# Mr. Allen — Northanger Abbey character guide

> Mr. Allen in Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Allen, Mr. and Mrs. Allen

**First appearance:** 0002-i

## Snapshot

Catherine's sensible, good-humored host in Bath, a man of leisure who says little but whose quiet judgment and steady presence anchor her first foray into society.

## Who they are

Mr. Allen is a respectable gentleman of independent means who brings Catherine to Bath and serves as her nominal guardian in its social maze. He is amiable and unexcitable, more interested in his newspaper and his dinner than in the intrigues of the Pump Room, and his mild detachment leaves Catherine largely to navigate her own affairs. His good sense and eventual willingness to act on her behalf mark him as one of the novel's few reliable adults.

## In the story

### [Chapter I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/northanger_abbey_se/chapters/i)

The chief property owner in Fullerton; his gout prompts the trip to Bath.

### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/northanger_abbey_se/chapters/ii)

A sensible, intelligent man who accompanies the ladies to Bath but spends the ball in the card-room, offering only mild consolation afterward.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/northanger_abbey_se/chapters/iii)

Inquires about Mr. Tilney's background and confirms he is a clergyman from a respectable family.

### [Chapter XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/northanger_abbey_se/chapters/xvii)

He extends the stay in Bath by another fortnight, which initially delights Catherine.

### [XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/northanger_abbey_se/chapters/xx)

Accompanies Catherine to Milsom Street and bids her farewell; his opinion on open carriages makes Catherine blush.

### [Chapter XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/northanger_abbey_se/chapters/xxix)

Shows sensible friendship and resentment on hearing how Catherine was treated.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/northanger_abbey_se/characters/mr_allen
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/northanger_abbey_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/northanger_abbey_se/characters