The tone in Wuthering Heights subtly changes as the narration changes from one to the other. The major narrator is Lockwood, Heathcliff's new tenant and he is excited to be living in Thrushcross Grange. His narration begins in an enthusiastic manner but a bit ironic though. Lockwood describes the condition of Wuthering Heights as, "A perfect misanthrope's Heaven - and Mr. Heathcliff and I are such a suitable pair to divide the desolation between us" (Chapter 1, p. 1). The author makes Lockwood realize the isolation of Wuthering Heights, and the use of the term "misanthrope" is ironic since Lockwood can only physically see the place is huge but far from the city and away from people and civilization. Nonetheless, he does not yet know how misanthropic Heathcliff is. To add to the irony, Lockwood compares himself to Heathcliff but both are totally different. Heathcliff is dark in his mood but Lockwood is bright and light. .
The readers can detect the shift in tone as Lockwood realizes the true nature of Heathcliff and as he sleeps in Cathy's room, he encounters her ghost. So he moves from lighter tone to the ironic tone and this ironic tone shifts to being nervous and desolate providing the reader an understanding of how it feels to be one of Heathcliff's "prisoners." However, when Nelly narrates, the tone shifts between desperate, compassionate, and a strong sense of foreboding because Nelly has witnessed the true love between Cathy and Heathcliff, and also the final outcome. The tone is one of admiration and mirth when she describes Catherine's changed appearance, returning from Thrushcross Grange. She comments, "instead of a wild, hatless little savage jumping into the house. there 'lighted from a handsome black pony a very dignified person" (Chapter 7, p.37). This mild appreciative tone becomes blunt and cruel when she narrates how Catherine greets Heathcliff after being away for some days.
