Northanger Abbey Flashcards

Questions and Answers

When does Henry show up?

Volume 2, chapter 15 - he arrives at Catherine's house, tells her the whole truth and proposes to her.

What is Henry's 'love' for Catherine?

It is quite disappointing. His affection originated in gratitude, not love.

What signifies the happy ending?

Volume 2, chapter 16 - Eleanor marries happily, and then Catherine and Henry are married.

What is the mocking moral at the end of gothic stories?

Neither parental tyranny nor filial disobedience. Signup and view all the answers

What is the critique of women's 'culturally conditioned ignorance'?

A woman should conceal her knowledge; imbecility in females enhances their charms. Signup and view all the answers

What is the critique of the female gothic?

Catherine's deportation from Northanger is a reverse Gothic abduction, returning her to her family. Signup and view all the answers

When does Catherine get a letter from James breaking off engagement?

II. 10 Signup and view all the answers

When does Catherine get a letter from Isabella asking her to tell James to take her back?

II. 12 Signup and view all the answers

What is the symbolism in Northanger Abbey?

The Abbey symbolizes Catherine's imagined ideal; it contrasts with her reality, leading to personal growth. Signup and view all the answers

What is the full title of the novel?

Northanger Abbey Signup and view all the answers

What is the summary of Northanger Abbey?

The novel follows Catherine Morland, who enters society, befriends the Tilneys and Thorpes, and matures from a naive girl to someone who understands love and friendship, eventually marrying Henry Tilney. Signup and view all the answers

What novel does Catherine read in Bath?

Anne Radcliffe's The Mysteries of Udolpho. Signup and view all the answers

How is Catherine portrayed as a heroine in the novel?

Catherine is an unexpected heroine, depicted as naive and lacking in experience. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the character Isabella?

Isabella serves as an ironized caricature, emphasizing society's obsession with wealth and status. Signup and view all the answers

How does Catherine's character develop through the novel?

Catherine matures from being easily flattered and naive to understanding the complexities of human nature and romantic relationships. Signup and view all the answers

When does Austen speak highly of novels?

In chapter 5 of volume 1 and chapter 14. Signup and view all the answers

When does Catherine see Captain Tilney dancing with Isabella?

In volume 2, chapter 1. Signup and view all the answers

When is it revealed that Isabella cares too much about money?

In volume 2, chapter 1, when discussing her marriage with James. Signup and view all the answers

When does Henry tease Catherine with a gothic story about her at the Abbey?

In volume 2, chapter 5. Signup and view all the answers

What is Catherine's realization after being scolded by Henry?

Catherine understands that her fears were a self-created delusion influenced by her imagination. Signup and view all the answers

When is Catherine kicked out of Northanger Abbey?

In volume 2, chapter 13. Signup and view all the answers

What does Eleanor say about her power in the Abbey?

She expresses that her real power is nothing, emphasizing her limited agency. Signup and view all the answers

When does Catherine arrive home?

In volume 2, chapter 14. Signup and view all the answers

When is it revealed that the engagement between Isabella and James is broken off?

In volume 2, chapter 10, through a letter from James. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Northanger Abbey: Key Concepts and Themes

Full Title: Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen, published posthumously in 1818.

Summary of the Novel

Follows Catherine Morland, a naive girl who enters society in Bath, befriending the Tilneys and the Thorpes.
Catherine’s imagination is shaped by gothic novels, influencing her understanding of love, marriage, and friendship.
Her journey leads to a visit to Northanger Abbey, where her expectations of gothic mystery clash with reality.

The Concept of 'Heroinism'

Catherine is characterized as an unconventional heroine, with Austen ironically referencing her lack of typical heroic traits.
Austen critiques the unrealistic expectations placed on heroines through Catherine's naive interpretations and actions.
The narrative reflects on Catherine's personal growth, contrasting her fantasies with the mundane realities of life and societal norms.

Character Analysis: Isabella Thorpe

Isabella serves as an exaggerated representation of societal values, embodying materialism, superficiality, and fickleness.
Her obsession with wealth highlights the shallow nature of her relationships, particularly with James Morland and Captain Tilney.

Character Analysis: Catherine Morland

Catherine is depicted as unremarkable yet relatable, demonstrating naivety and a tendency to misinterpret social cues.
Her character evolves through the story, culminating in her realization of the disparity between her romantic fantasies and reality.

Critique of Novels within the Novel

Austen speaks highly of novels, citing their capacity to reveal human nature and their role in shaping readers’ understanding.
Through characters like Henry Tilney, Austen celebrates the joys and significance of a well-crafted narrative.

Key Plot Points and Character Interactions

Catherine's realization of Captain Tilney's flirtation with Isabella acts as a turning point in her understanding of romantic relationships.
The various misunderstandings highlight Catherine's innocence and the influence of gothic tropes on her perception of reality.

Themes of Gender and Power

The character of Eleanor Tilney embodies the constraints placed on women, emphasizing her lack of true agency within her own household.
Catherine’s experiences reflect broader societal commentary on women's roles and the consequences of their education and relationships.

Catherine’s Coming of Age

Significant growth occurs after her confrontation with the realities of life, marking a pivotal moment in her maturation process.
The shifting dynamics in her relationships lead to a profound understanding of love beyond mere romantic idealism.

Secondary Critique

Critics like Rebecca West and Sandra M. Gilbert underscore the feminist themes present in the novel, arguing for a critique of societal norms regarding women's education and roles.
The ending of the novel positions Catherine against the backdrop of societal expectations, in a nuanced reflection of her character's journey.

Climax and Resolution

Henry’s proposal serves as both a culmination of Catherine’s journey and a commentary on her growth from innocence to understanding.
The narrative ends on a note of reconciliation, illustrating both personal and societal changes in perspective.### Themes of Love and Gratitude
Henry's attachment to the heroine originates more from gratitude than genuine affection, reflecting the complexity of romantic motivations.
The narrator critiques the nature of Henry’s feelings, suggesting that they are not of the highest moral origins, thus challenging traditional romantic ideals.

Happy Ending

Eleanor marries a man of means, leading to General Tilney's approval, which ultimately allows Henry to return to Northanger and marry Catherine.
The culmination of these events is characterized by universal happiness and fulfillment, signifying a traditional romantic resolution.

Mocking Morality in Gothic Literature

The narrator questions whether the work endorses parental control or rewards disobedience; the implication is that the narrative transcends these simplistic dichotomies.
This critique encourages readers to look beyond binary moral conclusions, suggesting a more nuanced understanding of character motivations.

Critique of Women's Ignorance

The concept of "culturally conditioned ignorance" highlights societal expectations that discourage women's knowledge and independence.
Irony is employed as the narrator comments on how women are expected to conceal intelligence, minimizing their societal value and personal agency.

Subversive Female Gothic

Catherine’s forced return home is framed as a reversal of Gothic abduction, suggesting that familial bonds are sometimes oppressive.
Jane Austen's work is considered a critique of patriarchy, using Gothic conventions to demonstrate that women's imprisonment is more deeply rooted in societal norms than physical confinement.

Letters and Relationships

Catherine receives a letter from James breaking off their engagement in Volume II, Chapter 10.
In Volume II, Chapter 12, Isabella writes to Catherine, asking her to persuade James to rekindle their relationship, showcasing the manipulation within romantic relationships.

Symbolism of Northanger Abbey

The abbey symbolizes Catherine's ideals and imagined narratives, initially embodying her fantasies of being a Gothic heroine.
When confronted with the reality of the abbey, Catherine's imagination transforms the mundane into the terrifying, illustrating how literature shapes perception and identity.
Catherine’s journey reflects her struggle for autonomy and self-definition, revealing the limitations imposed by societal narratives and expectations.

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Explore key concepts and terms from Jane Austen's 'Northanger Abbey' with these flashcards. This resource will help you understand the full title and summary of the novel, as well as its themes and characters. Perfect for enhancing your study of this classic literature.