Scene of Reading-Northanger Abbey

Toward the end of chapter VI we find Catherine Morland and her newly beloved friend Isabella Thorpe hurriedly making their way from the “Pump-room” toward Milsom Street.

Prior the their departure however, the young women were engaged in a brief conversation detailing Catherine’s opinion of a novel titled “Udolpho.” During the course of their conversation Catherine details her excitement for the novel and Isabella shares a list of others, described as “horrid,” which she believes Catherine will enjoy. She further suggests that they will have to read them together.

John Thorpe, Isabella’s brother and James Morland, Catherine’s brother, surprisingly and unexpectedly meet the young women as they wait to cross the roadway during a passage within chapter VII. After a brief interlude in which pleasantries are exchanged and John rambles on about his “gig,” which happens to be a horse drawn carriage for two, Catherine decides to innocently ask Mr. Thorpe the following question; “Have you ever read Udolpho Mr. Thorpe?”

Mr. Thorpe’s response is short and rationalized as he points out that he “never reads novels” and that he has “something else to do.” Mr. Thorpe’s response was, in my opinion, both an unwarranted attack and a naïve response; an attack upon, not just Catherine, but those that enjoy the pleasure associated with reading such a narrative and his naiveté was displayed as he insinuates that individuals can use such time to accomplish more than just reading fiction.

To further insult readers of novels, Mr. Thorpe describes the reading of such material as “nonsense” and “the stupidest things in creations.” Mr. Thorpe’s words allow the reader to infer that those that read novels are lacking intelligence and those writing such material even more so. The exception to the rule appears to be Tom Jones, in which Mr. Thorpe appears to infer that a male writer has succeeded in accomplishing a decent work worth his time. 

Mr. Thorpe does however utter that the writings of Mrs. Ann Radcliffe are worthy of his time, but only as a form of amusement and his ignorance is furthered when Catherine informs him that Mrs. Radcliffe is in fact the author of “Udolpho.”    

Mr. Thorpe fails to realize that his remarks identify a pattern of male chauvinistic beliefs, possibly common for the era, and that such literary works are considered to be of less academic value. As Mr. Thorpe appears to eat crow and displays his knowledge of female writers when alluding to “that other stupid book” written by a woman, Catherine assists him by correctly informing him. One again however, Mr. Thorpe justifies his lack of enthusiasm for “Camilla” when he utters that the author married an immigrant.    

Mr. Thorpe’s words echo sexism, racism, and ignorance that could possibly cause Catherine to refrain from either reading novels in the future and most assuredly internalize such enthusiasm if she were to continue enjoying the genre.