Northanger Abbey · Character

Mrs. Allen

Catherine's Bath chaperone, a woman of ample fortune and scant conversation whose chief anxiety is whether a white gown suits the occasion.

supporting

Also known as dear Mrs. Allen, Allen, Mr. and Mrs. Allen

First appearance: Chapter I

As a supporting figure in Northanger Abbey, Mrs. Allen is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

A good-humored woman fond of Catherine; invites her to Bath.

In the storyChapter IOpen this moment free

See Mrs. Allen in Chapter I Book page

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Mrs. Allen launches Catherine into Bath society less from care for her young companion than from a settled habit of dressing well and going nowhere in particular. Her running commentary on muslin, lace, and the cut of a sleeve supplies Austen's driest comedy, while her cheerful indifference leaves Catherine to navigate the town's social currents alone. That vacancy matters: the girl who must judge Thorpe and the Tilneys for herself becomes the reader's own instrument of discernment.

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See Mrs. Allen in Chapter I

Character Web

11 connections

A slice of how Mrs. Allen sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Social
Other

Character groups

Bath social circle
Northanger Abbey circle
Protagonist

+6 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

Catherine’s emotional peak occurs when she realizes that General Tilney’s absence brings her “the first experi…

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Relationships

Catherine Morland
social · positive
Henry Tilney
social · positive
Mrs. Thorpe
social · positive
General Tilney
social · ambivalent
Catherine Morland
social · positive
Catherine Morland
social · positive
Mrs. Thorpe
social · positive
Henry Tilney
social · positive
General Tilney
social · ambivalent
Henry Tilney
social · positive
Mrs. Thorpe
social · positive
General Tilney
social · ambivalent

Catherine Morland
Mrs. Allen acts as Catherine's chaperone in Bath, but her preoccupation with fashion and trivialities makes her a passive and ineffective guardian.
Henry Tilney
Henry is politely courteous to Mrs. Allen as a fellow Bath acquaintance, though he finds her vapid.
Mrs. Thorpe
Mrs. Allen and Mrs. Thorpe are old acquaintances who enjoy gossiping together in Bath.
General Tilney
General Tilney cultivates a polite acquaintance with Mrs. Allen only after mistakenly believing Catherine is an heiress.
Catherine Morland
Mrs. Allen acts as Catherine's chaperone in Bath, but her preoccupation with fashion and trivialities makes her a passive and ineffective guardian.
Catherine Morland
Mrs. Allen acts as Catherine's chaperone in Bath, but her preoccupation with fashion and trivialities makes her a passive and ineffective guardian.
Mrs. Thorpe
Mrs. Allen and Mrs. Thorpe are old acquaintances who enjoy gossiping together in Bath.
Henry Tilney
Henry is politely courteous to Mrs. Allen as a fellow Bath acquaintance, though he finds her vapid.
General Tilney
General Tilney cultivates a polite acquaintance with Mrs. Allen only after mistakenly believing Catherine is an heiress.
Henry Tilney
Henry is politely courteous to Mrs. Allen as a fellow Bath acquaintance, though he finds her vapid.
Mrs. Thorpe
Mrs. Allen and Mrs. Thorpe are old acquaintances who enjoy gossiping together in Bath.
General Tilney
General Tilney cultivates a polite acquaintance with Mrs. Allen only after mistakenly believing Catherine is an heiress.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Mrs. Allen in Chapter I

In the story

Mrs. Allen appears across 11 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter I
A good-humored woman fond of Catherine; invites her to Bath.
Chapter II
Catherine's chaperone, a woman of little beauty or accomplishment, whose passion is dress; she is kind but ineffectual in helping Catherine find a dance partner.
III
Accompanies Catherine to the Lower Rooms, discusses muslin with Mr. Tilney, and expresses her wish for a numerous acquaintance.
IV
Reunites with her old schoolfellow Mrs. Thorpe in the Pump Room.
Chapter V
Mrs. Allen is happy with her new acquaintance Mrs. Thorpe and enjoys spending time with her.
Chapter IX
Shows placid indifference to Catherine's plans; provides trivial and unhelpful information about the Tilneys.
Chapter XII
Accompanies Catherine to the theatre; her only remark is 'My dear, you tumble my gown.'
XIV
Supports Catherine at the beginning of the chapter and gives permission for Catherine to dine with the Tilneys.
Chapter XVII
Mentioned as one of Catherine's first friends who introduced her to Bath society.
Chapter XVIII
Mrs. Allen accompanies Catherine in the Pump Room and proposes returning home.
Chapter XXIX
Receives Catherine kindly and repeatedly expresses impatience with General Tilney, though her attention wanders to her mended lace.

Chapter companion notes

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See Mrs. Allen in Chapter I