Northanger Abbey Analysis

1135 Words5 Pages
Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey is a Bildungsroman, a coming of age story that focuses on the psychological development of the protagonist, Catherine Morland. This essay will analyse the language and narrative techniques of the extract, and discuss how this excerpt suggests vicissitudes in Catherine’s personal perspectives and relationships. In addition, it will discuss the ‘domestic gothic’ and abuse ubiquitous in ordinary situations. Furthermore, it will argue how Austen’s rhetorical techniques work to encourage reader interest as well as exercising perception when distinguishing between appearance and reality. Finally, it will conclude by briefly discussing the significance of the extract within the novel’s wider themes. Austen intertextually…show more content…
Essentially, by writing in this style, Austen emphasises the ordinariness, patriarchal abuse, and general oppression of women that was present then in everyday domestic life (Realisms, p. 59). The narrative style and techniques were key elements Austen used to modify public perception of the novel’s expectations which ultimately conveys the concept of ‘reading’ itself, whilst also defining the novel as a genre. Principally, by writing in this style, Austen increases the reader’s interest, defining Northanger Abbey, as not only an ironic disclosure of satire, but a sophisticated novel on social education. Characterisation and imagery is ubiquitous in the novel. Austen paints a believable picture of the protagonist Catherine, who is an ordinary, gullible, naïve young girl, and not the typical axiomatic gothic heroine. Stereotypically, Catherine’s mistaken impressions, are clouded by Gothic sentiment as she becomes absorbed with the metonymical language and melodramatic events of these fantasised novels. Thus, Catherine finds it difficult to differentiate between the fictitious world and reality, and concocts a skewered version of realism, infusing real people, and events with terrible…show more content…
It also exposes his controlling obsession with timekeeping, ‘Tomorrow morning is fixed for your leaving us, and not even the hour is left to your choice, the very carriage is ordered, and will be here at seven o’clock.’(Austen, 2008, pp.164–167) The important crux of the novel is Catherine’s awakening not only to her own naivety, but to the oppression under which Eleanor lives, as fantasy, gives way to cruelty, as Eleanor states; ‘After courting you from the protection of real friends to this – almost double distance from your home, to have you driven out of the house, without the considerations even of decent civility…..’ (Austen, 2008, pp.164–167) Ultimately, the General’s disregard for Catherine’s safety, and welfare,’ especially on a Sunday and to a clergyman’s daughter with no money’ (AA316, CD2,) acts as an epiphany for Austen’s Bildungsroman as Catherine comes of age, and she contextualises the General’s totalitarianism, which she now understands is cruel, and
Show More
Related

  • Northanger Abbey Character Analysis

    1694 Words  | 7 Pages

    must uphold high standards with strong morals as well as pureness in both body and mind. Jane Austen depicts the main characters of her novels as being strong individuals in the midst of these societal standards. These significant morals in Northanger Abbey, influence the characters, such as Catherine and Isabella, in how they make their decisions. Additionally, the main character Catherine Morland, a young lady, learns the ways of presenting herself in the best light possible. Plots of deception

    Read More

  • Catherine: Henry's Function In Northanger Abbey

    646 Words  | 3 Pages

    When Henry met Catherine: Henry’s Function in the Plot of Northanger abbey and How it Influences Catherine her Naivety In Jane Austen’s Northanger abbey, Henry Tilney plays the role of the antagonist the exposition and complication of the plot. However, his function changes in the role of an important supportive character. He helps Catherine Morland to overcome her naivety. This paper will analyse the diverse roles Henry plays at different moments in the plot, and how these roles influence Catherine

    Read More

  • Literary Devices In Northanger Abbey

    615 Words  | 3 Pages

    Although described as being plain, awkward, and occasionally stupid Catherine Morland, the main character in Northanger Abbey, will later become a heroine when she gets older. The author, Jane Austen, tells a story of a young Catherine who doesn’t resemble any of the characteristics of what heroines are thought to be, she lacks in artistic and academic ability, she doesn’t have a good family background, and she is not very good looking. Throughout the story Jane Austen uses literary devices such

    Read More

  • Northanger Abbey Research Paper

    522 Words  | 3 Pages

    readers understand the characters and their context. Northanger Abbey is no exception. Austen’s first novel depicts a young women named Catherine who is captivated by the world of Gothic novels, so much so that she creates her own reality that reflects her beloved novels. In these depictions she turns her daily life into haunting tales of deceit, terror and debauchery. Perhaps her most ridiculous fantasy is that of Northanger Abbey itself, Northanger symbolizes mystery, discovery and disappointment.

    Read More

More about Northanger Abbey Analysis

Open Document