Northanger Abbey
Chapter Summaries
Chapters 1/2/3
In the first chapter we are introduced to the protagonist of the novel, Seventeen years old, Catherine Morland. Catherine has grown up in a family of little but modest wealth in the rural town Fullerton in Hampshire, England. As a young girl, we are told, that she is not what we expect a Gothic heroine to be like. It is very obvious in the first chapter that Jane Austen is mocking the Gothic tropes and mocking what a female heroine should look and act like. However when Catherine becomes a teenager she began to grow more beautiful, and eventually she turned from her athletic pursuits, such as cricket and horseback riding, to reading books. We are introduced to the Allen's, a wealthy, childless couple who are friends of the Morlands who offer to take Catherine with them on a trip to the resort town of Bath. In this first chapter the reader automatically understand that this book is a parody of the Gothic tropes.
Catherine gets ready to leave for Bath. Catherine's mother, defying convention, is not overly worried about her daughter. The narrator describes Mrs. Allen, saying she has "neither beauty, genius, accomplishment, nor manner," but a quiet, good-tempered nature that helped her attract a "sensible, intelligent man" like Mr. Allen. once the three arrive in Bath, they attend a ball. Catherine remains close to Mrs. Allen, who constantly says there is a lack acquaintances in Bath.. Catherine hopes in vain to be asked to dance. The ball ends without Catherine having been asked to dance, but she is pleased to hear two men say she is pretty before she leaves.
Catherine and Mrs. Allen attend the Lower Rooms. The master of ceremonies introduces her to a young man named Henry Tilney, Henry and Catherine flirt with one another. Henry turns his wit on Mrs. Allen's obsession with clothing, describing how he bought muslin at a good price for his sister Eleanor. Henry and Catherine dance a second time, then part. Catherine goes to bed thinking of Henry, and the narrator warns us (ironically) that Catherine has committed a grave mistake—she has fallen in love with a man before she knows he is in love with her. Mr. Allen has briefly checked into Henry's background, and found him to be a clergyman of respectable family in Gloucestershire.
Catherine gets ready to leave for Bath. Catherine's mother, defying convention, is not overly worried about her daughter. The narrator describes Mrs. Allen, saying she has "neither beauty, genius, accomplishment, nor manner," but a quiet, good-tempered nature that helped her attract a "sensible, intelligent man" like Mr. Allen. once the three arrive in Bath, they attend a ball. Catherine remains close to Mrs. Allen, who constantly says there is a lack acquaintances in Bath.. Catherine hopes in vain to be asked to dance. The ball ends without Catherine having been asked to dance, but she is pleased to hear two men say she is pretty before she leaves.
Catherine and Mrs. Allen attend the Lower Rooms. The master of ceremonies introduces her to a young man named Henry Tilney, Henry and Catherine flirt with one another. Henry turns his wit on Mrs. Allen's obsession with clothing, describing how he bought muslin at a good price for his sister Eleanor. Henry and Catherine dance a second time, then part. Catherine goes to bed thinking of Henry, and the narrator warns us (ironically) that Catherine has committed a grave mistake—she has fallen in love with a man before she knows he is in love with her. Mr. Allen has briefly checked into Henry's background, and found him to be a clergyman of respectable family in Gloucestershire.
Chapter 4/5/6/7
The next day Catherine for Henry, but she does not see him again. A woman, Mrs. Thorpe, recognizes Mrs. Allen, and it turns out they are former schoolmates. Both women are relieved to find an acquaintance and they immediately begin talking, Mrs. Thorpe has the advantage of children to talk about, while Mrs. Allen is wealthier than Mrs. Thorpe. Mrs. Thorpe introduces Mrs. Allen and Catherine to her three daughters. Isabella (eldest daughter) tells Catherine about Bath society, discussing fashion, flirtations, and the attractiveness of young men and women. The chapter ends with the narrator telling us that Mrs. Thorpe was a widow of only very modest
The narrator mentions that the women occasionally spend their time reading novels. The narrator then gives a long defense of novel-reading. The narrator suggests that the reader ignore the groans of reviewers and support her heroine in her love of novels. If the heroine of a novel spurns novels (as the heroines of some other British novelists have), who will support them?
Catherine and Isabella have arranged to meet one morning, and Catherine arrives late. She has been up all night reading the Gothic novel The Mysteries of Udolpho, which Isabella had recommended to her. Catherine tells Isabella how much she enjoys the novel. Isabella notices Miss Andrews, she makes a point of informing Catherine that she considers Miss Andrews to be one of the loveliest girls she has ever met, Isabella tells Catherine she would make the same claim if anyone said anything negative about her.
Isabella hints that she would be attracted to a man of fair complexion and light eyes. Isabella notices two men eyeing the girls, and complains to Catherine about this scandalous behavior. The two men leave, and Isabella suggests they go for a walk. When Catherine points out that this walk would cause them to overtake the two men, Isabella sniffs that she wouldn't give them the satisfaction. They are surprised to see their brothers, James Morland and John Thorpe, coming down the street in a carriage. James says hello to Isabella - he seems to be interested in her. John tries to show off to Catherine by bragging about his horse. John offers to take Catherine for rides in his carriage but, she is uncertain whether it is proper. John does not like novels, which makes Catherine feel ashamed of herself for reading them.
The narrator mentions that the women occasionally spend their time reading novels. The narrator then gives a long defense of novel-reading. The narrator suggests that the reader ignore the groans of reviewers and support her heroine in her love of novels. If the heroine of a novel spurns novels (as the heroines of some other British novelists have), who will support them?
Catherine and Isabella have arranged to meet one morning, and Catherine arrives late. She has been up all night reading the Gothic novel The Mysteries of Udolpho, which Isabella had recommended to her. Catherine tells Isabella how much she enjoys the novel. Isabella notices Miss Andrews, she makes a point of informing Catherine that she considers Miss Andrews to be one of the loveliest girls she has ever met, Isabella tells Catherine she would make the same claim if anyone said anything negative about her.
Isabella hints that she would be attracted to a man of fair complexion and light eyes. Isabella notices two men eyeing the girls, and complains to Catherine about this scandalous behavior. The two men leave, and Isabella suggests they go for a walk. When Catherine points out that this walk would cause them to overtake the two men, Isabella sniffs that she wouldn't give them the satisfaction. They are surprised to see their brothers, James Morland and John Thorpe, coming down the street in a carriage. James says hello to Isabella - he seems to be interested in her. John tries to show off to Catherine by bragging about his horse. John offers to take Catherine for rides in his carriage but, she is uncertain whether it is proper. John does not like novels, which makes Catherine feel ashamed of herself for reading them.
chapter 8, 9, 10
Catherine arrives at the ball with John, James, and Isabella. John runs off to the card room leaving Catherine . She is still waiting for him when Henry Tilney appears, this time with his sister, Eleanor Tilney. Henry asks Catherine to dance, but to her disappointment, she is forced to refuse him because of her prior arrangement with John Thorpe. During the dance, Catherine is introduced to Eleanor. After the dance John wanders off while Catherine points out Eleanor to Isabella, and tries to find Henry too. Isabella acts interested, but quickly abandons her friend to flirt with James. James pressures Isabella into a second dance, despite her protests at the "scandal" of it.
Catherine wakes with the intention of becoming better acquainted with Eleanor Tilney. John Thorpe arrives at the Allens' with his sister Isabella and Catherine's brother James. The trio pressure Catherine into joining them for a carriage ride. During the carriage ride, Catherine attempts to divert John's self- interested monologue, but always fails. She is particularly perplexed by his tendency to exaggerate. The group returns to the Allens', and Isabella protests that their trip could not have been three hours long because the time flew by so pleasantly. Catherine speaks to Mrs. Allen and discovers that Henry's father (General Tilney) is in town.
Catherine, James, the Allens, and the Thorpes go to the theater. The next day, Catherine heads to the Pump-room, with the intention of finding Eleanor Tilney and becoming better acquainted with her. She spends some time with James and Isabella but gets sick of their whispering, giggling talk. Catherine finally gets her desired meeting with Eleanor. The two seem to be more similar than Catherine and Isabella are. Catherine praises Henry's dancing skills, asks who he had been dancing with the previous night, and even asks if Eleanor thought Henry's dancing partner was pretty. Eleanor is aware that Catherine likes Henry.
The following night, Catherine prepares for the ball, hoping to meet Henry there. Henry suggests to Catherine that dancing is like a brief marriage, with a set of responsibilities on both sides for the duration of the dance. Catherine does not entirely accept this theory, but she sees his point. Henry tells her not to be so enchanted with Bath, saying eventually she will tire of it. Before the dance ends, he points out his father, General Tilney. Henry and Eleanor arrange to meet Catherine for a walk the next day.
Catherine wakes with the intention of becoming better acquainted with Eleanor Tilney. John Thorpe arrives at the Allens' with his sister Isabella and Catherine's brother James. The trio pressure Catherine into joining them for a carriage ride. During the carriage ride, Catherine attempts to divert John's self- interested monologue, but always fails. She is particularly perplexed by his tendency to exaggerate. The group returns to the Allens', and Isabella protests that their trip could not have been three hours long because the time flew by so pleasantly. Catherine speaks to Mrs. Allen and discovers that Henry's father (General Tilney) is in town.
Catherine, James, the Allens, and the Thorpes go to the theater. The next day, Catherine heads to the Pump-room, with the intention of finding Eleanor Tilney and becoming better acquainted with her. She spends some time with James and Isabella but gets sick of their whispering, giggling talk. Catherine finally gets her desired meeting with Eleanor. The two seem to be more similar than Catherine and Isabella are. Catherine praises Henry's dancing skills, asks who he had been dancing with the previous night, and even asks if Eleanor thought Henry's dancing partner was pretty. Eleanor is aware that Catherine likes Henry.
The following night, Catherine prepares for the ball, hoping to meet Henry there. Henry suggests to Catherine that dancing is like a brief marriage, with a set of responsibilities on both sides for the duration of the dance. Catherine does not entirely accept this theory, but she sees his point. Henry tells her not to be so enchanted with Bath, saying eventually she will tire of it. Before the dance ends, he points out his father, General Tilney. Henry and Eleanor arrange to meet Catherine for a walk the next day.
Chapter 11, 12, 13
Its raining (what about the walk?) John Thorpe, Isabella, and James show up at her door with a plan to visit Bristol (Blazie castle). Catherine refuses but John tells her he saw Henry Tilney driving away in a carriage earlier that morning. As they leave Bath, John points out a girl staring at Catherine, and Catherine sees Henry and Eleanor walking toward her house. She begs John to turn the cart around, but he refuses. . Isabella talks endlessly about how happy she is not to be at that night's ball, in a way that suggests she wishes she were there. Isabella offers Catherine little consolation for the Tilney incident. The narrator comparing Catherine's loss to the plight of a great heroine.
The next morning, Catherine goes to the place where the Tilneys are staying, planning to explain everything. The servant tells her that Eleanor is not at home, but as Catherine walks away she sees Eleanor exit with her father. Mortified, Catherine fears she has greatly offended the Tilneys. At the theater that night, Catherine spots Henry. After the play he makes his way to Catherine. Henry was somewhat offended by the incident, but when Catherine tells him that she begged John Thorpe to stop the carriage he forgives her. (They reschedule their plans) Catherine sees John Thorpe talking to General Tilney, Henry's father. After Henry leaves and John returns, John tells her that the General said she was the "finest girl in Bath." but she had feared that the General would not like her—Catherine quickly slips away from John with the Allen's.
John, James and Isabella have made plans to visit Clifton again. They come to collect Catherine, but she has already made plans to take a walk with Henry and Eleanor. John takes the initiative and, without Catherine's knowledge, tells Eleanor that Catherine cannot go for the walk. When John tells her this, Catherine is outraged and immediately leaves to join Henry and Eleanor and apologize for John's behaviour. There she meets General Tilney for the first time, and he is very gracious to her. Catherine spends some time talking to Eleanor and the General, and at the end of their conversation, the General invites Catherine to dine with them some day soon. Catherine returns to the Allen's'. Mr. Allen even advises Catherine not to go out with John Thorpe.
The next morning, Catherine goes to the place where the Tilneys are staying, planning to explain everything. The servant tells her that Eleanor is not at home, but as Catherine walks away she sees Eleanor exit with her father. Mortified, Catherine fears she has greatly offended the Tilneys. At the theater that night, Catherine spots Henry. After the play he makes his way to Catherine. Henry was somewhat offended by the incident, but when Catherine tells him that she begged John Thorpe to stop the carriage he forgives her. (They reschedule their plans) Catherine sees John Thorpe talking to General Tilney, Henry's father. After Henry leaves and John returns, John tells her that the General said she was the "finest girl in Bath." but she had feared that the General would not like her—Catherine quickly slips away from John with the Allen's.
John, James and Isabella have made plans to visit Clifton again. They come to collect Catherine, but she has already made plans to take a walk with Henry and Eleanor. John takes the initiative and, without Catherine's knowledge, tells Eleanor that Catherine cannot go for the walk. When John tells her this, Catherine is outraged and immediately leaves to join Henry and Eleanor and apologize for John's behaviour. There she meets General Tilney for the first time, and he is very gracious to her. Catherine spends some time talking to Eleanor and the General, and at the end of their conversation, the General invites Catherine to dine with them some day soon. Catherine returns to the Allen's'. Mr. Allen even advises Catherine not to go out with John Thorpe.
Chapter 14, 15, 16
Catherine goes on her walk with Henry and Eleanor. Catherine mentions novels, but suggests that Henry might not read them since they are not "clever enough" for gentlemen like him. Henry responds that those who have no pleasure in a novel must be "intolerably stupid." read. Catherine notes how much she prefers novels to history books. The Tinley's discuss the landscape in terms of drawing. Catherine knows none of the artistic terms, and is ashamed of her ignorance. The narrator defends Catherine by noting that many men are attracted to well-mannered women with an ignorant mind. Catherine notes that something "shocking will soon come out in London," referring to a new Gothic novel; but Eleanor mistakenly thinks Catherine means something like a riot. Henry makes light fun of the intelligence of women. Catherine discovers from one of Isabella's younger sisters that James, Isabella, and John went to Clifton anyway, with one of the other Thorpe sisters.
Catherine goes to Isabella's and discovers that her friend is engaged to James. Isabella praises James, and expresses her worries over his parents' consent to the marriage. Catherine assures her their consent is certain. Isabella expresses some doubt due to her relative poverty compared to James, for she has not yet realized that the Morlands are not that much richer than her own family. The next day a letter arrives from James telling of his parents' consent. John (leaving Bath) hints that he is interested in marrying Catherine, but she is unaware of his intentions.
Catherine has dinner with the Tilney. She is surprised by how little Henry speak. The General is so nice to her, she does not believe the constrained atmosphere is his fault. Isabella, upon hearing of the sour nature of the dinner meeting, claims that it was due to the Tilneys' pride. That day, Henry's older brother, Captain Frederick Tilney, arrives in Bath. Frederick flirts with Isabella, and agrees to dance with him. James writes that they could not marry for three years, at which point James would inherit a yearly living of about four hundred pounds. Isabella is disappointed. Mrs. Thorpe does notice Isabella's disappointment, and she tries to assure Isabella that it is a good living.
Catherine goes to Isabella's and discovers that her friend is engaged to James. Isabella praises James, and expresses her worries over his parents' consent to the marriage. Catherine assures her their consent is certain. Isabella expresses some doubt due to her relative poverty compared to James, for she has not yet realized that the Morlands are not that much richer than her own family. The next day a letter arrives from James telling of his parents' consent. John (leaving Bath) hints that he is interested in marrying Catherine, but she is unaware of his intentions.
Catherine has dinner with the Tilney. She is surprised by how little Henry speak. The General is so nice to her, she does not believe the constrained atmosphere is his fault. Isabella, upon hearing of the sour nature of the dinner meeting, claims that it was due to the Tilneys' pride. That day, Henry's older brother, Captain Frederick Tilney, arrives in Bath. Frederick flirts with Isabella, and agrees to dance with him. James writes that they could not marry for three years, at which point James would inherit a yearly living of about four hundred pounds. Isabella is disappointed. Mrs. Thorpe does notice Isabella's disappointment, and she tries to assure Isabella that it is a good living.
Chapter 17, 18, 19
Catherine is very upset when Eleanor tells her that her family will soon be leaving Bath, only to be deliriously happy when General Tilney invites her to join them at the Tilney home, Northanger Abbey. Catherine is excited by the idea of seeing a real abbey like the ones she has read about.
Isabella tells Catherine that she has received a letter from John, stating his intention to propose to Catherine. Catherine is quite shocked, and tells Isabella she does not love him. Frederick Tilney arrives and begins to flirt with Isabella, who flirts back. This bothers Catherine. She believes that Frederick is falling in love with Isabella, who is unconsciously encouraging him. Catherine does not think that Isabella is consciously encouraging him, because in her innocence she believes that Isabella would never cheat on James.
Catherine discovers that Isabella gives Tilney as much attention as she does James. James begins to suffer visibly, but Isabella seems to take no notice. Catherine becomes concerned for James, for Isabella, who is being scandalous by flirting with Frederick. Catherine asks Henry to convince Frederick to leave Isabella alone, but Henry refuses, suggesting that Isabella is aware of what she is doing. Henry consoles Catherine, reminding her of her confidence in her brother and Isabella's love and assuring her that Frederick will soon leave Bath.
Isabella tells Catherine that she has received a letter from John, stating his intention to propose to Catherine. Catherine is quite shocked, and tells Isabella she does not love him. Frederick Tilney arrives and begins to flirt with Isabella, who flirts back. This bothers Catherine. She believes that Frederick is falling in love with Isabella, who is unconsciously encouraging him. Catherine does not think that Isabella is consciously encouraging him, because in her innocence she believes that Isabella would never cheat on James.
Catherine discovers that Isabella gives Tilney as much attention as she does James. James begins to suffer visibly, but Isabella seems to take no notice. Catherine becomes concerned for James, for Isabella, who is being scandalous by flirting with Frederick. Catherine asks Henry to convince Frederick to leave Isabella alone, but Henry refuses, suggesting that Isabella is aware of what she is doing. Henry consoles Catherine, reminding her of her confidence in her brother and Isabella's love and assuring her that Frederick will soon leave Bath.
20, 21, 22
Catherine prepares to leave for Northanger Abbey with the Tinley's. She is troubled when the General harshly scolds his son Frederick. When Frederick whispers to his sister Eleanor that he will be glad when they have all left, Catherine thinks this is due to the General's tendency to be rude to his children. The party leaves with Catherine and Eleanor in one carriage, and the General and Henry in the other. After a brief stop, the General suggests that Catherine ride with Henry instead. Henry tells her that he does not actually live at Northanger Abbey, but in a house twenty miles away in the town of Woodston. Henry, amused, teases her, asking if she is prepared for the horrors she will meet there. They reach the Abbey, and it turns out to be modern.
Catherine discovers a large chest in one corner and, curious, opens it, only to find some of Eleanor's old hats. Eleanor arrives and hurries Catherine down to dinner, nervous about displeasing the General by being late. The General comments on the size of his dining parlour and notes that Catherine must be used to a larger one at the Allens. Catherine responds that Mr. Allen's parlour is not half the size of the General's, which pleases him. That night, a storms strikes the Abbey, causing creaks and groans that frighten Catherine. She discovers an odd cabinet. Catherine discovers a strange manuscript; in actual fact, Catherine discovers a pile of papers. Before she can read them, however, her candle goes out, and she hears the patter of footsteps.
Catherine wakes in the morning and checks the manuscript she discovered the previous night. She dresses and goes down to breakfast, meeting Henry there. They discuss flowers and other things until General Tilney comes in. Henry leaves for Woodston for a few days. The General shows Catherine around the Abbey (along with Eleanor). To Catherine's consternation, everything is modern. The General has even rebuilt an entire wing of the Abbey, making it new. On the way back into the Abbey, Eleanor decides to take Catherine on an alternate route through a gloomy path. Eleanor tells Catherine that she used to enjoy walking down the path with her mother, and Catherine asks many questions about the late Mrs. Tilney. Catherine quickly begins to grow suspicious of the General. He sends them inside and warns Eleanor not to show Catherine any more of the house until he returns, a command that interests Catherine.
Catherine discovers a large chest in one corner and, curious, opens it, only to find some of Eleanor's old hats. Eleanor arrives and hurries Catherine down to dinner, nervous about displeasing the General by being late. The General comments on the size of his dining parlour and notes that Catherine must be used to a larger one at the Allens. Catherine responds that Mr. Allen's parlour is not half the size of the General's, which pleases him. That night, a storms strikes the Abbey, causing creaks and groans that frighten Catherine. She discovers an odd cabinet. Catherine discovers a strange manuscript; in actual fact, Catherine discovers a pile of papers. Before she can read them, however, her candle goes out, and she hears the patter of footsteps.
Catherine wakes in the morning and checks the manuscript she discovered the previous night. She dresses and goes down to breakfast, meeting Henry there. They discuss flowers and other things until General Tilney comes in. Henry leaves for Woodston for a few days. The General shows Catherine around the Abbey (along with Eleanor). To Catherine's consternation, everything is modern. The General has even rebuilt an entire wing of the Abbey, making it new. On the way back into the Abbey, Eleanor decides to take Catherine on an alternate route through a gloomy path. Eleanor tells Catherine that she used to enjoy walking down the path with her mother, and Catherine asks many questions about the late Mrs. Tilney. Catherine quickly begins to grow suspicious of the General. He sends them inside and warns Eleanor not to show Catherine any more of the house until he returns, a command that interests Catherine.
Chapter 23, 24, 25
The General returns after an hour. Her imagination is running away with her, and she suspects the General of killing his own wife. The General shows Catherine around the rest of the house, except for one small area - Mrs Tinley's room. Catherine questions Eleanor about her mother, and discovers that she died suddenly of an illness while Eleanor was away. Catherine imagines that Mrs. Tilney is still alive, locked somewhere in the basement of the Abbey.
Catherine wants to see the old bedroom of the late Mrs. Tilney. The next day, when the General goes for one of his usual walks, Catherine sees her chance. She asks Eleanor to take her to the room, and Eleanor agrees. Just before they enter, the General appears and calls out to Eleanor. Catherine runs to her room in fright. Catherine sneaks out alone around four o'clock in the afternoon to Mrs. Tilney's old bedroom. There is nothing mysterious about it. She is caught by Henry, who has returned early. He tells her the true story. Both Frederick and Henry had been present during their mother's illness and death, and their mother's passing had indeed hurt General Tilney. Henry makes her cry.
Catherine blames the whole fiasco on the Gothic novels. Having reasoned herself back to the world of rational thinking, Catherine feels better, and her attitude improves as Henry acts more gallantly toward her than ever. Catherine receives a letter from her brother James, telling her that he and Isabella Thorpe are no longer engaged, and implying that Isabella is to be engaged to Frederick Tilney. Henry does not believe Frederick will marry Isabella until he reads the letter, and even after reading it. . He suggests that Isabella is only in it for the money. Catherine is hardly upset at losing her friend.
Catherine wants to see the old bedroom of the late Mrs. Tilney. The next day, when the General goes for one of his usual walks, Catherine sees her chance. She asks Eleanor to take her to the room, and Eleanor agrees. Just before they enter, the General appears and calls out to Eleanor. Catherine runs to her room in fright. Catherine sneaks out alone around four o'clock in the afternoon to Mrs. Tilney's old bedroom. There is nothing mysterious about it. She is caught by Henry, who has returned early. He tells her the true story. Both Frederick and Henry had been present during their mother's illness and death, and their mother's passing had indeed hurt General Tilney. Henry makes her cry.
Catherine blames the whole fiasco on the Gothic novels. Having reasoned herself back to the world of rational thinking, Catherine feels better, and her attitude improves as Henry acts more gallantly toward her than ever. Catherine receives a letter from her brother James, telling her that he and Isabella Thorpe are no longer engaged, and implying that Isabella is to be engaged to Frederick Tilney. Henry does not believe Frederick will marry Isabella until he reads the letter, and even after reading it. . He suggests that Isabella is only in it for the money. Catherine is hardly upset at losing her friend.
Chapter 26, 27, 28
The Tilney siblings are certain their father will not allow Frederick to marry Isabella because she is poor. This bothers Catherine, since her family is hardly wealthier than Isabella's. The General proposes that the group take a trip to visit Henry at his Woodston home. Henry goes home to prepare for their arrival. In Woodston, Catherine is charmed by the modest house, the pleasant meadows, and the apple orchard. The General makes so many hints about the possibility of Catherine marrying Henry that even Catherine cannot miss them.
Catherine receives a letter from Isabella, who says that Frederick Tilney abandoned Isabella to flirt with another girl. she's asks Catherine to write to James and help her get him back. Catherine angrily decides she will do no such thing. She is troubled about why Frederick Tilney acted as he did, and Henry suggests he just wanted to be mischievous. Henry points out that if she were truly concerned for her brother, she would be glad that he did not marry a person like Isabella.
Catherine has been at Northanger Abbey for a month. General Tilney has to go on a business trip for several days, leaving Catherine, Eleanor and Henry to do as they please. Henry must go to Woodston for a few days. One night, the General suddenly returns and calls Eleanor to him. When Eleanor returns to Catherine, she tells Catherine that the General has forgotten an engagement in Hereford, and the whole family must go there in two days' time. Therefore the General has arranged for Catherine to be taken home. Eleanor gives Catherine some money for her journey, and Catherine assures Eleanor that she will write. Catherine is sad she couldn't say bye to Henry.
Catherine receives a letter from Isabella, who says that Frederick Tilney abandoned Isabella to flirt with another girl. she's asks Catherine to write to James and help her get him back. Catherine angrily decides she will do no such thing. She is troubled about why Frederick Tilney acted as he did, and Henry suggests he just wanted to be mischievous. Henry points out that if she were truly concerned for her brother, she would be glad that he did not marry a person like Isabella.
Catherine has been at Northanger Abbey for a month. General Tilney has to go on a business trip for several days, leaving Catherine, Eleanor and Henry to do as they please. Henry must go to Woodston for a few days. One night, the General suddenly returns and calls Eleanor to him. When Eleanor returns to Catherine, she tells Catherine that the General has forgotten an engagement in Hereford, and the whole family must go there in two days' time. Therefore the General has arranged for Catherine to be taken home. Eleanor gives Catherine some money for her journey, and Catherine assures Eleanor that she will write. Catherine is sad she couldn't say bye to Henry.
Chapter 29, 30, 31
Catherine tries to figure out what offence she could have caused the General. She returns to Fullerton where she is welcomed by her family. She explains what has happened, and they are confused, but quiet their anger because Catherine asks to. Mrs. Morland has no idea what is upsetting her. She never imagines that her seventeen-year-old daughter, just back from her first trip, might have fallen for a man. Catherine and her mother visit Mrs. Allen, and Mrs. Morland keeps up a steady stream of advice to Catherine.
Henry arrives in Fullerton. Henry suggests that he pay a visit to the Allens, and Catherine joins him. On the walk to the Allens' house, he proposes to her, and she accepts. He explains that his father's bad behavior was due to John Thorpe. In Bath, when John thought Catherine loved him, he told General Tilney that Catherine was from a very wealthy family. The General then ran into John much later on his trip away from Northanger Abbey and he angrily told the General that the Morlands were almost poor. When Henry returned to Woodston and found out what happened, he had a big argument with his father.
Henry asks the Morlands for Catherine's hand in marriage. However, in order to be proper, they refuse to allow the marriage until the General has given his own consent. Henry and Catherine also want the General's consent. Fortunately, in a few months Eleanor becomes engaged and then married to a wealthy noble. This puts the General in a good mood, and when Eleanor and her husband ask the General to allow Henry's marriage, the General agrees.
Henry arrives in Fullerton. Henry suggests that he pay a visit to the Allens, and Catherine joins him. On the walk to the Allens' house, he proposes to her, and she accepts. He explains that his father's bad behavior was due to John Thorpe. In Bath, when John thought Catherine loved him, he told General Tilney that Catherine was from a very wealthy family. The General then ran into John much later on his trip away from Northanger Abbey and he angrily told the General that the Morlands were almost poor. When Henry returned to Woodston and found out what happened, he had a big argument with his father.
Henry asks the Morlands for Catherine's hand in marriage. However, in order to be proper, they refuse to allow the marriage until the General has given his own consent. Henry and Catherine also want the General's consent. Fortunately, in a few months Eleanor becomes engaged and then married to a wealthy noble. This puts the General in a good mood, and when Eleanor and her husband ask the General to allow Henry's marriage, the General agrees.
Chapter 3
Ballroom Etiquette
- Basic good manners and respect was expected.
- Criticizing a person about their clothing or appearance was considered to be extremely rude and insensitive.
- All gentlemen, including those married. are expected to look out for any single ladies who are not dancing, and get them involved with the dance.
- Ladies cannot be asked to dance with men, and they cannot dance with a man unless they have been properly introduced.
- Ladies must say yes to a dance unless they are sitting out from that dance or if they are already agreed to dance with another gentleman for that particular dance otherwise it would offend the gentleman who asked the lady and the host which was not socially acceptable - women couldn't refuse - they had no choice
- People who didn't get involved in the social event they were described as being a wallflower.
- No one danced with someone they didn't know.
- Couples can't dance more than 2 or 3 times, dances were a social event.
- You were able to tell someones' social class by their attire, speech and behavior.
Jane Austen defense of Novels
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Interaction between Henry Tilney and Catherine
- Lot of banter, witty interactions between them both.
- Flirting and teasing Catherine about her ignorance and naivety.
- Henry displays a lot of humorous arrogance and very ironic humor towards Eleanor and Catherine, and women in general - he is not misogynistic he only is taking the mickey, in fact he has a very good sense of humor and relationship with his sister,
Is Henry a conventional Gothic Hero?
- Mr Tilney is not a conventional hero as he is good-humored, fun, likes fashion and adores reading novels
- He is a very charming and optimistic person with a great personality – able to communicate with Catherine by being funny (witty remarks)
- He has good manners
- Henry is not where near dark and mysterious unlike typical Gothic Hero’s.
To what extent does Henry follow the conventions of the Ballroom?
- When Mr Tilney introduction begins by following the conventions of Ballroom etiquette as he is formally introduced to Catherine by the host and compliments her.
- Henry asks Catherine to dance but after the dance he sits down with Catherine to try to get to know her better therefore after this point it is clear that he does not follow the ballroom conventions as it was considered bad manners to not get involved with the rest of the company in the ballroom.
- Henry comes from the heart he doesn't care about the conventions
- This tells us that his character is more genuine and that he rather follow his heart and not social expectations.
John Thorpe introduction chapter - 7
Extract:
"Three and twenty!" cried Thorpe. "Five and twenty if it is an inch." Morland remonstrated, pleaded the authority of road-books, innkeepers, and milestones; but his friend disregarded them all; he had a surer test of distance. "I know it must be five and twenty," said he, "by the time we have been doing it. It is now half after one; we drove out of the inn-yard at Tetbury as the town clock struck eleven; and I defy any man in England to make my horse go less than ten miles an hour in harness; that makes it exactly twenty-five."
"You have lost an hour," said Morland; "it was only ten o'clock when we came from Tetbury."
"Ten o'clock! It was eleven, upon my soul! I counted every stroke. This brother of yours would persuade me out of my senses, Miss Morland; do but look at my horse; did you ever see an animal so made for speed in your life?" (The servant had just mounted the carriage and was driving off.) "Such true blood! Three hours and and a half indeed coming only three and twenty miles! Look at that creature, and suppose it possible if you can."
"He does look very hot, to be sure."
"Hot! He had not turned a hair till we came to Walcot Church; but look at his forehand; look at his loins; only see how he moves; that horse cannot go less than ten miles an hour: tie his legs and he will get on. What do you think of my gig, Miss Morland? A neat one, is not it? Well hung; town-built; I have not had it a month. It was built for a Christchurch man, a friend of mine, a very good sort of fellow; he ran it a few weeks, till, I believe, it was convenient to have done with it. I happened just then to be looking out for some light thing of the kind, though I had pretty well determined on a curricle too; but I chanced to meet him on Magdalen Bridge, as he was driving into Oxford, last term: 'Ah! Thorpe,' said he, 'do you happen to want such a little thing as this? It is a capital one of the kind, but I am cursed tired of it.' 'Oh! D—,' said I; 'I am your man; what do you ask?' And how much do you think he did, Miss Morland?"
"I am sure I cannot guess at all."
"Curricle-hung, you see; seat, trunk, sword-case, splashing-board, lamps, silver moulding, all you see complete; the iron-work as good as new, or better. He asked fifty guineas; I closed with him directly, threw down the money, and the carriage was mine."
"And I am sure," said Catherine, "I know so little of such things that I cannot judge whether it was cheap or dear."
"Neither one nor t'other; I might have got it for less, I dare say; but I hate haggling, and poor Freeman wanted cash."
"That was very good-natured of you," said Catherine, quite pleased.
"Oh! D—— it, when one has the means of doing a kind thing by a friend, I hate to be pitiful."
Extract 2
"I think you must like Udolpho, if you were to read it; it is so very interesting."
"Not I, faith! No, if I read any, it shall be Mrs. Radcliffe's; her novels are amusing enough; they are worth reading; some fun and nature in them."
"Udolpho was written by Mrs. Radcliffe," said Catherine, with some hesitation, from the fear of mortifying him.
"No sure; was it? Aye, I remember, so it was; I was thinking of that other stupid book, written by that woman they make such a fuss about, she who married the French emigrant."
"Three and twenty!" cried Thorpe. "Five and twenty if it is an inch." Morland remonstrated, pleaded the authority of road-books, innkeepers, and milestones; but his friend disregarded them all; he had a surer test of distance. "I know it must be five and twenty," said he, "by the time we have been doing it. It is now half after one; we drove out of the inn-yard at Tetbury as the town clock struck eleven; and I defy any man in England to make my horse go less than ten miles an hour in harness; that makes it exactly twenty-five."
"You have lost an hour," said Morland; "it was only ten o'clock when we came from Tetbury."
"Ten o'clock! It was eleven, upon my soul! I counted every stroke. This brother of yours would persuade me out of my senses, Miss Morland; do but look at my horse; did you ever see an animal so made for speed in your life?" (The servant had just mounted the carriage and was driving off.) "Such true blood! Three hours and and a half indeed coming only three and twenty miles! Look at that creature, and suppose it possible if you can."
"He does look very hot, to be sure."
"Hot! He had not turned a hair till we came to Walcot Church; but look at his forehand; look at his loins; only see how he moves; that horse cannot go less than ten miles an hour: tie his legs and he will get on. What do you think of my gig, Miss Morland? A neat one, is not it? Well hung; town-built; I have not had it a month. It was built for a Christchurch man, a friend of mine, a very good sort of fellow; he ran it a few weeks, till, I believe, it was convenient to have done with it. I happened just then to be looking out for some light thing of the kind, though I had pretty well determined on a curricle too; but I chanced to meet him on Magdalen Bridge, as he was driving into Oxford, last term: 'Ah! Thorpe,' said he, 'do you happen to want such a little thing as this? It is a capital one of the kind, but I am cursed tired of it.' 'Oh! D—,' said I; 'I am your man; what do you ask?' And how much do you think he did, Miss Morland?"
"I am sure I cannot guess at all."
"Curricle-hung, you see; seat, trunk, sword-case, splashing-board, lamps, silver moulding, all you see complete; the iron-work as good as new, or better. He asked fifty guineas; I closed with him directly, threw down the money, and the carriage was mine."
"And I am sure," said Catherine, "I know so little of such things that I cannot judge whether it was cheap or dear."
"Neither one nor t'other; I might have got it for less, I dare say; but I hate haggling, and poor Freeman wanted cash."
"That was very good-natured of you," said Catherine, quite pleased.
"Oh! D—— it, when one has the means of doing a kind thing by a friend, I hate to be pitiful."
Extract 2
"I think you must like Udolpho, if you were to read it; it is so very interesting."
"Not I, faith! No, if I read any, it shall be Mrs. Radcliffe's; her novels are amusing enough; they are worth reading; some fun and nature in them."
"Udolpho was written by Mrs. Radcliffe," said Catherine, with some hesitation, from the fear of mortifying him.
"No sure; was it? Aye, I remember, so it was; I was thinking of that other stupid book, written by that woman they make such a fuss about, she who married the French emigrant."
John Thorpe. Men and Books
- Austen criticises characters through their actions, including men.
- Austen presents the character of John Thorpe as particularly stupid which is evident when he ridicules novels and claims to like Ann Radcliffe's works.
- Austen uses the character of Mr Tilney to contrast and emphasise just how stupid Mr Thorpe is.
- She also does this by providing a comparison:
John Thorpe: 'Udolpho, oh Lord not I'
Henry Tilney: 'I myself have read hundreds and hundreds'
Parallel's and introductions chapter - 8
Extract:
Miss Tilney had a good figure, a pretty face, and a very agreeable countenance; and her air, though it had not all the decided pretension, the resolute stylishness of Miss Thorpe's, had more real elegance. Her manners showed good sense and good breeding; they were neither shy nor affectedly open; and she seemed capable of being young, attractive, and at a ball without wanting to fix the attention of every man near her, and without exaggerated feelings of ecstatic delight or inconceivable vexation on every little trifling occurrence. -Catherine, interested at once by her appearance and her relationship to Mr. Tilney, was desirous of being acquainted with her, and readily talked therefore whenever she could think of anything to say, and had courage and leisure for saying it. But the hindrance thrown in the way of a very speedy intimacy, by the frequent want of one or more of these requisites, prevented their doing more than going through the first rudiments of an acquaintance, by informing themselves how well the other liked Bath, how much she admired its buildings and surrounding country, whether she drew, or played, or sang, and whether she was fond of riding on horseback.
The two dances were scarcely concluded before Catherine found her arm gently seized by her faithful Isabella, who in great spirits exclaimed, "At last I have got you. My dearest creature, I have been looking for you this hour. What could induce you to come into this set, when you knew I was in the other? I have been quite wretched without you."
"My dear Isabella, how was it possible for me to get at you? I could not even see where you were."
"So I told your brother all the time—but he would not believe me. Do go and see for her, Mr. Morland, said I—but all in vain—he would not stir an inch. Was not it so, Mr. Morland? But you men are all so immoderately lazy! I have been scolding him to such a degree, my dear Catherine, you would be quite amazed. You know I never stand upon ceremony with such people."
"Look at that young lady with the white beads round her head," whispered Catherine, detaching her friend from James. "It is Mr. Tilney's sister."
"Oh! Heavens! You don't say so! Let me look at her this moment. What a delightful girl! I never saw anything half so beautiful! But where is her all-conquering brother? Is he in the room? Point him out to me this instant, if he is. I die to see him. Mr. Morland, you are not to listen. We are not talking about you."
Introductions of Isabella vs Eleanor - what do they readers learn?
Miss Tilney had a good figure, a pretty face, and a very agreeable countenance; and her air, though it had not all the decided pretension, the resolute stylishness of Miss Thorpe's, had more real elegance. Her manners showed good sense and good breeding; they were neither shy nor affectedly open; and she seemed capable of being young, attractive, and at a ball without wanting to fix the attention of every man near her, and without exaggerated feelings of ecstatic delight or inconceivable vexation on every little trifling occurrence. -Catherine, interested at once by her appearance and her relationship to Mr. Tilney, was desirous of being acquainted with her, and readily talked therefore whenever she could think of anything to say, and had courage and leisure for saying it. But the hindrance thrown in the way of a very speedy intimacy, by the frequent want of one or more of these requisites, prevented their doing more than going through the first rudiments of an acquaintance, by informing themselves how well the other liked Bath, how much she admired its buildings and surrounding country, whether she drew, or played, or sang, and whether she was fond of riding on horseback.
The two dances were scarcely concluded before Catherine found her arm gently seized by her faithful Isabella, who in great spirits exclaimed, "At last I have got you. My dearest creature, I have been looking for you this hour. What could induce you to come into this set, when you knew I was in the other? I have been quite wretched without you."
"My dear Isabella, how was it possible for me to get at you? I could not even see where you were."
"So I told your brother all the time—but he would not believe me. Do go and see for her, Mr. Morland, said I—but all in vain—he would not stir an inch. Was not it so, Mr. Morland? But you men are all so immoderately lazy! I have been scolding him to such a degree, my dear Catherine, you would be quite amazed. You know I never stand upon ceremony with such people."
"Look at that young lady with the white beads round her head," whispered Catherine, detaching her friend from James. "It is Mr. Tilney's sister."
"Oh! Heavens! You don't say so! Let me look at her this moment. What a delightful girl! I never saw anything half so beautiful! But where is her all-conquering brother? Is he in the room? Point him out to me this instant, if he is. I die to see him. Mr. Morland, you are not to listen. We are not talking about you."
Introductions of Isabella vs Eleanor - what do they readers learn?
- Isabella vs Eleanor is beauty vs goodness
- Isabella - "her eldest daughter has great personal beauty"
- Eleanor has more elegance and class.
- Isabelle is old and is looking for a marriage proposal
Marriage and Dancing chapter - 10
Extract:
Her partner now drew near, and said, "That gentleman would have put me out of patience, had he stayed with you half a minute longer. He has no business to withdraw the attention of my partner from me. We have entered into a contract of mutual agreeableness for the space of an evening, and all our agreeableness belongs solely to each other for that time. Nobody can fasten themselves on the notice of one, without injuring the rights of the other. I consider a country-dance as an emblem of marriage. Fidelity and complaisance are the principal duties of both; and those men who do not choose to dance or marry themselves, have no business with the partners or wives of their neighbours."
"But they are such very different things!"
"—That you think they cannot be compared together."
"To be sure not. People that marry can never part, but must go and keep house together. People that dance only stand opposite each other in a long room for half an hour."
"And such is your definition of matrimony and dancing. Taken in that light certainly, their resemblance is not striking; but I think I could place them in such a view. You will allow, that in both, man has the advantage of choice, woman only the power of refusal; that in both, it is an engagement between man and woman, formed for the advantage of each; and that when once entered into, they belong exclusively to each other till the moment of its dissolution; that it is their duty, each to endeavour to give the other no cause for wishing that he or she had bestowed themselves elsewhere, and their best interest to keep their own imaginations from wandering towards the perfections of their neighbours, or fancying that they should have been better off with anyone else. You will allow all this?"
"Yes, to be sure, as you state it, all this sounds very well; but still they are so very different. I cannot look upon them at all in the same light, nor think the same duties belong to them."
"In one respect, there certainly is a difference. In marriage, the man is supposed to provide for the support of the woman, the woman to make the home agreeable to the man; he is to purvey, and she is to smile. But in dancing, their duties are exactly changed; the agreeableness, the compliance are expected from him, while she furnishes the fan and the lavender water. That, I suppose, was the difference of duties which struck you, as rendering the conditions incapable of comparison.
Are Henry and Isabelle compatible?
Her partner now drew near, and said, "That gentleman would have put me out of patience, had he stayed with you half a minute longer. He has no business to withdraw the attention of my partner from me. We have entered into a contract of mutual agreeableness for the space of an evening, and all our agreeableness belongs solely to each other for that time. Nobody can fasten themselves on the notice of one, without injuring the rights of the other. I consider a country-dance as an emblem of marriage. Fidelity and complaisance are the principal duties of both; and those men who do not choose to dance or marry themselves, have no business with the partners or wives of their neighbours."
"But they are such very different things!"
"—That you think they cannot be compared together."
"To be sure not. People that marry can never part, but must go and keep house together. People that dance only stand opposite each other in a long room for half an hour."
"And such is your definition of matrimony and dancing. Taken in that light certainly, their resemblance is not striking; but I think I could place them in such a view. You will allow, that in both, man has the advantage of choice, woman only the power of refusal; that in both, it is an engagement between man and woman, formed for the advantage of each; and that when once entered into, they belong exclusively to each other till the moment of its dissolution; that it is their duty, each to endeavour to give the other no cause for wishing that he or she had bestowed themselves elsewhere, and their best interest to keep their own imaginations from wandering towards the perfections of their neighbours, or fancying that they should have been better off with anyone else. You will allow all this?"
"Yes, to be sure, as you state it, all this sounds very well; but still they are so very different. I cannot look upon them at all in the same light, nor think the same duties belong to them."
"In one respect, there certainly is a difference. In marriage, the man is supposed to provide for the support of the woman, the woman to make the home agreeable to the man; he is to purvey, and she is to smile. But in dancing, their duties are exactly changed; the agreeableness, the compliance are expected from him, while she furnishes the fan and the lavender water. That, I suppose, was the difference of duties which struck you, as rendering the conditions incapable of comparison.
Are Henry and Isabelle compatible?
What does Henry believe about love and marriage?
Henry believes dancing is similar to marriage in the sense that both carry similarly specific roles for men and women. He uses dancing as an analogy of commitment in marriage and as partners they are bound together and can't be separated.
What does Catherine believe about love and marriage?
Catherine takes Henry's opinion in a literal sense and completely disagrees. She believes marriage is a permanent bond and a dance is only a temporary situation. Marriage can not be compared to dance that would last only 30 mins rather marriage should be a lifetime commitment.
How do we know that Henry and Catherine are compatible?
Even though the two have opposing opinions, they are extremely flirtatious and still reply with witty comments. They both are able to respect and listen to each others opinions which makes them compatible as they can listen to one another
Henry believes dancing is similar to marriage in the sense that both carry similarly specific roles for men and women. He uses dancing as an analogy of commitment in marriage and as partners they are bound together and can't be separated.
What does Catherine believe about love and marriage?
Catherine takes Henry's opinion in a literal sense and completely disagrees. She believes marriage is a permanent bond and a dance is only a temporary situation. Marriage can not be compared to dance that would last only 30 mins rather marriage should be a lifetime commitment.
How do we know that Henry and Catherine are compatible?
Even though the two have opposing opinions, they are extremely flirtatious and still reply with witty comments. They both are able to respect and listen to each others opinions which makes them compatible as they can listen to one another
Propriety and impropriety
Extract:
“Going to? Why, you have not forgot our engagement! Did not we agree together to take a drive this morning? What a head you have! We are going up Claverton Down.”
“Something was said about it, I remember,” said Catherine, looking at Mrs. Allen for her opinion; “but really I did not expect you.”
“Not expect me! That’s a good one! And what a dust you would have made, if I had not come.”
Catherine’s silent appeal to her friend, meanwhile, was entirely thrown away, 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. “Well, ma’am, what do you say to it? Can you spare me for an hour or two? Shall I go?”
“Do just as you please, my dear,” replied Mrs. Allen, with the most placid indifference. Catherine took the advice, and ran off to get ready. In a very few minutes she reappeared, having scarcely allowed the two others time enough to get through a few short sentences in her praise, after Thorpe had procured Mrs. Allen’s admiration of his gig; and then receiving her friend’s parting good wishes, they both hurried downstairs. “My dearest creature,” cried Isabella, to whom the duty of friendship immediately called her before she could get into the carriage, “you have been at least three hours getting ready. I was afraid you were ill. What a delightful ball we had last night. I have a thousand things to say to you; but make haste and get in, for I long to be off.”
Conforming to accepted standards of socially acceptable behavior was known as propriety - being socially acceptable or not?
“Going to? Why, you have not forgot our engagement! Did not we agree together to take a drive this morning? What a head you have! We are going up Claverton Down.”
“Something was said about it, I remember,” said Catherine, looking at Mrs. Allen for her opinion; “but really I did not expect you.”
“Not expect me! That’s a good one! And what a dust you would have made, if I had not come.”
Catherine’s silent appeal to her friend, meanwhile, was entirely thrown away, 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. “Well, ma’am, what do you say to it? Can you spare me for an hour or two? Shall I go?”
“Do just as you please, my dear,” replied Mrs. Allen, with the most placid indifference. Catherine took the advice, and ran off to get ready. In a very few minutes she reappeared, having scarcely allowed the two others time enough to get through a few short sentences in her praise, after Thorpe had procured Mrs. Allen’s admiration of his gig; and then receiving her friend’s parting good wishes, they both hurried downstairs. “My dearest creature,” cried Isabella, to whom the duty of friendship immediately called her before she could get into the carriage, “you have been at least three hours getting ready. I was afraid you were ill. What a delightful ball we had last night. I have a thousand things to say to you; but make haste and get in, for I long to be off.”
Conforming to accepted standards of socially acceptable behavior was known as propriety - being socially acceptable or not?
- Dancing was an integral part in the 18th century life, it allowed single people to meet and have an extended conversation - provided the opportunity for courtship - dating.
- Strict rules had to be followed so that propriety remained
- Catherine is propriety due to the way she speaks and asks Mrs Allen about things and where to go.
- Mrs Allen is not propriety because she doesn't notice that Catherine is about to go off with another man.
Setting and Appearance - chapter 11
In this chapter Catherine has made plans to go out with the Tilneys, however, while waiting inside for the pouring rain to stop, Isabella, John and James tell her to go with them to Bristol. They say that they are going to 'Blaise Castle' (which is not a real castle) to visit all the towers and castles there. They persuade Catherine to join them. But, she feels guilty about leaving the Tilneys. When they all leave together, Catherine sees Henry and Eleanor going to Catherine's house, she asks John to stop, but he just goes faster.
Extract:
"You croaking fellow!" cried Thorpe. "We shall be able to do ten times more. Kingsweston! Aye, and Blaize Castle too, and anything else we can hear of; but here is your sister says she will not go."
"Blaize Castle!" cried Catherine. "What is that?"
"The finest place in England—worth going fifty miles at any time to see."
"What, is it really a castle, an old castle?"
"The oldest in the kingdom."
"But is it like what one reads of?"
"Exactly—the very same."
"But now really—are there towers and long galleries?"
"By dozens."
"Then I should like to see it; but I cannot—I cannot go."
"Not go! My beloved creature, what do you mean?"
"I cannot go, because"—looking down as she spoke, fearful of Isabella's smile—"I expect Miss Tilney and her brother to call on me to take a country walk. They promised to come at twelve, only it rained; but now, as it is so fine, I dare say they will be here soon."
"Not they indeed," cried Thorpe; "for, as we turned into Broad Street, I saw them—does he not drive a phaeton with bright chestnuts?"
"I do not know indeed."
"Yes, I know he does; I saw him. You are talking of the man you danced with last night, are not you?"
"Yes."
"Well, I saw him at that moment turn up the Lansdown Road, driving a smart-looking girl."
"Did you indeed?"
"Did upon my soul; knew him again directly, and he seemed to have got some very pretty cattle too."
"It is very odd! But I suppose they thought it would be too dirty for a walk."
From this chapter the readers understand that Catherine is:
- Gullible
- Trusting
- Naive
- Weak willed
- The Gothic Heroine
The readers also understand that John is:
- Rude
- Cunning
- A liar - Blaize Castle is folly
- Deceptive
- The Gothic Villain
Extract:
"Thorpe talked to his horse, and she meditated, by turns, on broken promises and broken arches, phaetons and false hangings, Tilneys and trap-doors."
- "Thorpe talked to his horse" - shows that John is self-centered, dumb and oblivious to what is going on.
- "broken promises" - the promise that Catherine made to the Tilneys.
- "broken arches" - the castle that she is going to visit.
- "phaetons" - the carriage that she is sitting in.
- "false hangings" - a secret passage way behind a tapestry.
- Austen uses a list of 3 and alliteration to drive the narrative forward.
In Gothic fiction, there is typically an abduction scene when the heroine is captured by the Gothic villain which Austen mocks by using John as the kidnapper:
- Using Dramatic Irony - we know that Blaize castle was built in 1766 and is not medieval, we also know that John lied about seeing Henry
- Taking the mick out of the heroine and villain.
- Catherine wasn't really kidnapped shes just falling into traps of her own.
How does Jane Austen mock the ideas of the Gothic?
Jane Austen mocks the ideas of the Gothic by showing the Heroine of the novel as extremely naive as she believes Blasie Castle to be a Gothic Castle. Catherine automatically believes John Thorpe's description of the Blaise Castle as she says, 'What is it really a castle, an old castle?'. Catherine lacks the Gothic tropes of being intelligent, inquisitive and skeptical and instead her reaction is similar to a child's, with extreme gullibility. Jane Austen takes the typical Gothic scene where the innocent heroine gets abducted by the villain, and turns it into a parody by not making it a real kidnap showing how the protagonist is falling into her own traps. Austen emphasises this as she repeats the word 'castle' to show Catherine's pure excitement and fixation upon a Castle, similar to those she reads about in her Gothic novels. Northanger Abbey is evidently a parody that mocks many Gothic elements.
Appearance - Chapter 12
Extract:
The man believed Miss Tilney to be at home, but was not quite certain. Would she be pleased to send up her name? She gave her card. In a few minutes the servant returned, and with a look which did not quite confirm his words, said he had been mistaken, for that Miss Tilney was walked out. Catherine, with a blush of mortification, left the house. She felt almost persuaded that Miss Tilney was at home, and too much offended to admit her; and as she retired down the street, could not withhold one glance at the drawing-room windows, in expectation of seeing her there, but no one appeared at them. At the bottom of the street, however, she looked back again, and then, not at a window, but issuing from the door, she saw Miss Tilney herself. She was followed by a gentleman, whom Catherine believed to be her father, and they turned up towards Edgar's Buildings. Catherine, in deep mortification, proceeded on her way. She could almost be angry herself at such angry incivility; but she checked the resentful sensation; she remembered her own ignorance. She knew not how such an offence as hers might be classed by the laws of worldly politeness, to what a degree of unforgivingness it might with propriety lead, nor to what rigours of rudeness in return it might justly make her amenable. Dejected and humbled, she had even some thoughts of not going with the others to the theatre that night; but it must be confessed that they were not of long continuance, for she soon recollected, in the first place, that she was without any excuse for staying at home; and, in the second, that it was a play she wanted very much to see.
In this chapter Catherine is ignored by Ms Tilney after John tricks her into going to Blaise Castle with himself James and Isabella. Catherine blames herself for the whole business though and decides that Eleanor is responding to Catherine's original rudeness.
What does this say about society at that time?
What does it say about the characters?
How does this drive the narrative forward?
How different would be the understanding of a 19th Century reader?
The man believed Miss Tilney to be at home, but was not quite certain. Would she be pleased to send up her name? She gave her card. In a few minutes the servant returned, and with a look which did not quite confirm his words, said he had been mistaken, for that Miss Tilney was walked out. Catherine, with a blush of mortification, left the house. She felt almost persuaded that Miss Tilney was at home, and too much offended to admit her; and as she retired down the street, could not withhold one glance at the drawing-room windows, in expectation of seeing her there, but no one appeared at them. At the bottom of the street, however, she looked back again, and then, not at a window, but issuing from the door, she saw Miss Tilney herself. She was followed by a gentleman, whom Catherine believed to be her father, and they turned up towards Edgar's Buildings. Catherine, in deep mortification, proceeded on her way. She could almost be angry herself at such angry incivility; but she checked the resentful sensation; she remembered her own ignorance. She knew not how such an offence as hers might be classed by the laws of worldly politeness, to what a degree of unforgivingness it might with propriety lead, nor to what rigours of rudeness in return it might justly make her amenable. Dejected and humbled, she had even some thoughts of not going with the others to the theatre that night; but it must be confessed that they were not of long continuance, for she soon recollected, in the first place, that she was without any excuse for staying at home; and, in the second, that it was a play she wanted very much to see.
In this chapter Catherine is ignored by Ms Tilney after John tricks her into going to Blaise Castle with himself James and Isabella. Catherine blames herself for the whole business though and decides that Eleanor is responding to Catherine's original rudeness.
What does this say about society at that time?
- Trust was extremely important and should not be lost
- There was evidently a social class, respected families were expected to have more respect and class.
- Families were extremely close and to disrespect one family member was to disrespect the family as a whole
- Promises were not taken lightly, if you made a promise you were expected to abide by it. Promises should not break as it breaks trust.
What does it say about the characters?
- The Tilney’s are a family of high social class and were respected by many
- Catherine is naive to some social standards, she is not within her comfort zone as the Tilney’s are of a much higher social class than herself
- Catherine is respectable and wants to apologise showing that she has manners
- Isabelle is going off with men on the carriage - Catherine is worried for her
How does this drive the narrative forward?
- This causes distress for Catherine, which makes her all the more eager to apologise & reconnect with the Tilney family, in particular Henry and Eleanor
- She doesnt want to go to the theatre but she wants to apologise to Henry
- Her motivation to sort out the misunderstanding provides the opportunity for the romance between Henry and Catherine to blossom
How different would be the understanding of a 19th Century reader?
- Modern day readers would understand that Catherine is young therefore will not feel as much empathy for her
- The Tilney’s reaction to Catherine would be seen as completely understandable, whereas modern day readers would think it’s slightly drastic and unfair as Catherine did not intentionally miss their arrangement.
- The trust between the families would remain as in modern day they are more likely to understand
Picturesque - Chapter 18
Picturesque is an aesthetic ideal introduced in 1782 by William Gilpin in 'Observation on the River Wye'.
- It's part of the tropes of Romanticism and the Gothic.
- It's about looking at the difference between the beautiful (soft, curves, womanly figure) and the sublime (awe, too much to comprehend).
- It's about emotion, and they discuss emotion, and how they felt when they are in awe.
Setting and Appearance - Chapter 20 & 21
Pandoras box
In classical Greek mythology, Pandora was the first woman on Earth. The gods endowed her with many gifts: Athena clothed her, Aphrodite gave her beauty, Apollo gave her musical ability, and Hermes gave her speech. When Prometheus stole fire from heaven, Zeus took vengeance by presenting Pandora to Prometheus' brother Epimetheus . Pandora was given a wedding gift of a beautiful jar, with instructions to not open it under any circumstance. Impelled by her curiosity (given to her by the gods), Pandora opened it and all evil contained therein escaped and spread over the earth. She hastened to close the container, but the whole contents had escaped except for one thing that lay at the bottom the Spirit of Hope. Pandora, deeply saddened by what she had done, feared she would have to face Zeus' wrath. However, Zeus did not punish Pandora because he knew this would happen.
In the tradition of Pandora and Bluebeard, Austen gives her heroine an inquisitive nature. Austen then "ups the ante" before ridiculing her heroine; more bathos
Extract:
"This is strange indeed! I did not expect such a sight as this! An immense heavy chest! What can it hold? Why should it be placed here? Pushed back too, as if meant to be out of sight! I will look into it‐cost me what it may, I will look into it‐ and directly too‐by daylight. If I stay till evening my candle may go out." She
advanced and examined it closely: it was of cedar, curiously inlaid with some darker wood, and raised, about a foot from the ground, on a carved stand of the same. The lock was silver, though tarnished from age; at each end were the imperfect remains of handles also of silver, broken perhaps prematurely by some strange violence; and, on the centre of the lid, was a mysterious cipher, in the same metal. Catherine bent over it intently, but without being able to distinguish anything with certainty. She could not, in whatever direction she took it, believe the last letter to be a T; and yet that it should be anything else in that house was a circumstance to raise no common degree of astonishment. If not originally theirs, by what strange events could it have fallen into the Tilney family? Her fearful curiosity was every moment growing greater; and seizing, with trembling hands, the hasp of the lock, she resolved at all hazards to satisfy herself at least as to its contents. With difficulty, for something seemed to resist her efforts, she raised the lid a few inches; but at that moment a sudden knocking at the door of the room made her, starting, quit her hold, and the lid closed with alarming violence. This ill‐timed intruder was Miss Tilney's maid, sent by her mistress to be of use to Miss Morland; and though Catherine immediately dismissed her, it recalled her to the sense of what she ought to be doing, and forced her, in spite of her anxious desire to penetrate this mystery, to proceed in her dressing without further delay. Her progress was not quick, for her thoughts and her eyes were still bent on the object so well calculated to interest and alarm; and though she dared not waste a moment upon a second attempt, she could not remain many paces from the chest. At length, however, having slipped one arm into her gown, her toilette seemed so nearly finished that the impatience of her curiosity might safely be indulged. One moment surely might be spared; and, so desperate should be the exertion of her strength, that, unless secured by supernatural means, the lid in one moment should be thrown back. With this spirit she sprang forward, and her confidence did not deceive her. Her resolute effort threw back the lid, and gave to her astonished eyes the view of a white cotton counterpane, properly folded, reposing at one end of the chest in undisputed possession!
How does Henry’s story on the curricle(horse carriage) help ignite Catherine's imagination?
In the tradition of Pandora and Bluebeard, Austen gives her heroine an inquisitive nature. Austen then "ups the ante" before ridiculing her heroine; more bathos
Extract:
"This is strange indeed! I did not expect such a sight as this! An immense heavy chest! What can it hold? Why should it be placed here? Pushed back too, as if meant to be out of sight! I will look into it‐cost me what it may, I will look into it‐ and directly too‐by daylight. If I stay till evening my candle may go out." She
advanced and examined it closely: it was of cedar, curiously inlaid with some darker wood, and raised, about a foot from the ground, on a carved stand of the same. The lock was silver, though tarnished from age; at each end were the imperfect remains of handles also of silver, broken perhaps prematurely by some strange violence; and, on the centre of the lid, was a mysterious cipher, in the same metal. Catherine bent over it intently, but without being able to distinguish anything with certainty. She could not, in whatever direction she took it, believe the last letter to be a T; and yet that it should be anything else in that house was a circumstance to raise no common degree of astonishment. If not originally theirs, by what strange events could it have fallen into the Tilney family? Her fearful curiosity was every moment growing greater; and seizing, with trembling hands, the hasp of the lock, she resolved at all hazards to satisfy herself at least as to its contents. With difficulty, for something seemed to resist her efforts, she raised the lid a few inches; but at that moment a sudden knocking at the door of the room made her, starting, quit her hold, and the lid closed with alarming violence. This ill‐timed intruder was Miss Tilney's maid, sent by her mistress to be of use to Miss Morland; and though Catherine immediately dismissed her, it recalled her to the sense of what she ought to be doing, and forced her, in spite of her anxious desire to penetrate this mystery, to proceed in her dressing without further delay. Her progress was not quick, for her thoughts and her eyes were still bent on the object so well calculated to interest and alarm; and though she dared not waste a moment upon a second attempt, she could not remain many paces from the chest. At length, however, having slipped one arm into her gown, her toilette seemed so nearly finished that the impatience of her curiosity might safely be indulged. One moment surely might be spared; and, so desperate should be the exertion of her strength, that, unless secured by supernatural means, the lid in one moment should be thrown back. With this spirit she sprang forward, and her confidence did not deceive her. Her resolute effort threw back the lid, and gave to her astonished eyes the view of a white cotton counterpane, properly folded, reposing at one end of the chest in undisputed possession!
How does Henry’s story on the curricle(horse carriage) help ignite Catherine's imagination?
- Henry knows his house very well and it is obvious to the readers that he knows what objects are in each room and where they placed.
- He knows that Catherine loves Gothic fiction and use his knowledge of his home to trick and confuse Catherine.
- Henry has placed these thoughts into Catherine's head.
- The incident foreshadows that Catherine's curiosity will lead her to go looking for adventures and mysteries.
- Henry has ignited her curiosity
- Naive
- Gullible
- She's growing up
- Inquisitive
- As the readers Jane Austen wants us to feel sorry for her heroine because we understand that she is young and is being influenced by the Gothic novels she is reading.
- Her curiosity is sharpened when she reads Gothic novels the same way how teenagers the same way feel overly scared when they watch a Horror film - as readers we can relate to her