The few days that passed between Chapters III and IV were quite a disappointment for Catherine. Mr. Tilney had not made another appearance, though she had made sure to be at every gathering place in the city so as not to miss bumping into him again. Catherine is understandably upset for a little while, and quietly laments the possibility that she read too much into the situation at the Lower Rooms.
Again Mrs. Allen constantly utters the same phrase over and again regarding the lack of acquaintance in the city. Luckily a new day brings some delightful new friends into Mrs. Allen and Catherine Morlands' vacation in Bath, successfully putting a halt to her complaining over the lack of friends. Mrs. Thorpe and her daughters (chiefly the eldest, Isabella) latched on to Mrs. Allen and Catherine immediately. Ms. Isabella Thorpe and her sisters recognize Catherine's last name and exclaim over the good fortune of meeting the sister of one of their brothers' school friends, Mr. James Morland.
Catherine and Isabella got along splendidly: "Catherine was delighted with this extension of her Bath acquaintance, and almost forgot Mr. Tilney while she talked to Miss Thorpe. Friendship is certainly the finest balm for the pangs of disappointed love" (Austen 21).
Catherine: Infatuated or is it Love?
ReplyDeleteHere we see a crucial time for Catherine. She likes Mr. Tinley, and it is quite obvious.It is interesting to watch Catherine in such a predicament, for she has no idea what to do with her feelings. She is growing up and maturing: leaving her childhood behind.
in this chapter we are introduced to Isabella Thorpe and her sisters. Isabella takes a liking for Catherine very quickly and latches onto her. It is not difficult to tell that these two women are complete opposites. Isabella is consumed in the society in Bath and spends most of the time talking about fashion, flirtations going on and attractive men- something Catherine has not to bothered with until now. Catherine is being thrown into the fires of society and it seems as if it is only the beginning.