Northanger Abbey · Chapter
Chapter XVI explained
Catherine's visit to the Tilneys in Milsom Street disappoints her expectations, as both Henry and Eleanor seem distant.
What happens
Catherine's visit to the Tilneys in Milsom Street disappoints her expectations, as both Henry and Eleanor seem distant. Isabella interprets their behavior as pride, but Catherine defends them. At the evening ball, Catherine is pleased to find the Tilneys as kind as before. She notices Captain Frederick Tilney, who dances with Isabella despite her earlier protestations. Isabella later explains she was pressured into dancing. The chapter also reveals that James Morland's father has promised him a living of four hundred pounds a year, allowing him to marry Isabella in two or three years. Isabella feigns discontent about the delay, but Catherine is hurt by her insinuations about Mr. Morland's generosity.
Themes in this chapter
Appearance vs. Reality
Isabella's feigned reluctance to dance and her pretended disinterest in money contrast with her actual behavior and concerns.
Love and Marriage
The practical considerations of marriage are highlighted through James's living and Isabella's reaction to the delay.
Friendship and Deception
Isabella's manipulation of Catherine's perceptions and her insincere complaints about the Tilneys and her engagement.
Characters to notice
- Catherine Morland
Feels disappointed after her visit to the Tilneys but defends them against Isabella's accusations; later enjoys the ball and dances with Henry.
- Henry Tilney
Seems distant during the visit but dances with Catherine at the ball and makes witty remarks about Isabella's change of mind.
- Isabella Thorpe
Criticizes the Tilneys as proud, then dances with Captain Tilney despite earlier refusal; expresses discontent about the delay in her marriage to James.
- General Tilney
Polite and attentive to Catherine during her visit, though she feels relieved to leave his company.
- Eleanor Tilney
Kind to Catherine at the ball but seemed less intimate during the visit.
- Captain Frederick Tilney
Introduced as a fashionable, handsome young man; dances with Isabella despite her initial refusal.
Key passages
“Catherine’s expectations of pleasure from her visit in Milsom Street were so very high that disappointment was inevitable”
Catherine had built up such high hopes for her visit to the Tilneys that she was bound to be let down.
Highlights Catherine's tendency to idealize situations, leading to inevitable disappointment.
“It was all pride, pride, insufferable haughtiness and pride!”
Isabella claims the Tilneys' behavior was due to unbearable arrogance.
Isabella's dramatic interpretation contrasts with Catherine's more measured view.
“To be always firm must be to be often obstinate. When properly to relax is the trial of judgment”
Henry suggests that constant firmness is just stubbornness, and knowing when to yield shows true wisdom.
Henry's witty observation on Isabella's change of heart about dancing.
“Four hundred is but a small income to begin on indeed, but your wishes, my dear Isabella, are so moderate”
Mrs. Thorpe tries to comfort Isabella by noting that her desires are modest, though the income is small.
Reveals the financial constraints of the marriage and Mrs. Thorpe's anxiety.
