Why is Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey often referred to as a parody of the Gothic novel?_ Jane Austen (1775-1817) is often regarded as the greatest English female novelist. Her novels are praised for their underlieing social comedy and thorough description of human relationships. She lived and worked during a time predominated by novels of sentiment, sensation and sensibility. However she stayed aloof from this literary style and especially her novel Northanger Abbey is often regarded to as a parody of the Gothic novel. Main authors of these so called ‘Gothic’ romances are for example Ann Radcliffe, Horace Walpole and M.G. Lewis. The Gothic novel has its origins in the Middle Ages and deals with mysterious, frightening, fantastic, supernatural, sexual and sublime things. The stories seem rather ridiculous to us today. The reader always finds similar characters and plots in those novels: “the tyrannical father, the importunate and unscrupulous suitor, the hero and heroine of sensibility and of mysterious but noble birth, the confidante[...], the chaperone.”1 The heroine is always unbelievable beautiful but weak and virtuous. Then she is threatened by a veil man and saved by the hero in the end. In contrast to such a story Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey is often considered as a “amusing and bitingly satirical pastiche of the ‘Gothic’ romances popular in her day.”2
[...]
_____
1 Mudrick, Marvin: Irony versus Gothicism. In: Jane Austen: Northanger Abbey and Persuasion. Edited by B.C. Southam. MacMillan Education Ltd. Hampshire, London. 1986 (Casebook Series); page 75
2 Austen, Jane: Northanger Abbey. Penguin Popular Classics. London. 1994; blurb
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Why is Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey often referred to as a parody of the Gothic novel?
- Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey as a Parody
- Catherine Morland: An Anti-Heroine
- The Anti-Types: Isabella Thorpe and John Thorpe
- The Gothic Episode in Northanger Abbey
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This text analyzes Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey and its relationship to the Gothic novel. It examines how Austen utilizes parody to critique and subvert the conventions of the Gothic genre. The analysis focuses on Austen's creation of anti-types, the contrast between reality and fiction, and the satirical portrayal of sentimentalism.
- Parody of the Gothic novel
- Character development and anti-types
- Contrast between reality and fiction
- Satire of sentimentalism and social conventions
- Catherine Morland's journey of maturation
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Why is Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey often referred to as a parody of the Gothic novel?: This introductory section establishes the context of Jane Austen's work within the broader literary landscape of the Gothic novel, highlighting the contrast between Austen's style and the prevalent Gothic romances of her time. It introduces the key argument: Northanger Abbey functions as a parody, satirizing the common tropes and stylistic features of Gothic novels.
Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey as a Parody: This section delves into the specific mechanisms Austen employs to achieve this parody. It discusses the creation of anti-typical characters – those who mirror, yet ultimately subvert, the expected archetypes of the Gothic genre. The text explores how Austen uses these anti-types, alongside a subtly inserted Gothic-like adventure, to expose the absurdity and sentimentality inherent in many Gothic narratives. The comedic contrast between expectation and reality is a central focus.
Catherine Morland: An Anti-Heroine: This section provides a detailed character study of Catherine Morland, the protagonist of Northanger Abbey. The text analyzes how Catherine functions as an anti-heroine, lacking the typical attributes of a Gothic heroine. Her ordinary background, physical appearance, and lack of initial heroic qualities are examined, showing how Austen deliberately constructs a character who defies the romanticized ideal prevalent in Gothic fiction. The section traces Catherine's development, showing her gradual maturation and shedding of her Gothic fantasies.
The Anti-Types: Isabella Thorpe and John Thorpe: This section analyzes the supporting characters Isabella and John Thorpe, highlighting how they serve as parodies of the typical Gothic confidante and villainous suitor. The text explains how their actions and personalities deviate from the expected Gothic archetypes, exposing the flaws and inconsistencies within these conventional characterizations. The satirical nature of their portrayal is discussed, showing how Austen uses them to further critique the unrealistic conventions of Gothic fiction.
The Gothic Episode in Northanger Abbey: This section examines the central Gothic episode within the novel, focusing on Catherine's visit to Northanger Abbey and her subsequent disillusionment. The text analyzes how Austen uses this episode to subvert reader expectations and to further highlight the difference between Gothic fantasy and the reality of everyday life. The significance of Catherine's experience in understanding the artificiality of Gothic narratives is discussed.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Jane Austen, Northanger Abbey, Gothic novel, parody, satire, anti-heroine, anti-types, sentimentalism, social conventions, realism, fiction, character development, irony, comedy.
Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey: A Parody of the Gothic Novel - FAQ
What is the main focus of this text?
This text analyzes Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey and its relationship to the Gothic novel. It examines how Austen uses parody to critique and subvert Gothic conventions, focusing on anti-types, the contrast between reality and fiction, and the satirical portrayal of sentimentalism.
What are the key themes explored in the analysis of Northanger Abbey?
Key themes include the parody of the Gothic novel, character development and the use of anti-types, the contrast between reality and fiction, satire of sentimentalism and social conventions, and Catherine Morland's journey of maturation.
How does Northanger Abbey function as a parody of the Gothic novel?
Austen employs parody by creating anti-typical characters who mirror but ultimately subvert expected Gothic archetypes. The comedic contrast between expectation and reality, along with a subtly inserted Gothic-like adventure, exposes the absurdity and sentimentality inherent in many Gothic narratives.
Who is Catherine Morland, and what is her role in the novel?
Catherine Morland is the protagonist and functions as an anti-heroine, lacking the typical attributes of a Gothic heroine. Her ordinary background, appearance, and lack of initial heroic qualities defy the romanticized ideal prevalent in Gothic fiction. The text traces her development and maturation as she sheds her Gothic fantasies.
What is the significance of the supporting characters Isabella Thorpe and John Thorpe?
Isabella and John Thorpe serve as parodies of the typical Gothic confidante and villainous suitor. Their actions and personalities deviate from expected Gothic archetypes, exposing flaws and inconsistencies within these conventional characterizations. Austen uses them satirically to critique the unrealistic conventions of Gothic fiction.
What is the importance of the "Gothic Episode" in Northanger Abbey?
The central Gothic episode (Catherine's visit to Northanger Abbey and subsequent disillusionment) subverts reader expectations and highlights the difference between Gothic fantasy and everyday reality. Catherine's experience underscores the artificiality of Gothic narratives.
What are some of the keywords associated with this analysis of Northanger Abbey?
Jane Austen, Northanger Abbey, Gothic novel, parody, satire, anti-heroine, anti-types, sentimentalism, social conventions, realism, fiction, character development, irony, comedy.
What is the purpose of the chapter summaries provided in the text?
The chapter summaries provide a concise overview of each section's content, outlining the key arguments and analyses presented within each chapter regarding Jane Austen's use of parody and satire in Northanger Abbey.
- Quote paper
- Melanie Strieder (Author), 2003, Why is Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey often referred to as a parody of the Gothic novel?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/38643
