Catherine’s friendship with Isabella negatively develops across the course of the novel. When Catherine first arrives in Bath, she is not acquainted with anyone and feels lonely. Realizing that their brothers are friends, Catherine quickly bonds with Isabella. They have many common interests. Their older brothers visit and Catherine’s older brother falls in love with Isabella. Catherine is excited for them. Isabella tries to pressure Catherine into avoiding the Tilneys to follow her on an excursion with their brothers. She is angry when Catherine refuses. The friends are excited when Isabella and James get engaged. Isabella begins flirting with the handsome and wealthy Captain Tilney, which worries Catherine. On John’s behalf, Isabella tries to convince Catherine to marry him. Catherine refuses and their friendship becomes strained. When Catherine leaves Bath, Isabella …show more content…
When she finally writes, she begs Catherine to intervene on her behalf with James, who called off their engagement after her flirtations with Captain Tilney. Catherine refuses to write back to Isabella and their friendship is over. There were many turning points in their relationship, changing it from one of close friendship to one of anger. One example would be “But that she must and should retract was instantly the eager cry of both the Thorpes; they must go to Clifton tomorrow, they would not go without her, it would be nothing to put off a mere walk for one day longer, and they would not hear of a refusal.” The quote suggests that Isabella tried to force Catherine to join her and their brothers to a party when she would rather enjoy a walk with the Tilneys Catherine was disappointed that Isabella wanted her to