Northanger+Abbey

In the Romantic period some people could be regarded as ‘victims’ of ways of thinking in their society. Critically evaluate the ways composers have represented these people. In your answer draw on knowledge of at least TWO prescribed texts as well as other related texts of your own choosing.
 * [[file:NARRATOLOGY[1].ppt]] **
 * Extension 1 English: Practice Question 10 **

Question considerations: Critically evaluate: ‘Austen’s success in …. ; The subtle satire of … Characters to be explored: WH – Cathy (old) – sick from passions/absence of nature ; societal expectations – prestige with Lintons, vs nobody Heathcliff WH – Edgar – victim to Cathy’s Rom/ her passions and he’s overwhelmed by her emotions/ victim to the standards of society/family background
 * Hypothesis – re idea of ‘victims’ – this will need definition and explanation to frame the discussion
 * Is that ‘victim to the ways of thinking’
 * ** Is that ‘victim to societies expectations’ **
 * Is that ‘victims’ because they reject paradigms/or support – remembering that there is no homogeneity
 * Does ‘victim’ mean helplessness? Suffering? Powerlessness? Power relationships? Condemned? Lack of choice? Adopting the role of being a victim?
 * 
 * ** Catherine (NA) victim to herself and her constructions of what she thinks/imagines, to society expectations, her place in society **
 * Need to explore power relationships in the texts
 * Making judgements: ‘clearly/definitely/ successfully/ undoubtedly/effectively/ evidently/ inarguably/ arguably/
 * Significance
 * Meaning
 * TEEL !!!!!!!!

NA – Catherine – to her imaginings and her interpretation of Rom. ; societies expectations (hegemony) NA – Eleanor – to the General; NA – Henry – not being a victim because he chooses; knowledge of muslin/ fiction; chooses not to obey his father

Evidence: “She could not think the Tilneys had acted quite well by her, in so readily giving up their engagement, without sending her any message or excuse.” p.92

“On the other hand, the delight of exploring an edifice like Udolpho as her fancy represented Blaize Castle to be, was such a counterpoise of good, as might console her for almost anything.” P. 92 “Catherine was too wretched to be fearful.” P. 258

“ … you had formed a surmise of such horror… consider the dreadful nature of the suspicions you have entertained.” P. 220

“The…evident desire of preventing such an examination was an additional stimulant.” P. 206

“Mrs Allan was quite struck by his genius. ‘Men commonly take so little notice of these things,’ said she.” Muslin p. 22

“With the curiousity so justly awakened, and feelings in every way so agitated, repose must be absolutely impossible. The storm to abroad so dreadful!” p. 189 (laundry list)

"To be sure, the painted arch was preserved - the form of them was Gothic - they might be even casements - but every pane was so large, so clear, so light! To an imagination which had hoped for the smallest divisions, and the heaviest stonework for painted glass, dirt and cobwebs, the difference was very distressing." p. 179

“ I am afraid she will be very constant, unless a baronet should come in her way’… ‘You think it is all for ambition then? – And, upon my word, there are some things that seem very like it. I cannot forget, that, when she first knew what my father would do for them, she seemed quite disappointed that it was not more.” P 230 - Isabella is a victim to the ways of thinking = need for social standing in society

Austen's defence of novel's, way of thinking = novels are the books for women reading, looked down upon by men “And what are you reading, Miss?’ ‘Oh it is only a novel!’ replies the young lady...or in short only some work in which the greatest powers of the mind are displayed, in which the most thorough knowledge of human nature, the happiest delineation of its varieties, the liveliest effusions of wit and humour are conveyed to the world in the best chosen language.’ P 33

Way of thinking = women should be seen and not heard. Austen scorns the author who praises stupidity in women, through Catherine who is ashamed of her ignorance “ She was.. ashamed of her ignorance. A misplaced shame…to come with a well-, informed mind, is to come with an inability of administering to the inability of others, which a sensible person would always wish to avoid. A woman especially, it she have the misfortune of knowing anything, should conceal it as well as she can” p 122 Thesis:

Romanticism is the term given to a period of literary exploration during the 18- 19th centuries that responded to and rejected the principles of the Enlightenment. The Enlightenment valued logic and reason; Romanticism embraced and celebrated feelings of sincerity, emotional directness and the power of the imagination. Writing in response to the central tenets of Romanticism, Austen satirises the excesses of the movement through parody and irony in //Northanger Abbey//. Through artful and playful use of elements of the gothic, Austen highlights the shortcomings of popular expressions of Romantic paradigms while at the same time celebrating the power of the act of reading. In effect, a cautionary tale, Austen is reminding readers of the dangers of excess through the characterisation of Catherine as she is shown to be a ‘victim’ of society, her own imagination and the prevailing ways of thinking. This is contrasted to Austen’s depiction of Henry Tilney, as he is shown to delight in enjoying, but not falling victim to, the excesses Austen identifies in Romantic paradigms.
 * ** Catherine (NA) victim to herself and her constructions of what she thinks/imagines, to society expectations, her place in society **
 * If you’re consumed – ‘victim to your own passions’ **

[Other thinking: ??? statement about victims of all sorts of ways of thinking, and Austen in effect advocating moderation, in opposition to R. ]

Austen’s gentle satire is targeted at those that have in her view fallen victim to the excesses of Romanticism. …. Catherine = victim of her own imaginings

Ironic and playful representation and exploration of the gothic is fundamental to Austen’s purpose in this novel. Catherine = useless heroine, setting, ironic use of gothic conventions in order to mock the gothic – purpose