Northanger Abbey · Chapter
Chapter VII explained
Catherine and James Morland visit the Thorpes.
What happens
Catherine and James Morland visit the Thorpes. Catherine, influenced by flattery and her brother's praise, claims to like John Thorpe despite her earlier indifference. John Thorpe reveals his disdain for novels, embarrassing Catherine. Later, Catherine and Isabella encounter James and John in Bath, and John boasts about his horse and gig.
Themes in this chapter
Reality vs. Imagination
Catherine's imagination is inflamed by reading 'Udolpho', contrasting with John Thorpe's crude realism and dismissal of novels.
Friendship and Deception
Isabella's flattery and James's praise influence Catherine's judgment, masking John Thorpe's true character.
Characters to notice
- Catherine Morland
Influenced by flattery, she claims to like John Thorpe; feels humiliated when he dismisses novels.
- James Morland
Praises Isabella Thorpe and encourages Catherine's attachment to her; meets Catherine in Bath.
- John Thorpe
Boasts about his horse and gig; dismisses novels and embarrasses Catherine with his critique.
- Isabella Thorpe
Flatters Catherine and assures her that John thinks her charming; meets James in Bath.
Key passages
“and diffidence are united, it requires uncommon steadiness of reason to resist the attraction of being called the most charming girl in the world, and of being very early engaged as a partner”
When a young woman is both young and shy, it takes extraordinary rationality to resist the allure of being called the most charming girl and being quickly asked to dance.
Narrator explains Catherine's susceptibility to flattery.
“I never read novels; I have something else to do.”
I don't read novels; I have more important things to occupy my time.
John Thorpe dismisses novel reading, embarrassing Catherine.
“Three -and-twenty! cried Thorpe, five-and-twenty if it is an inch.”
Twenty-three miles! Thorpe exclaimed, it's twenty-five if it's an inch.
John Thorpe exaggerates the distance traveled to boast about his horse's speed.