Northanger Abbey · Character

Mrs. Thorpe

Isabella and John's mother, an old acquaintance of Mrs. Allen.

minor

Also known as Thorpe, the gentle Mrs. Thorpe

First appearance: iii

Mrs. Thorpe's tie to Catherine Morland is one of the pressures that moves Northanger Abbey—worth meeting in the text, not only on a cast list.

A widow and indulgent mother, who introduces her daughters to Mrs.

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See Mrs. Thorpe in IV Book page

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With Catherine Morland (social): Mrs. Thorpe is a gossipy acquaintance of Mrs. Allen and mother to Isabella and John, whose schemes indirectly affect Catherine. With Isabella Thorpe (family): Mrs. Thorpe indulges Isabella's manipulative behavior and encourages her pursuit of wealthy matches. With Mrs. Allen (social): Mrs. Allen and Mrs. Thorpe are old acquaintances who enjoy gossiping together in Bath.

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of Mrs. Thorpe sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Mrs. Thorpe in iii

Character Web

11 connections

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

Relationship types

Social
Family
Other

Character groups

Bath social 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…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Catherine Morland
social · ambivalent
Isabella Thorpe
family · ambivalent
Mrs. Allen
social · positive
James Morland
social · negative
Catherine Morland
social · ambivalent
Catherine Morland
social · ambivalent
Mrs. Allen
social · positive
Isabella Thorpe
family · ambivalent
James Morland
social · negative
Mrs. Allen
social · positive
Isabella Thorpe
family · ambivalent

Catherine Morland
Mrs. Thorpe is a gossipy acquaintance of Mrs. Allen and mother to Isabella and John, whose schemes indirectly affect Catherine.
Isabella Thorpe
Mrs. Thorpe indulges Isabella's manipulative behavior and encourages her pursuit of wealthy matches.
Mrs. Allen
Mrs. Allen and Mrs. Thorpe are old acquaintances who enjoy gossiping together in Bath.
James Morland
James is initially a welcome guest in Mrs. Thorpe's home as Isabella's suitor, but she later dismisses him after the engagement fails.
Catherine Morland
Mrs. Thorpe is a gossipy acquaintance of Mrs. Allen and mother to Isabella and John, whose schemes indirectly affect Catherine.
Catherine Morland
Mrs. Thorpe is a gossipy acquaintance of Mrs. Allen and mother to Isabella and John, whose schemes indirectly affect Catherine.
Mrs. Allen
Mrs. Allen and Mrs. Thorpe are old acquaintances who enjoy gossiping together in Bath.
Isabella Thorpe
Mrs. Thorpe indulges Isabella's manipulative behavior and encourages her pursuit of wealthy matches.
James Morland
James is initially a welcome guest in Mrs. Thorpe's home as Isabella's suitor, but she later dismisses him after the engagement fails.
Mrs. Allen
Mrs. Allen and Mrs. Thorpe are old acquaintances who enjoy gossiping together in Bath.
Isabella Thorpe
Mrs. Thorpe indulges Isabella's manipulative behavior and encourages her pursuit of wealthy matches.

Relationship notes

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

See Mrs. Thorpe in iii

In the story

Mrs. Thorpe appears across 3 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Mrs. Thorpe unlock in the free preview.

See Mrs. Thorpe in iii

See Mrs. Thorpe in IV