The orphan child Heathcliff is taken in by the Earnshaw family. Close to his step-sister Catherine, an obsessive passion forms between the two, but when old Earnshaw dies, Catherine's cruel brother Hindley is the new master and forces Heathcliff into servitude. One of the refined neighbors Edgar Linton calls on Catherine and, attracted by his manners and influence, she agrees to marry him. Heathcliff runs away and returns a wealthy man years later. His re-appearance disrupts the tranquil marriage between Catherine and Edgar, and from there, the story spirals into one of vengeance and tragedy, nearly poisoning the next generation with its after-effects.