Northanger Abbey: Blog Post 2

On page 137 readers witness a discussion between Isabella and Catherine about the one and only John Thorpe featuring Catherine stating that she has no intentions of being with him. Catherine states that the two girls will still be sisters because of Isabella and James. Isabella responds to this with, ‘there are more ways than one of our being sisters.—But where am I wandering to?—Well, my dear Catherine, the case seems to be, that you are determined against poor John-is it not so?’ (Austen 137). I truly believe that this line really displays Isabella Thorpe’s character or her character at least up until this point. I read this line twice at first because upon first read it appears that Isabella is just agreeing with Catherine, but after going over it a few times and knowing Isabella’s usual snarky comments, it becomes evident that Isabella only wants Catherine to be with John so that she does not have to be with James. However, the two would still be sisters. It also sounds as if she could possibly have a conniving plan which would also be brand for her. I mostly picked this quote though because of how it represents Isabella as a person. She constantly wants to be the best and have her cake and eat it too. She yearns for Catherine to be her sister because she cannot stand to be alone yet wants Catherine to sacrifice what she wants by marrying Isabella’s brother, in addition to not being forced to be tied down with James, who she claims she loves. She knows that John is not best for her dearest friend but disregards this due to her own wants. While this is not directly stated, it is made clear throughout the book that Isabella puts herself first, even before her “sister.” I also believe that this exert emphasizes her fear of being alone through her determination to make Catherine her sister when they are already good friends.