Northanger Abbey Analysis

1316 Words6 Pages
Savannah Crabbe AP Lang L. Casey December 6, 2012 Gothic Elements in Northanger Abbey Jane Austen is typically a sit-by-the-fireplace type of author. Her novels are not particularly dark, however in the self-acclaimed Northanger Abbey, this is not held true. Regardless of how light-hearted the novel appears on the surface, a deeper feeling is present. It is believed that Northanger Abbey is a parody of gothic novels. Being, Austen’s first novel, it is conceivable that this is in fact, true. There are several instances in the novel which serve as direct proof of Austen’s satirical sense of humor and clever writing techniques which pass the novel off as a gothic story. There are clear elements which provoke this gothic parody, one being the mysterious and climatic plot. In short, Catherine Morland goes to Bath for the season as the guest of Mr. and Mrs. Allen, and there she meets the eccentric General Tilney, his son Henry Tilney and his daughter Eleanor Tilney. Catherine is invited to the Tilney's home, the Northanger Abbey of the title, where she imagines numerous gruesome secrets surrounding the General and his house. Henry proves that her suspicions have no substance by, while she is still recovering from the humiliation, she finds herself ordered out of the house by the General. She returns home and is followed by Henry. He explains that the General, mistakenly believing her to be penniless, had been anxious to keep her away from his son. Restored to a sensible humour by the truth, the General finally gives his blessing to Henry's marriage to Catherine. Meanwhile, Henry Tilney's wordly brother, Captain Tilney, has flirted with Isabella Thorpe and caused her to break off her engagement to James Morland. But Captain Tilney is too shrewd to be taken in by the scheming Isabella, and she is left without a husband. Elanor Tilney's fortunate marriage to a
Open Document