Character outline
CATHERINE MORLAND
Naïve, innocent, and imaginative, Catherine is the protagonist of the novel. Before going to Bath with the Allens, Catherine has never been away from her family home in Fullerton for an extended period of time. Catherine’s main occupation is reading Gothic novels, particularly Anne Radcliffe’s The Mysteries of Udolpho. This leads her to imagine herself as the heroine of a Gothic murder mystery when she visits the Tilneys at Northanger Abbey. Catherine eventually realizes her mistake and repents her accusations of General Tilney, whom she believed played a part in his wife’s death. Catherine matures over the course of the novel and becomes more independent and adept at assessing the true characters of those around her. Her infatuation with Henry deepens into a genuine affection, and her patience is rewarded by their marriage.
Naïve, innocent, and imaginative, Catherine is the protagonist of the novel. Before going to Bath with the Allens, Catherine has never been away from her family home in Fullerton for an extended period of time. Catherine’s main occupation is reading Gothic novels, particularly Anne Radcliffe’s The Mysteries of Udolpho. This leads her to imagine herself as the heroine of a Gothic murder mystery when she visits the Tilneys at Northanger Abbey. Catherine eventually realizes her mistake and repents her accusations of General Tilney, whom she believed played a part in his wife’s death. Catherine matures over the course of the novel and becomes more independent and adept at assessing the true characters of those around her. Her infatuation with Henry deepens into a genuine affection, and her patience is rewarded by their marriage.
HENRY TILNEY
Handsome and kind, Henry is the object of Catherine’s affection. He splits his time between his family home at Northanger Abbey and his parish house at Woodston. Henry is steadfast and devoted to his family, particularly his sister. Henry is also realistic and rational, hence why he reprimands Catherine for her imagined Gothic fantasy during her visit. In contrast to Catherine, Henry has read a variety of books in all kinds of subject areas. This gives him an advantage in their conversations, and Henry seeks to increase Catherine’s knowledge of the world and other people’s motivations, particularly in the case of his brother’s flirtation with Isabella. Although he is generally a good son,Henry has a strained relationship with his overbearing father and is not afraid to defy his father’s most unreasonable wishes—this is made most apparent when he proposes to Catherine despite his father’s disapproval.
Handsome and kind, Henry is the object of Catherine’s affection. He splits his time between his family home at Northanger Abbey and his parish house at Woodston. Henry is steadfast and devoted to his family, particularly his sister. Henry is also realistic and rational, hence why he reprimands Catherine for her imagined Gothic fantasy during her visit. In contrast to Catherine, Henry has read a variety of books in all kinds of subject areas. This gives him an advantage in their conversations, and Henry seeks to increase Catherine’s knowledge of the world and other people’s motivations, particularly in the case of his brother’s flirtation with Isabella. Although he is generally a good son,Henry has a strained relationship with his overbearing father and is not afraid to defy his father’s most unreasonable wishes—this is made most apparent when he proposes to Catherine despite his father’s disapproval.
ISABELLA THORPE
Isabella is an ambitious young woman who befriends Catherine in Bath. Her goal in life is to marry a wealthy man, but this is difficult since she has no fortune. Isabella sets her sights on Catherine’s brother James, and their mutual flirtation leads to their engagement. Upon discovering that James will only have a modest income, Isabella is infuriated and disappointed, but she attempts to hide her feelings from Catherine. When the dashing Captain Tilney arrives in Bath, Isabella begins a new flirtation with him despite being engaged. Her plot to switch suitors is ultimately foiled, and both men leave her.
Isabella is an ambitious young woman who befriends Catherine in Bath. Her goal in life is to marry a wealthy man, but this is difficult since she has no fortune. Isabella sets her sights on Catherine’s brother James, and their mutual flirtation leads to their engagement. Upon discovering that James will only have a modest income, Isabella is infuriated and disappointed, but she attempts to hide her feelings from Catherine. When the dashing Captain Tilney arrives in Bath, Isabella begins a new flirtation with him despite being engaged. Her plot to switch suitors is ultimately foiled, and both men leave her.
ELEANOR TILNEY
Henry’s sister, Miss Tilney is also a loyal and devoted friend to Catherine. Miss Tilney withstands long stretches of loneliness when Henry is gone from Northanger Abbey and she is forced to endure her father’s temper alone. She is eager to serve others and generally self-effacing. Miss Tilney seldom voices her own desires; instead, she sets out to care for her loved ones and make her guest feel at home. Miss Tilney is a passive figure whose self-sacrifices are meant to stand in contrast with Isabella’s active and selfish scheming.
Henry’s sister, Miss Tilney is also a loyal and devoted friend to Catherine. Miss Tilney withstands long stretches of loneliness when Henry is gone from Northanger Abbey and she is forced to endure her father’s temper alone. She is eager to serve others and generally self-effacing. Miss Tilney seldom voices her own desires; instead, she sets out to care for her loved ones and make her guest feel at home. Miss Tilney is a passive figure whose self-sacrifices are meant to stand in contrast with Isabella’s active and selfish scheming.
JOHN THORPE
Isabella’s brother, John is boastful and arrogant. He courts Catherine by taking her out for carriage rides in the country and spends the entirety of their time together bragging about what a good driver he is. John is clueless about other people’s desires and mistakenly assumes that Catherine returns his sentiments. Late in the novel, we find out that John had been spreading inflated rumors of Catherine’s wealth before his hopes were dashed by her rejection.
Isabella’s brother, John is boastful and arrogant. He courts Catherine by taking her out for carriage rides in the country and spends the entirety of their time together bragging about what a good driver he is. John is clueless about other people’s desires and mistakenly assumes that Catherine returns his sentiments. Late in the novel, we find out that John had been spreading inflated rumors of Catherine’s wealth before his hopes were dashed by her rejection.
GENERAL TILNEY
The despotic father of Henry, Miss Tilney, and Captain Tilney, General Tilney is a proud, materialistic man who spends his days managing his estate at Northanger Abbey. His wife died many years ago, and he avoids entering her former bedroom so that he will not be reminded of her. General Tilney is a gracious host to Catherine during the majority of her stay at his estate, but we find out that his hospitality is motivated by his misguided greed—he wants to advance his family’s own social position and initially thinks that Catherine is a rich, eligible young woman. His anger emerges when he finds out that he was wrong, but he is placated by his daughter's marriage to a nobleman and later gives Henry his consent.