Many characters in Wuthering Heights are selfish and manipulative.  However, Nelly lies outside of these lines.  Nelly is the most heroic in the novel because she is able to remain standing when everything else is falling down.

She takes care of Heathcliff and Catherine and helps them through the problems they have.  The most prominent example is when Catherine was trying to decide between Heathcliff and Edgar and Nelly tries to help her choose, “And, though I’m hardly a judge, I think that’s the worst motive you’ve given yet for being the wife of young Linton” (Chapter 9).  She tries to help Catherine realize her own actions and possible consequences.  Nelly continues to do this throughout the novel.

She has also dedicated her life to the people of this story and, while she is opinionated, she is good-hearted.  She tries to help the characters by showing examples of what the “right” thing to do is but she is surrounded by people who cannot focus on anything but themselves.  Heathcliff, Joseph, Catherine, Edgar, Isabella, Hindley, and Linton are the society in which Nelly lives in.  But even though these characters are corrupted, she manages to stick to her own thoughts and morals and has the ability to influence Hareton and Young Catherine.

Her selflessness and her confidence in her own morals makes her the hero of this novel.