All 35 Uses of
oblige
in
Northanger Abbey
- For some time her young friend felt obliged to her for these wishes; but they were repeated so often, and proved so totally ineffectual, that Catherine grew tired at last, and would thank her no more.
Chpt 2 (definition 1)obliged = grateful or indebted
- They saw nothing of Mr. Allen; and after looking about them in vain for a more eligible situation, were obliged to sit down at the end of a table, at which a large party were already placed, without having anything to do there, or anybody to speak to, except each other.
Chpt 2 (definition 2)obliged = required (to do something)
- —she felt more obliged to the two young men for this simple praise than a true-quality heroine would have been for fifteen sonnets in celebration of her charms, and went to her chair in good humour with everybody, and perfectly satisfied with her share of public attention.
Chpt 2 (definition 1) *obliged = grateful or indebted
- The whole being explained, many obliging things were said by the Miss Thorpes of their wish of being better acquainted with her; of being considered as already friends, through the friendship of their brothers, etc., which Catherine heard with pleasure, and answered with all the pretty expressions she could command; and, as the first proof of amity, she was soon invited to accept an arm of the eldest Miss Thorpe, and take a turn with her about the room.
Chpt 4 (definition 3)obliging = helpful or willing to be helpful
- How much I am obliged to you; and when you have finished Udolpho, we will read the Italian together; and I have made out a list of ten or twelve more of the same kind for you.
Chpt 6 (definition 1)obliged = grateful or indebted
- A pre-engagement in Edgar's Buildings prevented his accepting the invitation of one friend, and obliged him to hurry away as soon as he had satisfied the demands of the other.
Chpt 7 (definition 2)obliged = required (to do something)
- And I hope, madam, that Mr. Allen will be obliged to like the place, from finding it of service to him.
Chpt 8 (definition 2)
- Mrs. Hughes could not have applied to any creature in the room more happy to oblige her than Catherine.
Chpt 8 (definition 3) *oblige = grant a favor
- Oh, no; I am much obliged to you, our two dances are over; and, besides, I am tired, and do not mean to dance any more.
Chpt 8 (definition 1)obliged = grateful or indebted
- …for Mrs. Allen, not being at all in the habit of conveying any expression herself by a look, was not aware of its being ever intended by anybody else; and Catherine, whose desire of seeing Miss Tilney again could at that moment bear a short delay in favour of a drive, and who thought there could be no impropriety in her going with Mr. Thorpe, as Isabella was going at the same time with James, was therefore obliged to speak plainer.
Chpt 9 (definition 2)obliged = required (to do something)
- Her own feelings entirely engrossed her; her wretchedness was most acute on finding herself obliged to go directly home.
Chpt 9 (definition 2)
- But Mr. Thorpe only laughed, smacked his whip, encouraged his horse, made odd noises, and drove on; and Catherine, angry and vexed as she was, having no power of getting away, was obliged to give up the point and submit.
Chpt 11 (definition 2)
- To Milsom Street she was directed, and having made herself perfect in the number, hastened away with eager steps and a beating heart to pay her visit, explain her conduct, and be forgiven; tripping lightly through the church-yard, and resolutely turning away her eyes, that she might not be obliged to see her beloved Isabella and her dear family, who, she had reason to believe, were in a shop hard by.
Chpt 12 (definition 2)
- Her assurance, however, standing sole as it did, was not thrown away; it brought a more cordial, more natural smile into his countenance, and he replied in a tone which retained only a little affected reserve: "We were much obliged to you at any rate for wishing us a pleasant walk after our passing you in Argyle Street: you were so kind as to look back on purpose."
Chpt 12 (definition 1)obliged = grateful or indebted
- The sacrifice is not much; and to oblige such a friend—I shall think you quite unkind, if you still refuse.
Chpt 13 (definition 3)oblige = grant a favor
- Catherine was greatly obliged; but it was quite out of her power.†
Chpt 13 (definition 2)
- "Yes," added Miss Tilney, "and I remember that you undertook to read it aloud to me, and that when I was called away for only five minutes to answer a note, instead of waiting for me, you took the volume into the Hermitage Walk, and I was obliged to stay till you had finished it."
Chpt 14 (definition 2)obliged = required (to do something)
- Can you, in short, be prevailed on to quit this scene of public triumph and oblige your friend Eleanor with your company in Gloucestershire?
Chpt 17 (definition 3)oblige = grant a favor
- I do not think anything would justify me in wishing you to sacrifice all your happiness merely to oblige my brother, because he is my brother, and who perhaps after all, you know, might be just as happy without you, for people seldom know what they would be at, young men especially, they are so amazingly changeable and inconstant.
Chpt 18 (definition 3)
- We shall not have to explore our way into a hall dimly lighted by the expiring embers of a wood fire—nor be obliged to spread our beds on the floor of a room without windows, doors, or furniture.
Chpt 20 (definition 2)obliged = required (to do something)
- But Henry was too much amused by the interest he had raised to be able to carry it farther; he could no longer command solemnity either of subject or voice, and was obliged to entreat her to use her own fancy in the perusal of Matilda's woes.
Chpt 20 (definition 2)
- Her heart instantaneously at ease on this point, she resolved to lose no time in particular examination of anything, as she greatly dreaded disobliging the general by any delay.†
Chpt 21 (definition 3)
- "How much better is this," said she, as she walked to the fender—"how much better to find a fire ready lit, than to have to wait shivering in the cold till all the family are in bed, as so many poor girls have been obliged to do, and then to have a faithful old servant frightening one by coming in with a faggot!"
Chpt 21 (definition 2)obliged = required (to do something)
- She had just settled this point when the end of the path brought them directly upon the general; and in spite of all her virtuous indignation, she found herself again obliged to walk with him, listen to him, and even to smile when he smiled.
Chpt 22 (definition 2)
- Eleanor was ready to oblige her; and Catherine reminding her as they went of another promise, their first visit in consequence was to the portrait in her bed-chamber.
Chpt 24 (definition 3)oblige = grant a favor
- But here she was obliged to look and consider and study for a likeness.
Chpt 24 (definition 2)obliged = required (to do something)
- As soon as she dared leave the table she hurried away to her own room; but the housemaids were busy in it, and she was obliged to come down again.
Chpt 25 (definition 2)
- I must be at Woodston on Monday to attend the parish meeting, and shall probably be obliged to stay two or three days.
Chpt 26 (definition 2) *obliged = required (obligated)
- He went; and, it being at any time a much simpler operation to Catherine to doubt her own judgment than Henry's, she was very soon obliged to give him credit for being right, however disagreeable to her his going.
Chpt 26 (definition 2)obliged = required (to do something)
- Soon after this, the general found himself obliged to go to London for a week; and he left Northanger earnestly regretting that any necessity should rob him even for an hour of Miss Morland's company, and anxiously recommending the study of her comfort and amusement to his children as their chief object in his absence.
Chpt 28 (definition 2)
- Henry was not able to obey his father's injunction of remaining wholly at Northanger in attendance on the ladies, during his absence in London, the engagements of his curate at Woodston obliging him to leave them on Saturday for a couple of nights.
Chpt 28 (definition 2)obliging = requiring (obligating) to do something
- Catherine, supposing some uneasiness on Captain Tilney's account, could only express her concern by silent attention, obliged her to be seated, rubbed her temples with lavender-water, and hung over her with affectionate solicitude.
Chpt 28 (definition 2)obliged = required (to do something)
- You are too good, I am sure, to think the worse of me for the part I am obliged to perform.
Chpt 28 (definition 2)
- The manner in which it was done so grossly uncivil, hurrying her away without any reference to her own convenience, or allowing her even the appearance of choice as to the time or mode of her travelling; of two days, the earliest fixed on, and of that almost the earliest hour, as if resolved to have her gone before he was stirring in the morning, that he might not be obliged even to see her.
Chpt 28 (definition 2)
- He blushed for the narrow-minded counsel which he was obliged to expose.
Chpt 30 (definition 2)
Definitions:
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(1) (obliged as in: I'm much obliged for your kindness) grateful or indebted
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(2) (oblige as in: I am obliged by law.) require (obligate) to do something
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(3) (oblige as in: I obliged her every request.) grant a favor to someone