Northanger Abbey
Henry Tilney
The hero
A witty young clergyman who teases Catherine gently and loves novels. He is clever and kind, and he stands up to his own father for her.
Henry Tilney is twenty-five, a clergyman with a country parsonage at Woodston, and the cleverest talker in Bath. He jokes about conversation duties at a ball, shows off a surprising knowledge of muslin, and defends novels as nothing to be ashamed of. His teasing is always affectionate, never cruel, and it hides a firm sense of right and wrong.
Henry notices more than most people do. He sees through his brother Frederick and Isabella Thorpe long before Catherine does, and he is devoted to his sister Eleanor. He also lives under the shadow of a demanding father, which tests his patience and, in the end, his courage. He is the one person who lets Catherine laugh at herself without ever making her feel small.
“Remember the country and the age in which we live. Remember that we are English, that we are Christians.”
In the story
Contains spoilers.
Henry meets Catherine at the Upper Rooms, dances with her, and then spins a Gothic tale on the drive to Northanger to tease her. When she confesses her wild suspicion about his father, he answers with calm good sense and then treats her even more kindly at dinner.
After General Tilney sends Catherine away, Henry learns that John Thorpe's lies are to blame. He tells his father he is bound to Catherine by honor and affection, rides to Fullerton, and proposes. Once the General relents, they marry.
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