Cathy first waltzes onto the page as a little girl. We meet her when she’s about six or seven years old, running wild on the moors with her brother Hindley and the mysterious foundling, Heathcliff. Think back to when you were that age—scraped knees, secret forts, and best friends who promised to be your pal forever.
That’s exactly what Cathy has. Her bond with Heathcliff isn’t romantic yet; it’s the raw, unbreakable friendship of two kids who don’t care about social rules. If you’ve ever had a childhood bestie you shared everything with, you know the magic. Spoiler: it doesn’t last.
By the time Cathy enters the main action of the story, she’s about twelve to thirteen years old. Imagine being that age, full of big feelings and zero impulse control. Suddenly, she visits the fancy Linton family at Thrushcross Grange, and everything changes.
