The novel Wuthering Heights presents an array of characters that support the main characters of Catherine and Heathcliff, who provide many layers of complications to the themes of love and revenge. Nelly in particular not only serves as a supporting character, but as a tool that the author uses to tweak the story in one way or another. Nelly is used as a narrator, a confidante to Cathy, and as a devil's advocate for Edgar and Heathcliff.

As a narrator Nelly acts as a window into which the reader may be introduced to the personalities and the personality flaws of Heathcliff, Catherine, and Catherine's companions. This allows the readers to judge how the characters change from one event in the story to another. Unfortunately Nelly's often biased recalling of some of the characters' behaviors serves to move the reader to think a certain way. Her way of depicting...