Chapter 7 brings two new characters into Austen's tale: John Thorpe and James Morland. "Catherine… received her brother with the liveliest pleasure; and he, being of a very amiable disposition, and sincerely attached to her, gave every roof on his side of equal satisfaction, which he could have leisure to do, while the bright eyes of Miss Thorpe were incessantly challenging his notices" (Austen 33).
As noticed in the above quote, both men begin to create a problem for Catherine Morland.
Catherine's brother, James Morland is clearly taken with Isabella, and she with him. This may prove to distract Isabella Thorpe from her new found friendship with Catherine, and leave Ms. Morland without companionship.
John Thorpe is a very odd fellow, one who is incredibly full of himself. Catherine didn't really appreciate his lack of manners, but she was flattered at first by the attention.
"Had she been older or vainer, such attacks might have done little; but, where you and diffidence are united, it requires uncommon steadiness of reason to resist the attraction of being called the most charming girl in the world, and of being so very early engaged as a partner, and the consequence was, that, when the two Morlands, after sitting an hour with the Thorpes, set off to walk together to Mr. Allen's" (Austen 37).
This chapter seems to contain clues to problems that may emerge later on in Ms. Austen's story.
Catherine and the Pursuit of Men ;)
ReplyDeleteOnce again Isabella is in her element, only this time we get to see her take action. Both women run into two men: James Morland and John Thorpe! Catherine being naive thinks her brother is there to visit her, little does she know that he is interested in her friend Isabella. Meanwhile, Isabella's brother is quite taken with Catherine and shows off, by telling her about his horse in a grand way. Catherine is only mildly impressed, leading to John asking Catherine to take a ride with him in his carriage. Catherin is unsure, she has no idea what the proper thing is, so she accepts timidly. It is here John asks Catherine to dance with him at the ball. This please Catherine very much, now she wont have to worry about be only, she is finally coming out and being accepted by the men around her.
It is still a little confusing to see her with John like this for she was so infatuated with Henry not too long ago...so what will happen at the ball? Will she realize that men will come along and like her, but that does not mean she has to like them back. Catherine is confused and will only learn with time.