“Little as Catherine was in the habit of judging for herself…”

In Chapter 9, as Catherine tries to decipher the character of Mr. Thorpe, the narrator precedes the judgment with “Little as Catherine was in the habit of judging for herself” (Austen 86).  After reading this line, it became more and more noticeable that male characters often make decisions and actions for Catherine and other female characters.  Catherine allows her brother and Mr. Thorpe (as well as Isabella) to persuade her to go with them instead of spending time with the Tilneys, quickly accepting John’s word when he says that he say the Tilneys pass him on the way out of town.  As the reader, I could tell immediately that he was lying in order to get what he wanted.  Austen also seems to be commenting on the fact that male authors have created these societal standards for women.  Austen mentions the fact that “as a celebrated writer has maintained, that no young lady can be justified in falling in love before the gentleman’s love is declared” (Austen 52).  The footnote for that statement says that it refers to Samuel Richardson’s beliefs.  The novels that Catherine devours espouse these restrictions on females, and many of them are written by males trying to force a societal construct.

The character of Mrs. Allen does nothing to combat this female passivity.  If anything she aggravates it with her constant inability to see anything not in terms of fashion and in her constant changing of opinions to fit those of others.  Mrs. Allen’s ever-changing opinions become a point of hilarity, especially when she switches her view of the upcoming weather to fit that which her husband espouses and when she decries riding in open carriages because of the potential for ruined clothing.  In her apparent apathy, she agrees with whatever her husband says, following the belief of the male’s fortitude of opinion.

It seems that Catherine is trying to break out of this pattern of blind acceptance and understanding through the first volume.  We finally see some sort of change when Catherine becomes upset after John delivers her word to Miss Tilney without her permission.  While she realizes that she can indeed think for herself and get good results (Miss Tilney and her father react positively when she comes to offer her apologies), Mrs. Allen remains the constant personification of feminine weakness and acceptance.