Why Is It Called Hanging Day
The term arises from Heathcliff’s death, which occurs after he is found at his window, and from the novel’s Gothic atmosphere linking his demise to themes of torment and fate. Local characters interpret his death as a kind of spiritual hanging, a consequence of his relentless cruelty and obsession with Catherine.
When Does Hanging Day Occur in the Story
Hanging Day takes place in the later chapters of the novel, after Heathcliff has grown increasingly reclusive and haunted. He dies shortly after requesting to be buried without a coffin, and the narrative follows the immediate aftermath, including Lockwood’s visit to the graves and the implication that Heathcliff and Catherine may finally be united beyond death.
For more context on the novel’s plot and characters, see the overview at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wuthering_Heights
