# Joseph — Wuthering Heights character guide

> Joseph in Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Vinegar-faced Joseph, old Joseph

**First appearance:** 0000-i

## Snapshot

Wuthering Heights' ancient, scripture-quoting servant, whose vinegar tongue and grim piety make him the house's living conscience and chief tormentor.

## Who they are

Joseph has served the Earnshaws and then Heathcliff for decades, muttering judgments in thick Yorkshire dialect and finding sin in every pleasure. He scolds Catherine for late rambles, resents her followers, and treats any warmth in the house as scandal. His relentless moralizing and petty cruelties give Wuthering Heights much of its oppressive texture, and his voice is a constant reminder of the grim creed that shapes its inhabitants.

## Relationships

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

_social_

A shared, grim religious fanaticism and mutual disdain for others creates an uneasy alliance at Wuthering Heights.

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

_social_

A hostile relationship defined by Joseph's judgmental religious piety and Catherine's rebellious nature.

### [Hareton Earnshaw](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/characters/hareton_earnshaw)

_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)

_social_

A shared, grim religious fanaticism and mutual disdain for others creates an uneasy alliance at Wuthering Heights.

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

_social_

A shared, grim religious fanaticism and mutual disdain for others creates an uneasy alliance at Wuthering Heights.

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

_social_

A hostile relationship defined by Joseph's judgmental religious piety and Catherine's rebellious nature.

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

_social_

A hostile relationship defined by Joseph's judgmental religious piety and Catherine's rebellious nature.

### [Hareton Earnshaw](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/characters/hareton_earnshaw)

_family_

A caretaker relationship where Joseph raises Hareton after Hindley's death, instilling rough manners and superstition.

### [Hareton Earnshaw](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/characters/hareton_earnshaw)

_family_

A caretaker relationship where Joseph raises Hareton after Hindley's death, instilling rough manners and superstition.

## In the story

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/i)

An elderly, sour servant at Wuthering Heights who grudgingly takes Lockwood's horse and mutters peevishly.

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

Vinegar-faced servant, scolds Catherine, milks cows, raises alarm about the stolen lantern.

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

Caricatured in Catherine's diary as a stern religious figure who forces long sermons.

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

Self-righteous servant who gains influence over Mr. Earnshaw by sermonizing and complaining about Catherine and Heathcliff.

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

Ordered by Hindley to keep Heathcliff out of the room; refers to the Christmas music as 'devil's psalmody'.

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

One of the few servants who stays at Wuthering Heights, hector over tenants and laborers.

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

Witnesses the aftermath of the fight, prays over the blood, and is pushed by Heathcliff. He later revives Hindley with spirits.

### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/xviii)

Joseph contributes to Hareton's deterioration by flattering him and blaming Heathcliff for his faults. He instills pride of name and lineage in Hareton.

### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/xix)

Arrives at Thrushcross Grange on Heathcliff's orders to demand Linton's return, speaking with sanctimonious authority.

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

Joseph serves Linton breakfast and shares in Heathcliff's disdain for the boy.

### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/xxiii)

Found sitting by the fire at Wuthering Heights, ignoring Linton's calls for attention.

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

Disapproves of the growing intimacy between Catherine and Hareton, grumbling about the loss of proper order and the influence of 'witchcraft.'

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

Complains bitterly about Catherine's influence on Hareton, accusing her of bewitching him and causing him to uproot currant bushes.

### [XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/xxxiv)

Joseph is mentioned as having complained about the garden's location, and he converses with Heathcliff about farming business.

## Links

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