The Thorpe Conspiracy (spoiler)
Posted by Valerie Mc. on January 05, 1998 at 22:27:16:
In response to The Thorpe Conspiracy Theory? - (long), written by Carolyn B on January 05, 1998 at 19:14:04
] Did Isabella and John Thorpe actively conspire to secure the affections of James and Catherine Morland? The book does not state it outright
] Butler suggests that Isabella could be seen as the grand conspirator. I have always felt that while Isabella was after James, she was a bit too self-centered to be really actively trying to arrange a match between her brother and Catherine at the beginning, and certainly not on the scale of planning suggested below. What do you think?
The Thorpes were certainly working together during part of the Bath visit, but not nearly as cleverly as Butler suggests. Isabella at first carelessly encourages Catherine to be interested in Henry, then starts running him down after John shows an interest in Catherine.
I think the author's summation of John's motives at the end of the novel show that he came up with most of his misconceptions and plans himself.
And after all, if they were smart enough to work out the elaborate plot that Butler imagines, wouldn't they be smart enough to check their sources?
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