Northanger Abbey
Mr. Allen
Catherine's host in Bath
A sensible, quiet country gentleman who takes his wife and Catherine to Bath for his gout. He lets his wife chatter and keeps his own counsel.
Mr. Allen is the steady one of the Bath household. He goes to Bath to take the waters for his gout, and he asks Mrs. Morland to spare Catherine for the trip. He is patient with his wife's fixation on fashion and keeps a calm, practical outlook.
He is a safe and respectable host who gives Catherine a good lodging in a strange city. He also approves of Henry Tilney.
“Mrs. Allen and I are taking the waters at Bath for my gout, Mrs. Morland.”
In the story
Contains spoilers.
Mr. Allen offers the invitation that sends Catherine to Bath. After that he stays in the background, a reassuring presence while Catherine meets friends and enemies.
He is not part of the Northanger or Fullerton chapters. His main role is to open the door to Bath. He appears at the start, in the generous offer, and his steady kindness is what makes the Bath adventure possible for a girl from a modest family.
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