Catherine Earnshaw is a fictional character and the female protagonist of the 1847 novel Wuthering Heights written by Emily Brontë. Catherine is one of two children to Mr. and Mrs. Earnshaw, the original tenants of the Wuthering Heights estate. The star-crossed love between her and Heathcliff is one of the primary focuses of the novel. Catherine is often referred to as "Cathy," particularly by Heathcliff. Biography Cathy Earnshaw is the younger sister of Hindley Earnshaw. Cathy and Hindley are born and raised at Wuthering Heights. The siblings are later joined by the foundling Heathcliff, who is adopted by Mr. Earnshaw during a trip to Liverpool. Heathcliff and Hindley develop a rivalry, while Catherine and Heathcliff develop a close bond, as they are both wild and unruly. Following the death of Mr. Earnshaw, Hindley demotes Heathcliff to the role of a servant and attempts, with the help of his wife, to limit the interactions between Catherine and Heathcliff. Catherine and Heathcliff still manage to spend time together, and while the two of them spy on the Thrushcross Grange estate, the residence of the Linton family, Catherine is attacked by one of the Linton's dogs. The Lintons then take in Catherine and nurse her injuries, while Heathcliff is driven out of the estate and back to Wuthering Heights. Upon returning from her time with the Lintons, Catherine has developed more refined manners and become friends with Edgar and Isabella Linton. Catherine becomes spoiled and vicious, often taking it out on her servant and foster-sister Nelly. Eventually, Edgar Linton begins to court Catherine, while Heathcliff observes jealously. Catherine's most famous speech in the novel comes when she declares her feelings for Heathcliff and Edgar to Nelly Dean, the housekeeper of Wuthering Heights and the novel's main narrator: Unbeknownst to Catherine, Heathcliff was eavesdropping on her conversation with Nelly, but only heard the beginning of her speech. Under the impression that Catherine would never marry him, Heathcliff goes on a three-year hiatus from Wuthering Heights which is not elaborated on in the book. During Heathcliff's absence, Catherine marries Edgar Linton and moves into Thrushcross Grange, where she lives peacefully, her every desire indulged. Upon his return, Heathcliff pays a visit to Thrushcross Grange, which causes Catherine great excitement, and Edgar deepest dread: Mr. Linton walked to a window on the other side of the room that overlooked the court. He unfastened it, and leant