In the novel Wuthering Heights, Catherine and Edgar did not have a son. Their only child was a daughter named Cathy. The girl is gentler and kinder than her mother. Although she can sometimes be arrogant, she is compassionate and generous, as well. Her mother – Catherine, never displayed such characteristics.
Detailed answer:
Cathy is the only daughter of Catherine Earnshaw and Edgar Linton. Her mother died while giving birth. Because of that, the girl was raised by her father and the nurse – Ellen Dean or Nelly. Cathy inherited her mother’s beauty and willful character. She had Catherine’s dark eyes, Edgar’s golden hair, small features, and fair skin. Although she resembled her mother in character very much, she was not as demanding and headstrong.
Cathy is not aware that her mother had a relationship with Heathcliff. Edgar tries to protect his daughter. He does not let her go to Wuthering Heights, where Heathcliff resides.
Cathy has a happy childhood. She receives a lot of love from her father and Nelly and knows nothing about Wuthering Heights. However, as she grows up, she wants to explore the world. Cathy wants to see the life beyond her home at Thrushcross Grange.
When Edgar’s sister dies, he takes his nephew, Linton Heathcliff, the son of Heathcliff, to his house. Cathy is happy to meet her nephew. However, the next day Heathcliff takes him back home. Linton is a sickly boy, and Heathcliff uses it to take the boy away from Thrushcross Grange. When Cathy comes to visit Linton, she pities him.
Later on, Heathcliff comes up with a plan to arrange for Cathy and Linton’s marriage. He encourages their meetings, but Nelly prohibits Cathy from visiting Wuthering Heights. Nevertheless, Cathy continues seeing Linton. It continues until Heathcliff imprisons Cathy and Nelly. He keeps them at Wuthering Heights in an attempt to persuade Cathy to marry Linton. It is around that time that Cathy’s father becomes very ill. Heathcliff lets the girl visit her father only to see him right before he dies. Shortly after Edgar, Linton, whose condition worsens, also dies. For that reason, Heathcliff becomes the owner of both Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange.
After these events, Cathy feels distressed. Soon, however, she falls in love with Hareton – her illiterate cousin. She used to tease the boy when they were kids. After Heathcliff’s death, Cathy and Hareton marry and decide to live at the Grange. Their marriage puts an end to the cycle of revenge that existed in their families.
Cathy is stubborn like her mother. She does not follow Nelly’s advice and keeps seeing Linton. Sometimes, Cathy acts selfishly and cold. For instance, she teases Hareton for his illiteracy and poverty. When she is angry, she loses her temper. During her argument with Linton, she throws him to the floor.
However, Cathy also has positive traits, and this distinguishes her from her mother. Most of the time, she tries to follow her father’s and Nelly’s advice. Cathy knows how to sympathize with people. It becomes evident when she understands Linton and decides to take care of him. The girl also takes care of Hareton after he gets injured. When she learns more about Hareton, she stops teasing him. Cathy starts to understand his problem with illiteracy and promises to teach him how to read.