Who John Thorpe is
John Thorpe is loud, vain and eager to talk about himself. His boasts about horses and wealth give Catherine plenty to hear, but little reason to trust his judgment. He treats her as though she has already agreed to be his companion and audience.
What John Thorpe wants
John expects Catherine to give him her attention and join his plans. When she has arranged a walk with the Tilneys, he claims that they have already driven away. Catherine goes with the Thorpes, then sees the Tilneys and realizes that John has misled her.
John Thorpe and the others in the story
John is Isabella Thorpe's brother and a friend of Catherine's brother, James Morland, who studies at Oxford. These connections bring him into Catherine's company, where his demands compete with her plans to see Henry and Eleanor Tilney. As Catherine begins to refuse the Thorpes, his pressure helps reveal the difference between friendliness and consideration.
Questions
Who is John Thorpe in Northanger Abbey?
John Thorpe is Isabella's brother, a boastful young man Catherine meets during her visit to Bath.
How does John Thorpe treat Catherine Morland?
He expects her company and pushes his own plans, even misleading her about the Tilneys' movements.
Is John Thorpe friends with James Morland?
Yes, John is a friend of James Morland, Catherine's brother and a student at Oxford.