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When Catherine suspects Tilney of murdering his wife, she perceives him as a villain. In fact, the General's true crimes consist of being too concerned with wealth and finery, and perhaps of robbing Catherine of her imaginative vision of a real Gothic abbey.
He shows exaggerated kindness to Catherine because he believes her to be rich. The General fixates on home improvement, furniture, and landscaping his property ( Northanger Abbey ). He is very harsh and even dictatorial with his children, who know that he expects absolute obedience from them.
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- Chapter XIII
- Chapter XIV
- Chapter XV
- Chapter XVI
- Analysis
Catherine has been at Northanger Abbey for a month. She expresses concern at overstaying her welcome, but Eleanor assures her there is no problem, and Catherine is quite pleased to stay. General Tilney has to go on a business trip for several days, leaving Catherine, Eleanor and Henry to do as they please. Henry must go to Woodston for a few days. ...
On the way home, Catherine tries to figure out what offence she could have caused the General. He could not have found out that she briefly suspected him of murder, so she has no idea what she did to offend him, especially after he was so nice to her. She returns to Fullerton where she is welcomed by her family. She explains what has happened, and ...
Two days later, Catherine is still sulking. Suddenly, Henry arrives in Fullerton. Henry tells Mrs. Morland that the reason for his arrival is to make sure that Catherine made it home all right. Henry suggests that he pay a visit to the Allens, and Catherine joins him. On the walk to the Allens' house, he proposes to her, and she accepts. He explain...
Henry asks the Morlands for Catherine's hand in marriage. They are surprised, but they quickly give their consent to the marriage. However, in order to be proper, they refuse to allow the marriage until the General has given his own consent. Henry and Catherine also want the General's consent, but they fear that it will be some time before he will ...
General Tilney and Catherine clash frequently over the course of the novel. Catherine almost always finds the General grumpy and disagreeable, even if he is not a killer. She also dislikes the way he treats his children. It is possible to argue that the climax of the novel occurs when the General sends Catherine away. There is a sense of finality a...
This makes Catherine intensely curious about the forbidden area, especially when she learns that General Tilney's late wife had a room beyond the forbidden doors. Catherine questions Eleanor about her mother, and discovers that she died suddenly of an illness while Eleanor was away.
Catherine asks if Mrs. Tilney ’s picture hangs in the General’s room, and Eleanor says that her father was dissatisfied with the painting, which she has hung in her own room. Catherine then feels an aversion towards the General: he was clearly cruel to his charming wife.
General Tilney accepts the story she tells them. He is impressed with Catherine; she can tell from the way he smiles at her. He asks if she can stay the rest of the day and dine with them.
Ultimately, the General is horrible towards Catherine. But this is only after kissing up to her when he thought she was rich. In fact, his attentions make Catherine feel uncomfortable. The General's behavioral about-face hinges on his knowledge about Catherine's personal wealth.
