Chapter 05
Nelly continues: Mr
In the course of time Mr. Earnshaw began to fail. He had been active and healthy, yet his strength left him suddenly; and when he was confined to the chimney-corner he grew grievously irritable. A nothing vexed him; and suspected slights of his authority nearly threw him into fits. This was especially to be remarked if any one attempted to impose upon, or domineer over, his favourite: he was painfully jealous lest a word should be spoken amiss to him; seeming to have got into his head the notion that, because he liked Heathcliff, all hated, and longed to do…
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Now let's explore the literary elements.
Key Quotes & Analysis
"we humoured his partiality; and that humouring was rich nourishment to the child’s pride and black tempers."
Context: On the household enabling Earnshaw's favoritism toward Heathcliff
Avoiding conflict with a failing patriarch nourishes the favorite's pride and tempers
In Today's Words:
We went along with the old man's obvious favoritism because it was easier than fighting him. But giving in like that just fed the kid's ego and made his attitude worse. Everyone else suffered while the golden boy became more entitled and difficult to deal with.
"Hindley was nought, and would never thrive as where he wandered."
Context: Agreeing to send Hindley to college
The biological son is written off as the foundling's rival is protected
In Today's Words:
The father completely abandoned his own son, declaring Hindley worthless and destined for failure wherever he went. It's devastating when a parent sacrifices their biological child to shield an outsider. Like favoring a new hire over your own family member simply because they appear more promising at the moment.
"how the boy would do _her_ bidding in anything, and _his_ only when it suited his own inclination."
Context: On Catherine's power over Heathcliff versus her father's
Their bond already outranks paternal authority; mischief and loyalty are fused
In Today's Words:
Catherine could get the boy to do absolutely anything she wanted, but he'd only listen to her father when he felt like it. Their connection was already stronger than any authority figure. It's like when coworkers have that special bond where they'll cover for each other but ignore the boss unless it benefits them personally.
"Why canst thou not always be a good lass, Cathy?” And she turned her face up to his, and laughed, and answered, “Why cannot you always be a good man, father?"
Context: The evening before Earnshaw dies
Tenderness and defiance meet at the hearth; neither can sustain goodness the other asks for
In Today's Words:
The father asked why Catherine couldn't always behave, and she shot back asking why he couldn't always be good either. It was their last real conversation, both calling out each other's flaws with love and defiance. Sometimes the people closest to us see our failures most clearly, even when we're trying to lecture them.
Thematic Threads
Destructive Favoritism
In This Chapter
Mr. Earnshaw's obsessive protection of Heathcliff while dismissing his biological son creates deep resentment
Development
This favoritism will eventually destroy both the favorite and the rejected, creating a cycle of revenge
In Your Life:
Notice when you're being treated unfairly compared to others, or when you might be the one showing favoritism that hurts relationships
Social Class Anxiety
In This Chapter
Hindley is sent away to become 'educated' while Heathcliff remains as the working-class favorite
Development
Education and class mobility become weapons in the family's internal war
In Your Life:
Education and social advancement can divide families when some members move up while others stay behind
Illness and Control
In This Chapter
Mr. Earnshaw's declining health makes him more controlling and paranoid about protecting his favorite
Development
Physical weakness often leads to emotional tyranny as people try to maintain power
In Your Life:
Aging parents or sick family members sometimes become more controlling as they feel their power slipping away
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
This is not a test. Five prompts guide you through the chapter, from how it opens to how it closes, so you notice context and rhythm rather than facts to memorize. Sit with each question in your own words. When you see "One way to read it," treat it as a starting point, not the only answer.
- 1
Nelly says the servants humoured Mr. Earnshaw's partiality toward Heathcliff so as not to fret the failing master, and that humouring was rich nourishment to the child's pride and black tempers. What harm does avoiding conflict cause here?
analysis • surfaceOne way to read it
Silence teaches Heathcliff that being the protected one is power, and teaches Hindley that his father has already chosen against him. The household swallows truth to keep a sick man calm.
- 2
The curate advises sending Hindley to college, and Earnshaw agrees while calling him nought who will never thrive. What message does the biological son receive as the foundling stays favored?
analysis • mediumOne way to read it
Hindley is written off and removed while Heathcliff remains the heir of affection. Resentment will return at the funeral with full authority behind it.
- 3
Nelly notes that Heathcliff would do Cathy's bidding in anything, but obeyed her father only when it suited his inclination. What does that early bond tell us about their alliance?
application • mediumOne way to read it
Their loyalty already outranks paternal authority. Mischief and devotion are fused: Cathy commands, Heathcliff follows, and the father's rules matter less than their pair.
- 4
On the evening Earnshaw dies, he asks why Cathy cannot always be a good lass, and she answers why he cannot always be a good man, then sings him asleep. What mix of tenderness and defiance does that exchange hold?
application • deepOne way to read it
Love and rebellion meet at the hearth. Neither can sustain the goodness the other asks for, yet the moment is intimate enough that his death arrives with both children at his knees.
- 5
After Earnshaw dies, Cathy and Heathcliff comfort each other with a heaven brighter than any sermon while Joseph calls the master a saint. What does the children's vision reveal about the adults' failure?
reflection • deepOne way to read it
The pair invent mercy for each other because the house offered favoritism, cruelty, and piety instead of steady care. Their bond deepens in the vacuum the adults created.
Critical Thinking Exercise
Mapping Your Own Favoritism Patterns
Think about your family, workplace, or friend group. Identify one situation where favoritism exists - either where you're the favorite, the overlooked one, or an observer. Map out: Who benefits? Who suffers? Who enables it? What would happen if the dynamic changed?
Consider:
- •How does the favoritism get justified by those who practice it?
- •What role do bystanders play in maintaining the unfair system?
- •How might the 'favorite' actually be harmed by the special treatment?
- •What would it take to create more fairness in this situation?
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you were either the favorite or the forgotten one. How did it shape your relationships with others involved? What would you do differently now, knowing what you know about toxic family patterns?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 6
Mr. Earnshaw dies, and Hindley returns home with a mysterious wife in tow. His first act as master? Making Heathcliff's life a living hell. The revenge cycle that will consume two generations is about to begin.
