![]() ![]() Poor Catherine was so delighted with finding a friend to sympathise with her about the Mysteries of Udolpho that she did not observe how vapid, vulgar, and self-seeking her new friend was.”Ĭornish’s book entitled Jane Austen is a literary critique written in 1913. They are in the middle distance, between the heroes and the villains, between the Darcys and the Wickhams, the Elizabeths and the Lucy Steeles. Some of them succeed, some fail in their object, which is to get a husband and a position. Isabella Thorpe is one of those females not unfrequently met with in Jane Austen’s novels, who combine an empty head and agreeable manners with a clear view of personal advantage. For the present the friendship was all-satisfying. “Isabella’s interest in her was no doubt quickened by the fact that she admired James Morland, Catherine’s brother. Author Francis Warre Cornish (pg 180) describes Isabella’s interest in Catherine quite openly. Isabella also shares Catherine’s passion, but she uses Gothic novels as a consumable commodity, purely entertainment in between her next romantic conquest. Her mention of Udolpho shows that she is still focused on her first love, Gothic fiction. Oh! The dreadful black veil! My dear Isabella, I am sure there must be Laurentina’s skeleton behind it.”Ĭatherine’s interest in Isabella is entirely genuine and unaffected. I do not pretend to say that I was not very much pleased with him but while I have Udolpho to read, I feel as if nobody could make me miserable. I am sure you would be miserable if you thought so!” ![]() ![]() “Not see him again! My dearest creature, do not talk of it. Tilney, for perhaps I may never see him again.” “But you should not persuade me that I think so very much about Mr. Everything is so insipid, so uninteresting, that does not relate to the beloved object! I can perfectly comprehend your feelings.” Where the heart is really attached, I know very well how little one can be pleased with the attention of anybody else. ![]() Nay, I cannot blame you” – speaking more seriously – “your feelings are easily understood. “It is very true, upon my honour, but I see how it is you are indifferent to everybody’s admiration, except that of one gentleman, who shall be nameless. “I know you very well you have so much animation,… Oh! I must tell you, that just after we parted yesterday, I saw a young man looking at you so earnestly – I am sure he is in love with you.” Catherine coloured, and disclaimed again. (Isabella) … My attachments are always excessively strong… Now, if I were to hear anybody speak slightingly of you, I should fire up in a moment: but that is not at all likely, for you are just the kind of girl to be a great favourite with the men.” Her enthusiasm and attention to her naïve friend feeds Catherine’s insecurity and inexperience. Isabella and Catherine discuss topics of acute interest to young ladies, that would be pertinent even today friends, dancing, personality, romance and men! Observe Isabella’s language. They have met in the Pump-room in Bath (England), and their conversation is described by the narrator as an example of their “very warm attachment, and of the delicacy, discretion, originality of thought, and literary taste which marked the reasonableness of that attachment.” The quote above is from one of my favorite early scenes in the novel when Isabella and Catherine are developing their friendship. Jane Austen’s character Isabella Thorpe is a strange creature by way of a friend an odd mixture of affability and cunning, ready to fiercely defend her new friend Catherine Morland if anyone should slight her, flatter her ego to earn her trust, and ply her with advice on romance! What an ingenious character to throw in the path of our young heroine in the making, who innocently does not know what may be “lurking behind the dreadful black veil” of new acquaintance. Isabella Thorpe, Northanger Abbey, Chapter 6 I have no notion of loving people by halves it is not my nature. “There is nothing I would not do for those who are really my friends. ![]()
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