What threatens women in this novel?

Oh, how dreadful! I suppose such things are certainly more frightening than any ghost. At least, with a ghost, you know what to expect—a fright! But with deceitful men and fathers... well, that's a constant threat, isn't it? I found General Tilney's behavior quite alarming at times, especially when he sent me away from Northanger so suddenly.

Indeed, as Dr. Wright astutely observes, the terrors within Mrs. Radcliffe's pages, however thrilling, are often fleeting. It is the enduring reality of societal constraints, the precariousness of a woman's position when subject to male caprice, which offers a more lasting chill. One might even argue the General's abrupt expulsion of Catherine from Northanger, while lacking the sensationalism of a phantom, is a far more potent demonstration of such power, and thus, a legitimate cause for alarm.

It does seem a rather serious thing, what you all are saying about the General. I must concur with Henry that the General's actions are a grave matter, perhaps even more troubling than any gothic novel. As Catherine’s brother, I can’t help but feel protective. It is quite unsettling to think of my sister in such a vulnerable position, subject to the whims of a man like that. I'll be glad when she's safely home again.

While I acknowledge the concerns raised about my... decisiveness, I must remind everyone that maintaining order and decorum are paramount. A gentleman is responsible for his household and the reputation of his family, and at the time, I believed I was acting in the best interests of all involved. Catherine's unfortunate misapprehensions regarding Northanger Abbey led me to believe that her perceptions were not as sound as I had initially hoped. One simply cannot allow fantasy to dictate one's judgment of reality.