Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen - Book Report/Review Example

Northanger abbey by Jane Austen Introduction Northanger Abbey is the of the first novel by Jane Austen. However, her previous writings were Pride and Prejudice and sense and sensibility, but she did not publish them. In reference to Cassandra Austen’s, the author wrote the book between 1798 and 1799. Austen later revised the book in 1803 and made sales all through London at a cost of £10; the editor later sold the new product to the author’s brother in 1817. At this time, Austen had over four well selling novels. The author’s brother later edited the novel and brought it to the market once again. This was the time when the book attained the new title (Austen 8). Plot summary Northanger Abbey follows in a family setting, with a company of some family friends. The main characters are Catherine, Mr. Allen’s family, among others. The novel begins when Catherine makes her first visit. She gets a chance to meet new friends such as Isabella, who give her an admirable company. Catherine gets persuasions from Isabella’s elder brother; a young man who is highly rough-mannered. She also meets other friends such as Eleanor Tilney, who is a younger sister to Henry. Henry is encompassed with knowledge in politics and History. The novel flows with the above being the foremost character among others. Plot summary Catherine Morland, a seventeen-year-old, hails from the family of ten of a country clergyman. She is a tomboy by nature but mere fond of reading novels. Mostly, she reads the Gothic novel, Mysteries of Udolpho written by Ann Radcliffe being her favorite. One day, the Allens; her wealthy neighbors living in Fullerton, invite her to accompany them to the town of Bath. The aim of their visit is to participate in the social delights, theatre and the winter season of balls. Initially, Catherine did not get excited due to lack of friends; eventually, she gets to know a young, ingenious gentleman known as Henry Tilney. They happily converse and dance together until Mr. Tilney disappears and Catherine does not see him again. Her attention is now drawn to the scenario where Mrs. Allen comes to an encounter with Mrs. Thorpe who is her old school friend. Mrs. Thorpe’s son is a friend of James, Catherine’s older brother. It is during this occurrence that Isabella, Thorpe’s eldest daughter becomes Catherine’s friend. Isabella is a flirtatious, vivacious young woman (Austen 12). In no time, Isabella’s brother John and James Catherine’s brother reach at Bath. As Catherine and John are socializing, John: crude and vain young gentlemen become acquainted with Isabella. John narrates to Isabella fantastical stories pertaining himself. After some time, Mr. Tilney and his younger sister Eleanor Tilney return to Bath. Eleanor is a respectable, sweet and elegant young lady. Their father is also in their company, and Catherine gets to meet him. The mans name is General Tilney. Catherine’s friendship with the Tilney’s does not appease the Thorpe’s. They see Henry as a rival for Catherine’s love. John Thorpe unendingly tries to destroy Catherine’s relationship with Tilneys, but she works hard to maintain both relationships. Catherine finds herself in a weird state of presenting herself to the Tilneys; this is due to misunderstandings that leave her upset. Isabella is engaged to James. The match gets approval from Mr. Morland who in turn offers them a parson’s living which they will have in two years, it is valuable a modest sum. This means that it will take those two years to marry. Having thought that the Morlands are wealthy, Isabella is entirely dissatisfied. However, she continues to pretend to Catherine that it is a mere dissatisfaction, and it is worth the long wait. As James goes to buy her a ring, Isabella begins flirting Henry’s older brother, Captain Tilney. Catherine hardly understands Isabella’s behavior but Henry, who knows his brothers’ behavior captures a picture of the proceedings. This continues even after James arrival causing him distress and embarrassment. Catherine is invited by the Tilneys to stay at their home, Northanger Abbey. In accordance to Catherine’s novel reading, her expectations for Abbey are that it is frightening and exotic. In the contrary, Northanger Abbey turns out to be decidedly un-Gothic and pleasant. At the Tilnneys, there is a room that nobody goes into. Catherine also learns that Henry’s mother passed away nine years prior. According to Catherine she suggested that General Tilney might have imprisoned or even murdered her. This is because he no longer seemed affected by his wife’s death. Suddenly, General Tilney appears as Eleanor shows Catherine her mother’s room. This makes Catherine to flee in fear of being punished by Tilney. However, she returns to Mrs. Tilney’s room to continue with her investigations. Eventually, it comes to her knowledge that there was nothing fishy in that room. Unluckily, Henry finds her in the room as e s sing by the corridor. His enquiry on what Catherine is doing in his mother’s bedroom bears no fruits. All he finds out is Catherine’s suspicious thoughts; Henry defends his father terming him as a loving and caring husband who lost his wife. Once again novels led Catherine astray. This incidence helps Catherine realize that she has been foolish. She learns that the content in novels does not relate to everyday life though it is particularly delightful. With time, she gets over her actions with Henry’s help who instead of getting angry, he no longer mentions this to her. During her stay in Abbey, Catherine receives news from her brother James informing her that he is no longer engaged to Isabella. This is due to her flirtations with Captain Tilney. General Tilney leaves for London as a result of his absence Catherine, and Eleanor spend enjoyable days. It is the General’s return that forces Catherine to go back home. She undertakes the 110km journey all alone (Austen 32). The life of Catherine is unhappy and listless. Her parent has no awareness of the internal struggles; she is trying to bring up her usual spirits, but with little effect. Two days after she got home, Henry paid a sudden unit and gave am explanation regarding the issue. Although Tilney had a dream of becoming over rich, therefore, the rights match for Henry. In the city of London, Tilney ran into the Thrope once again. At this time, he was angry because of her marriage proposal denial. Instead, she was in destitute. Enraged, Tilney went home to evict Catherine. On the other hand, Henry went to Northanger, after his father informed him of the situation (Austen and Fraiman 47). References to Other Works This book contains a substantial number of gothic works of literature. The most prominent one being The Italian, by Ann Radcliffe, and The Mysteries of Udolpho. The writer also satirizes Clermont which is a gothic novel written by Regina Maria Roche. This finally included among seven somewhat obscure, gothic writings termed as ‘Northern horrid novels’. Isabella Thorpe recommended these to Catherine Moorland (Austen 42). These lurid titles were assumption to other people to be Austen’s own invention. However, Michael Sadleir and Montague summers came to find out that they did exist and have since been republished. Jane Austen referred to Fanny Burney as the first of English novelist. In the work Northanger abbey, she refers to her novels, “And what are you reading madam? The young lady replied it was a novel while laying it in a momentary shame. Only writings in which the mighty powers of the mind displayed with the most extensive knowledge of human nature, the happiest demarcation of its varieties, the liveliest effusion of wit and humor communicated in the most woven language (Austen 65). Later on, a writer who knows not much about literature just stated the novel that he likes only is the monk. He terms the rest as stupid quoted, “I was thinking of that other stupid novel, written by a woman; they make such a hot deal about, she that married a French immigrant” he termed that to be the horridness of nonsense that one can ever imagine. He says it consists of the most unnatural stuff …this critique, the justness of which got away from on the unfortunate Catherine brought them to the footsteps of Mrs. Thorpe’s motel.” Literary Significance and Relationship The book Northanger abbey is fundamentally a parody of gothic fiction. Austen reverts the conventions of the eighteenth century works of literature on their heads, by making her heroin an undistinguished lady from middle –class family, making her fall in love with the hero before having any serious considerations about her. This exposes the hero’s romantic fears as baseless. Her biographer Claire Tomalin thinks that Austen may have started working on this book as family entertainment. It is more of a comic; compared to other of her works. It contains literary allusions that her forks and siblings have enjoyed. Northanger abbey brings out the differences between the real world and fantasy. It also questions who can be a trusted and honored friend or who might be a shallow untrue friend. This is one of her most light hearted novels (Austen and Fraiman 45). Austen addresses readers directly though in parts. This portrays itself at the break of chapter five. Here, she gives a lengthy opinion on the value of novels and contemporary public prejudice favoring newspaper and other drier historical works. Austen’s opinion on novels in relation to other literature works is brought out clearly in discussion; this contained the Thorpe’s sisters, Eleanor and Henry and by Catherine pursuing the library. Eleanor gives an upper hand to history books, and while Austen points out the clearly portrayed fiction in them through Catherine, Eleanor enjoys them for what they are composed of (Austen and Fraiman 45). How directly Austen addresses her readers, mostly at the end of the stories gives a distinguishing insight of her thought at that time. This is particularly relevant with her letters having been set to blazes by her sister after she lost her life. Works cited Austen, Jane. Northanger, Abbey: Easyread Super Large 24pt Edition. London: ReadHowYouWant.com, 2009. Austen, Jane and Fraiman, Susan. Northanger Abbey: Backgrounds, Criticism. USA: W.W. Norton, 2004. Read More