for himself. His cruelty is the engine that drives Heathcliff's long revenge, making Hindley the first link in the chain of grievance the novel refuses to break.

## Relationships

### [Heathcliff](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/characters/heathcliff)

_rivalry_

A bitter, lifelong rivalry rooted in childhood abuse and Hindley's degradation of Heathcliff, later reversed.

### [Catherine Linton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/characters/catherine_linton)

_family_

A sibling relationship poisoned by Hindley's resentment and Catherine's defiance after their father's death.

### [Heathcliff](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/characters/heathcliff)

_rivalry_

A bitter, lifelong rivalry rooted in childhood abuse and Hindley's degradation of Heathcliff, later reversed.

### [Catherine Linton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/characters/catherine_linton)

_family_

A sibling relationship poisoned by Hindley's resentment and Catherine's defiance after their father's death.

### [Catherine Linton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/characters/catherine_linton)

_family_

A sibling relationship poisoned by Hindley's resentment and Catherine's defiance after their father's death.

### [Heathcliff](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/characters/heathcliff)

_rivalry_

A bitter, lifelong rivalry rooted in childhood abuse and Hindley's degradation of Heathcliff, later reversed.

## In the story

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/iii)

Described in Catherine's diary as a detestable tyrant who mistreats Heathcliff and Catherine.

### [Chapter IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/iv)

Resents Heathcliff as a usurper of his father's affections; physically abuses him and grows bitter.

### [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.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/v)

Shows scorn toward Heathcliff, provoking his father; is sent to college.

### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/vi)

Mentioned as furious after the incident, threatening to dismiss Heathcliff if he speaks to Catherine.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/vii)

Treats Heathcliff cruelly, shoving him and locking him in the garret; hosts the Christmas party.

### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/viii)

Grows increasingly tyrannical and dissolute after his wife's death, driving away servants and mistreating Heathcliff.

### [Chapter IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/ix)

Threatens to turn Heathcliff out, indulges Catherine's whims out of pride, and orders Nelly to leave after Catherine's marriage.

### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/x)

Allows Heathcliff to lodge at Wuthering Heights after losing money to him at cards.

### [Chapter XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/xiii)

Hindley shows Lockwood a pistol-knife, confessing his nightly urge to kill Heathcliff, and raves about reclaiming his lost property and revenge.

### [Chapter XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/xvii)

Attempts to shoot Heathcliff but is overpowered and brutally beaten. He is left injured and unconscious, later revived by Joseph.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/characters/hindley_earnshaw
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/characters