In this chapter, Mr. Lockwood, the new tenant at Thrushcross Grange, remains intrigued by the peculiar household at Wuthering Heights, particularly by its owner, Heathcliff. After his uncomfortable visit in the previous chapter, Lockwood seeks to understand more about the dark and isolated environment he has encountered. He decides to inquire about the estate's history and its inhabitants through a conversation with Joseph, the housekeeper.

Lockwood learns that Wuthering Heights has a tumultuous past marked by strife and complex relationships. Joseph provides insight into the Earnshaw family's history, particularly the dynamics between Heathcliff and Hindley Earnshaw, the master of Wuthering Heights. Joseph's gruff and often resentful demeanor reflects the harshness of life on the moors, and his narratives are laced with disdain for Heathcliff and an underlying loyalty to the Earnshaw lineage.

Through Joseph’s account, Lockwood gathers that Heathcliff was adopted as an orphan by Mr. Earnshaw, the original master of Wuthering Heights. The adoption caused friction in the household, particularly with Hindley, who felt overshadowed by Heathcliff's presence. After Mr. Earnshaw's death, Hindley inherits the estate and demonstrates an abusive and oppressive nature towards Heathcliff, relegating him to the status of a servant despite their childhood bond.

The chapter highlights the stark class distinctions and the deep-seated animosity that exists within the Earnshaw family. Lockwood becomes aware of the intense emotions and rivalries that permeate the lives of Wuthering Heights' inhabitants. Joseph, as a witness to these events, reveals snippets of the complex relationships that define the household, including the passionate yet tumultuous love between Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw, which remains a focal point of the narrative.

Joseph's storytelling also hints at the isolation and wildness of the Yorkshire moors, which serve as a backdrop to the unfolding drama. Lockwood, intrigued yet unsettled by the dark tales of revenge and suffering, begins to understand that Wuthering Heights is more than just a house; it is a symbol of the turbulent emotions that govern the lives of its residents.

As the chapter concludes, Lockwood reflects on the eerie atmosphere of Wuthering Heights and the profound impact of its history on its current inhabitants. He is left with a sense of foreboding, as the complex and often tragic relationships among the characters are beginning to reveal themselves, foreshadowing the tumultuous events that will follow in the story.