After providing a short overview of the historical circumstances of both novels, this essay analyzes the representation of England and Englishness, first in Austen´s Northanger Abbey and then in Woolf´s Between the Acts. Aspects discussed include the relationship between town and countryside, the presentation of crime, houses and landscape as well as the selection of characters.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Historical Context
- Englishness in Northanger Abbey
- Space and Place
- Characters
- Imagination and the English Nature
- Englishness in Between the Acts
- Space and Place
- Characters
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This essay aims to explore the representation of Englishness in two literary texts: Jane Austen's *Northanger Abbey* (1817) and Virginia Woolf's *Between the Acts* (1941). Through a comparative analysis, the essay identifies similarities and differences in how these two works portray Englishness, considering their respective historical contexts.
- The evolution of English identity across historical periods
- The significance of space and place in shaping notions of Englishness
- The role of character portrayal in representing English values and behaviors
- The interplay between imagination, reality, and national identity
- Contradictions and tensions within the concept of Englishness
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The essay begins by providing a brief historical background, tracing the development of English identity from the Acts of Union in the 18th century to the turbulent times of World War II. This context highlights the changing perceptions of England and its role in the world.
Focusing on *Northanger Abbey*, the essay examines how Austen represents Englishness through her portrayal of space, place, and characters. It explores the contrast between Bath and the countryside, arguing that Austen presents a highly selective version of England, emphasizing certain locations and social groups. The essay also analyzes the role of imagination in Catherine Morland's perception of Englishness, and how it intersects with Henry Tilney's understanding of national identity.
The essay then turns to *Between the Acts*, examining Woolf's representation of Englishness through her exploration of space and place. It highlights the importance of history and the past in shaping the English landscape, as seen in the portrayal of Pointz Hall and its surroundings. The essay also analyzes Woolf's characterization of different social classes in the English village, emphasizing the historical context of their lives and backgrounds.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The essay explores key concepts such as Englishness, Britishness, national identity, historical context, space, place, character, imagination, and literary representation. It examines how these concepts are intertwined and manifest themselves in the two chosen texts, revealing insights into the evolution and complexities of English identity in the 19th and 20th centuries.
- Quote paper
- Silvia Schilling (Author), 2018, Representations of Englishness in Jane Austen's 'Northanger Abbey' (1817) and Virginia Woolf's 'Between the Acts' (1941), Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/520758
