Mrs. Allen is a character in Northanger Abbey. She is married to Mr. Allen, a wealthy man who owns most of the property in Fullerton, Wiltshire, where the Morlands live[1].
Biography[]
Stay in Bath[]
Mr. and Mrs. Allen decided to go to Bath on holiday. They invited Catherine Morland, one of the ten children of Mr. and Mrs. Morland. Catherine was a favorite of Mrs. Allen's, so it was natural to invite her[1]. They rented a very comfortable home on Pulteney St[2]. Mrs Allen is charmed by the amiable young Mr Henry Tilney for his kind treatment of Catherine and knowledge of female fashions.
Mrs. Allen is responsible for Catherine's initial introduction to the Thorpe family, the two coming across Mrs Thorpe and her three daughters while in Bath. Mrs Allen comments that she and Mrs Thorpe were friends in their youth.
Mrs. Allen saw the attraction between Henry Tilney and Catherine, and privately hoped that Catherine would get involved with him—in a marriage sense.
Character traits[]
Mrs. Allen had neither beauty, genius, accomplishment, nor manner. Only her quiet, inactive good temper, and her trifling turn of mind, could account for her landing such a match with such a wealthy gentleman. She has a harmless delight in the finer things in life, and was excited to introduce her young friend to Bath society[2]. Despite this she is not an effective chaperone to Catherine, allowing her to commit social missteps (for example not warning Catherine of the impropriety of riding in Mr Thorpe's open carriage). While Catherine is dismayed at not having been advised against the error by her guardian, Mrs Allen simply remarks how trifling open carriage rides can be as they dirty dresses/blow at bonnets.
She often commented on inane things just to bring in conversation or noise to life. If there was a particularly loud carriage passing by, she would comment on it; if she messed up a stitch in embroidery, she would comment on it. She did not expect any companion to make conversation about whatever subject she brought up, she just liked to talk every once and a while.
Mrs. Allen is often a foil for herself. One minute, she is very shrewd and picking up facial expressions and subtle remarks, the next, she does not seem to understand any of it.