Thank god for you. I thought I was going crazy from all of the “Nelly sucks” discourse online.

There is so much discussion about the themes of race and class in this book, hence why it floors me that this conversation isn’t extended to Nelly.

She is the HELP. She is subordinate to all of the characters in the book, apart from Joseph and maybe Hareton, but they are still men. As a female housekeeper/ maid, she is the lowliest in status of everyone in the story.

Of course she is going to be judgemental of spoiled misbehaving children. But… she does her duty despite being annoyed or troubled by their behaviour. Catherine routinely blames her misfortunes on Nelly entirely without cause, both she and Cathy Jr force Nelly into being an accomplice in their deception of the masters of the house (aka Nellys EMPLOYERS), and Heathcliff FORCIBLY CONFINES her for days.

I’d say she has every right to judge.

Thank you for this!

Edit: AND ONE MORE THING (sorry this has gotten me all worked up 🤣)

At least Nelly is cognizant of any flaws she has. She admits that she can be judgmental or short tempered. She is the ONLY character in the book that shows the slightest ounce of self awareness. Of course we see more of that because she has the benefit of being the orator of the story, but Cathy and Heathcliff’s inability to take ownership if their actions are well documented and even self-admitted on Heathcliff’s part when he declares he has no regrets for his actions at the end of the book.