# IV explained — Northanger Abbey

> Chapter companion for Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen.

## What happens

Catherine meets Isabella Thorpe and her family in Bath, forming a quick friendship. Mrs. Allen reunites with an old schoolfellow, Mrs. Thorpe, and Catherine is delighted to find a new companion, though she briefly forgets Mr. Tilney.

## Themes in this chapter

### Friendship and Deception

Catherine's quick attachment to Isabella Thorpe, based on superficial charm and shared interests, hints at potential deception.

### Social Class and Wealth

Mrs. Thorpe's status as a not very rich widow and the comparison of lace on pelisses highlight class consciousness.

## Character check-ins

### Catherine Morland

Delighted to meet Isabella Thorpe and form a new friendship, momentarily forgetting Mr. Tilney.

### Isabella Thorpe

Eldest Miss Thorpe, four years older than Catherine, who impresses her with knowledge of fashion and flirtations.

### Mrs. Allen

Reunites with her old schoolfellow Mrs. Thorpe in the Pump Room.

### Mrs. Thorpe

A widow and indulgent mother, who introduces her daughters to Mrs. Allen and Catherine.

### James Morland

Catherine's brother, whose friendship with John Thorpe leads to the introduction.

### John Thorpe

Mentioned as James Morland's college friend and brother to Isabella.

## Key lines

> Friendship is certainly the finest balm for the pangs of disappointed love.

Friendship is the best remedy for heartache.

_Narrator's ironic comment on Catherine's quick shift of attention from Mr. Tilney to Isabella._

> Their conversation turned upon those subjects, of which the free discussion has generally much to do in perfecting a sudden intimacy between two young ladies: such as dress, balls, flirtations, and quizzes.

They talked about fashion, parties, and gossip, which quickly bonded them as new friends.

_Highlights the superficial basis of their new friendship._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/northanger_abbey_se/chapters/iv
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/northanger_abbey_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/northanger_abbey_se/chapters