The Thorpes of Putney consist of Mr. Thorpe, a lawyer; Mrs. Thorpe, his widow; and their six children: John, Isabella, Anne, Maria, Edward, and William. The family was left in financial straits after Mr. Thorpe's death, and they must marry money, which leads them to court the Morland family in the hope that Isabella will marry James Morland and John will marry Catherine Morland.
The Thorpes discover the Morlands aren't as wealthy as they assumed after Isabella and James become engaged. Rather than content herself with the Morlands' moderate wealth, Isabella tries to charm Frederick Tilney, only to lose both gentlemen--James because he is disgusted by her behavior, and Frederick because he was never interested in her. What happens to the Thorpes after the Morlands break with them is unknown.