Nelly Dean Character Analysis

Introduction and Role in the Text

Nelly Dean, or Ellen Dean, serves as the primary narrator of Wuthering Heights. She relays the complex history of the Lintons and Heathcliff to Mr. Lockwood. Her perspective shapes the reader’s understanding of events and characters. She is a crucial narrative device, providing insight into the novel’s general vision and viewpoint.

Her role transcends mere storytelling. Nelly is an active participant in many key events. She often influences the lives of the characters around her.

Character Traits with Supporting Evidence

Observant and Detailed

• Nelly possesses a keen eye for human nature. She meticulously recalls conversations and emotional states. This is evident in her extensive recounting of Catherine and Heathcliff’s youth.
• Her detailed memory allows for a comprehensive narrative. She recalls specific dates and minor incidents.

Pragmatic and Conventional

• She often judges characters based on societal norms. Her advice to Catherine, urging marriage to Edgar, exemplifies this. Nelly values stability over passionate, destructive love.
• Her practical nature contrasts sharply with the wilder impulses of characters like Heathcliff and Catherine.

Interfering and Judgmental

• Nelly frequently intervenes in others’ affairs. She attempts to guide young Catherine Linton’s choices. She often expresses strong opinions about others’ moral failings.
• Her judgments, while sometimes accurate, can also be biased. She clearly disapproves of Heathcliff’s actions.

Want the full analysis? Try H1 Club free for complete notes, sample answers, and examiner insights.

Character Development Arc

Nelly begins as a relatively detached servant, observing the Earnshaw family. Her early interactions are primarily in her capacity as a domestic. Over time, she becomes deeply enmeshed in the family’s drama.

She evolves into a maternal figure for both young Catherine and Hareton. Her initial pragmatism sometimes softens into genuine affection and concern. By the novel’s end, she is a steadfast, albeit weary, guardian of the surviving generation.

Key Relationships and How They Shape the Character

Catherine Earnshaw

Nelly’s relationship with Catherine is complex. She acts as a confidante but also as a moral compass. Catherine’s choices often frustrate Nelly, highlighting Nelly’s more conventional worldview. This relationship deepens Nelly’s understanding of destructive passion.

Heathcliff

Her relationship with Heathcliff is largely adversarial. She views him with suspicion and fear, especially after his return. Their interactions reveal Nelly’s courage and her strong sense of justice. She attempts to protect others from his cruelty.

Mr. Lockwood

Lockwood is Nelly’s audience. Their dynamic establishes the narrative frame. Nelly’s storytelling skills are showcased through this relationship. Lockwood’s reactions occasionally challenge Nelly to reflect on her own biases.

Significance to Major Themes

Narration and Perspective

Nelly’s role as narrator is central to the theme of perspective. Her subjective account forces readers to question the reliability of storytelling. She offers a filtered view of events. This means the reader must critically evaluate the narrative.

Society vs. Nature

Nelly often embodies societal expectations and conventional morality. She contrasts with the untamed, passionate forces of Wuthering Heights. She represents the domestic sphere, distinct from the wild moors.

Exam Tips: How to Use This Character in Answers

• Discuss Nelly’s function as an unreliable narrator. Explain how her biases influence the reader’s perception.
• Analyse her as a foil to other characters. Compare her practicality with Catherine’s romanticism or Heathcliff’s vengefulness.
• Examine her development from a servant to a quasi-maternal figure. Consider how she gains wisdom through observation.
• Use her to explore themes of social class and domesticity.

Motivations, Conflicts, and Changes Throughout the Text

Nelly is primarily motivated by a sense of duty and a desire for order. She strives to maintain peace and protect the innocent. Her main conflict arises from her attempts to reconcile the wildness of Wuthering Heights with societal norms. She often finds herself caught between conflicting loyalties.

Initially, she is a passive observer. However, she gradually becomes more involved. By the novel’s end, she actively shapes the lives of the younger generation. Her journey reflects a shift from mere servitude to a deeply invested guardian role.

Related Pages

• Wuthering Heights Study Guide
• Wuthering Heights Summary
• Themes in Wuthering Heights
• Key Moments in Wuthering Heights
• Key Quotes in Wuthering Heights
• Heathcliff Character Analysis