Linton family

The Linton family is a group of fictional characters in English author Emily Brontë’s novel Wuthering Heights (1847). They are the neighbors of the Earnshaw family, who live in the remote Yorkshire estate that gives the book its title. The Lintons’ estate is called Thrushcross Grange.

The family consists of Mr. and Mrs. Linton and their children, Edgar and Isabella. Like the Earnshaws, they are wealthy landowners. The two families become intertwined after Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff (a foundling of unknown origin who was informally adopted by Mr. Earnshaw) come across Thrushcross Grange during one of their many adventures wandering the moors. Despite her love for the brooding Heathcliff (who shares with her a stormy nature), Catherine marries the kind and reliable Edgar. Her betrayal, in Heathcliff’s eyes, causes him to flee Wuthering Heights.

He returns after three years, having made his fortune and intent on revenge. Among his plans is to exploit Isabella Linton’s infatuation with him and elope with her. Meanwhile, Edgar and Catherine have a daughter, Cathy, but Catherine dies shortly after giving birth. Both Edgar and Heathcliff are despondent after her death.

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Heathcliff mistreats Isabella, and she eventually leaves him. She also gives birth to his son, Linton Heathcliff. Continuing his plot of revenge, Heathcliff takes possession of Wuthering Heights by encouraging Catherine’s brother, Hindley, in his reckless gambling, putting him into Heathcliff’s debt. After Hindley dies, Heathcliff turns Hindley’s son, Hareton, into a servant.

When Linton Heathcliff is about 12 years old, Isabella dies and the child comes to live with his uncle Edgar and his cousin Cathy. However, Heathcliff insists upon raising Linton, though he despises the boy for his spoiled nature and his sickliness. Over time, he orchestrates a romance between Cathy and Linton and nurtures Hareton’s resentment against his two cousins. Meanwhile, Edgar becomes seriously ill. As Linton and Edgar grow weaker, Heathcliff tricks Cathy into leaving her father’s deathbed and Thrushcross Grange to marry Linton at Wuthering Heights. Afterward, she manages to escape and see her father one last time before he dies. However, Heathcliff forces her to return to Wuthering Heights so that he can take possession of Thrushcross Grange, with the intention of renting it.

After Linton dies, Cathy remains captive at Wuthering Heights. In the meantime, Heathcliff is increasingly haunted by the ghost of Catherine. When he dies, Cathy and Hareton fall in love and become engaged, and peace is finally restored between the two families.