Sir Francis Bacon is often cited as the progenitor of the phrase "knowledge is power". This sentiment, if true, would render Catherine Morland of Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey powerless. When the reader first meets Catherine, she is a naive girl and is unfamiliar with the ways of fashionable society. His first partner, Isabella Thrope, foils his character. Isabella is sophisticated, beautiful, and appears to be able to behave favorably in instances of human interaction that perplex Catherine. However, Isabella's downfall at the end of the novel indicates that while she may have some knowledge, it is ultimately false and therefore places her in greater danger than her naïve friend. In this way, the character of Isabella provides an intriguing study in how social, psychological, and ideological misinformation can lead to personal destruction. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original EssayThe opening chapters take care to explain that Catherine, the heroine of the text, is very atypical compared to the heroines of Gothic novels. She is simple, unfinished, unwanted by lovers and lives a safe and ordinary life. Isabella, however, seems to be an excellent gothic heroine. She is beautiful and has an undeniable success with suitors. His long-winded and overly emotional way of speaking parallels the heightened sensuality of the characters in Ann Radcliffe's The Italian. She never simply feels something but has “gone mad” (32); he never simply waits five minutes but rather “this age” (31); she does not agree, “promises faithfully”. (155) Catherine, the narrator, and even Isabella truly believe in the characterization that Isabella creates for herself as the embodiment of the sentimental heroine. Although this belief ultimately puts Catherine in jeopardy, Isabella's reluctance to recognize the indicators that she is not a hero puts Isabella at greater risk. Isabella expects the whole world to accept her as she presents herself and never doubts her acting abilities. While not evil per se, Isabella's false knowledge causes many of Catherine's problems in the novel. Isabella manages to get a marriage proposal from Catherine's brother, James Morland. However, when she discovers that he is not as rich as she initially thought, she sets her sights on Captain Tilney. It is this reaction that has given Isabella her reputation as a gold digger. If this is true, then she is a manipulative, self-centered young woman seeking upward social mobility. Although she is ignorant of her own character, she is well aware that she lacks most of the resources (such as wealth or family connections) to bring to a marriage that would make her desirable to potential suitors. Isabella's gamble with James in an attempt to secure Captain Tilney reveals a deficit on the part of her interpretation of the world. Being beautiful, Isabella is used to surprising men with her good looks and seducing them. However, she has not yet met her male counterpart, a person capable of manipulating women in the same way Isabella manipulates men. Her relative naivety in this regard causes Isabella to fall in love with Tinley, a man who plays at romance like her. Furthermore, her attempt to marry the Captain reveals her lack of understanding of true emotional pain as she seems to think she can avoid James only to claim him when her other plans fail. The letter that reveals Isabella's misfortune in chapter 27 brings together all of her flaws in one document. As in all their interactions, Isabella tries to establish an atmosphere of intimacy.
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