A Gothic Parody Balances Sense and Sensibilty
Northanger Abbey integrates parody with characterization to emphasize the necessity of a balance between sense and sensibility while reflecting a theme of the initiation of a young woman into the complexities of adult social life
A Gothic Parody Balances Sense and Sensibility
Jane Austen wrote her novels in a period that has been coined the ?Romantic Agony.? The Romantic period of literature occurred from the 1730?s to the 1830?s and included for four types of novels, epistles, picaresque, gothic romance, and romantic or realist. This period marked a great change in literature. During this time period writers were expanding the definition of the novel. Jane Austen had a style of none other and is often referred to the first modern novelist. Her novels appear to be art for arts sake without the interference of politics and movements of the time. Austen?s novels can be recognized for their descriptive style, intrusive narrators, and ironic tone. She knew her limits as a writer and took her time to reach a level of perfection in all her work. Her characters were pure and ordinary and her work reflects the language of everyday life. She has been referred to as a realist, a revolutionary, and a moralist. Austen?s novels do not fit into any typical category. Her writings reflect an innovative style that is all her own.
Throughout her novel, Northanger Abbey, Jane Austen integrates parody with characterization to emphasize the necessity of a balance between sense and sensibility while reflecting a theme of the initiation of a young woman into the complexities of adult social life. This novel can be traced back as one of Jane Austen?s earliest works. It was written in 1798, but not published until 1818, and is an excellent example of what Austen believed a novel should not be. In the work Jane Austen?s Novels Social Change and Literary Form, Julia Prewitt Brown states ?The evident purpose of Northanger Abbey is to burlesque the popular fiction of her day, to carry its conventions and assumptions to an absurd extravagance? (50.) To achieve her purpose Austen uses parody to portray a comic version of a gothic novel while presenting false emotions of romanticism and concentrating on pure human beings and their mutual reactions.
?The writer of the pure novel sets out to delight us not by prodigality of invention, the creation of a large gallery of characters, the alternation of a large number of contrasted scenes, but by attention to the formal qualities of composition, to design, to the subordination of the parts to the whole, the whole being the exploration of the relations between his characters or of their relations to a central situation or theme.? (Allen, pp114.)
In Northanger Abbey, Austen intended to reflect a contrast between a normal, healthy-natured girl and the romantic heroines of fiction thorough the use of characterization. By portraying the main character, Catherine Moorland, as a girl slightly affected with romantic notions, Jane Austen exhibits the contrast between the world as it is and the world as imagined by the romancers whom she wished to ridicule. The first paragraph of the first chapter in the novel uses subtle irony to depict to the reader what Catherine Moorland was not. Catherine was not a girl with extraordinary beauty and ability of a classic romantic heroine, but an ordinary girl who may possibly lack extraordinary beauty and ability. In the novel, Catherine travels to Bath where she comes into contact with silly and tasteless people, the Thorpes. This contrast makes Catherine shine brighter. Catherine also comes into contact with the Tilneys, who were educated, well-bred people with a sense of humor. Their influence helps Catherine to develop into a sensible character, relieved of romantic notions, to become a charming wife for Henry Tilney.
Upon introduction in the novel, Catherine Moorland reflects a character that epitomizes the characteristic of sensibility. In the 19th century sensibility was a characteristic based on imagination, fantasy, innocence, passion, and creative thinking. The conventions of the gothic novel overlap, in all its forms, with sensibility, in part because it concerns a suffering protagonist. In this novel Catherine's confusion of the world of romance with the everyday world begins innocently and is the cause of her suffering. To relieve her suffering and become a mature adult Catherine must learn to distinguish between illusion and reality, to be aware that the imagination has the power to enforce its own slanted vision upon the world. Through a series of interactions with characters in the novel Catherine develops the quality of sense and learns to balance her innocence with her newly developed maturity. The character, Henry Tilney, employs his ability to balance the qualities of sense and sensibility to aid Catherine in her journey through the complexities of adult social life.
Henry Tilney upon introduction is displayed as a character that encompasses the quality of sense. Henry?s character is deeply rooted in qualities of intelligence, reason, and critical thinking. As the novel progresses, the depth of Henry?s character is revealed. The readers see that Henry does exhibit some qualities of sensibility. He reveals a sense of humor based on imagination and fantasy. Once both characteristics are revealed, Henry exhibits exemplar behaviors that embrace the sense quality while allowing sensibility to take over on the proper occasions. Through his behaviors he reveals that motivation can be achieved from a combination of ideas based in fantasy and in reality. Throughout the novel we see how Henry has achieved the ability to maximize the best elements of each quality to become an exemplar character. Throughout the novel, Austen reveals Henry?s achievement through a series of interactions with characters in the novel. Through these interactions the readers sees how Henry helps Catherine Moorland, an ordinary girl, develop into a sensible, mature adult.
Henry?s characteristic of sense is revealed through his behaviors and emotions influenced by his education. Henry?s intelligence is a quality that is closely related to sense. This quality allows him to practice reason and critical thinking. He is well-read, knowledgeable of many subjects, and a confident and articulate conversationalist. The extent of Henry's intelligence first appears to the reader when he discusses with Mrs. Allen the qualities of dressmaking materials, and the style of gowns. Though the readers can sense that Henry has little interest in the subject his knowledge becomes evident in the serious tone of this conversation. Later, Henry once again reveals the quality of sense when he demonstrates that he is perceptive enough to see through the vanity of Bath. In the novel Henry states,
"Bath, compared with London, has little variety, and so everybody finds out every year. 'For six weeks, I allow Bath is pleasant enough; but beyond that, it is the most tiresome place in the world. You would be told so by people of all descriptions, who come regularly every winter, lengthen their six weeks into ten or twelve, and go away at last because they can afford to stay no longer."
Henry is aware of the entertainment value that Bath has, but only stays there long enough to fulfill social obligations and to seek out suitable companions for Eleanor.
In the novel, Henry?s quality of sensibility is introduced in a conversation with his sister and Catherine, Henry states that he has read ?all Mrs. Radcliffe's works, and most of them with great pleasure?. It is apparent that he has read much more than Catherine, yet he does not make her feel inferior through his attempts to limit the discussion to Gothic romances. Henry reveals that he enjoys Gothic romances as fantastic and imaginative entertainments, but does not consider them to be realistic. Henry?s ability to enjoy fiction and the pleasure derived from the fantasy and imagination of Gothic novels can be attributed to his sensibility. Unlike Catherine, he is able to maintain a strong quality of sense instilled through his intelligence by not allowing the fantasy to encompass his being.
Readers are further exposed the depth of Henry?s character and his ability to maintain balance between the qualities of sense and sensibility, during a conversation between Catherine, Eleanor and himself. Catherine makes the statement that ?something very shocking indeed will soon come out in London,? he realizes his sister?s misunderstanding of Catherine?s remark as well as Catherine?s failure to notice Eleanor?s misinterpretations. He allows both girls to continue the conversation without interruption assuming that Catherine?s excitement is a reaction to the news of the publication of a sensational novel. Later in the conversation Henry amazes both girls before explaining the meaning of Catherine's initial statement, and Eleanor?s misunderstanding. "Government," said Henry, endeavoring not to smile, "neither desires nor dares to interfere in such matters. There must be murder; and government cares not how much." This comment exploited Eleanor's fear of a bloodbath in London, and demonstrated Henry?s vivid imagination, which is exemplified to a greater extent when he tells Catherine of the dreadful experiences awaiting her on their journey to Northanger Abbey. In both cases he illustrates a fanciful and improbable picture of events, yet takes pleasure in the effects his imagination has on his listeners. Henry?s ability to use his intelligence as well as his imagination in these situations demonstrates his balance between sense and sensibility.
Throughout the novel Henry proves to be a good judge of character. This is demonstrated in his attraction to Catherine. Catherine's failure to believe that others are capable of deceit or dishonorable behavior is evidence for Henry of her own freedom from these defects. She speaks plainly, and proves this in her profound statement; ?I cannot speak well enough to be unintelligible." This comment amuses Henry. It is apparent to the reader that Henry's love for Catherine is real. His judgement tells him that Catherine is honest, simple, innocent, and strongly attracted to him. Henry?s perception of character can be credited to the solid foundation of the characteristic of sense.
Henry?s judge of character is also proven in his judgements of Isabella. He is disapproving of Isabella and is not deceived by her mock friendship with Catherine. Isabella becomes jealous that Catherine is befriending the Tilney?s and tells Catherine, ?These Tilneys seem to swallow up everything else.? Even though Henry and Eleanor are aware of the true nature of Isabella, neither makes any attempts to influence Catherine. They allow her to discover, through experience, who her true friends are. Henry?s sense once again prevails in his opinion of Isabella. His determination to allow Catherine to develop her own perceptions through experience contributes to Catherine?s growth throughout the novel into a mature character that has a balance between sense and sensibility.
Henry holds a sense of pride in his intelligence that is displayed in occasional condescending comments made in a mocking tone to help Catherine develop into a better person. Henry was pleased to point out Eleanor?s stupidity and Catherine?s confusion when Eleanor misunderstood Catherine's comment about the novel to be published in London, telling the girls he was being noble in doing so.
"Come, shall I make you understand each other, or leave you to puzzle out an explanation as you can? No--I will be noble. I will prove myself a man, no less by the generosity of my soul than the clearness of my head. I have no patience with such of my sex as disdain to let themselves sometimes down to the comprehension of yours. Perhaps the abilities of women are neither sound nor acute--neither vigorous nor keen. Perhaps they may want observation, discernment, judgment, fire, genius, and wit."
Later, in conversation with Catherine and Eleanor, Henry makes the statement, "As far as I have had opportunity of judging, it appears to me that the usual style of letter-writing among women is faultless, except in three particulars." Catherine insulted replies, "And what are they?" Henry responds "A general deficiency of subject, a total inattention to stops, and a very frequent ignorance of grammar." Once again Henry uses gentle mockery when he exploits Catherine?s gullibility while teasing her for reading Radcliffe?s novel when he creates the tale of what awaits Catherine at the Abbey. Henry?s pride has been developed through his perception of his own maturity and ability to balance sense and sensibility. He uses his accomplishment of harmonizing both qualities to assist Catherine in her ventures to do the same.
In the novel, Henry ridicules Catherine for her use of improper use of language by uttering words like ?nicest? and ?amazing.? This ridicule is delivered in a teasing tone and is meant to be provocative. To him teasing is an expression of closeness that he reserves for those he cares for. Eleanor fears that Catherine may misunderstand Henry?s tauntings and explains to Catherine, "Henry," said Miss Tilney, "you are very impertinent. Miss Morland, he is treating you exactly as he does his sister. He is forever finding fault with me, for some incorrectness of language, and now he is taking the same liberty with you.? Later, while conversing with Catherine, he once again takes on a patronizing tone when he suggests that men are, for the most part, more intelligent than women. Eleanor for a second time expresses her fear that Catherine might misunderstand his tauntings. Henry reassures Eleanor that he thinks highly of women and that the intentions of comments are clear. He feels that Catherine is well aware of the fact that he is just teasing her while attempting to make her a better person. His high thoughts of women are apparent in the fact that he spends a lot of time with women throughout the novel. These conversations suggest his disapproving attitude toward the careless and inaccurate use of language by the visitors of Bath as well as provide an opportunity to remark in the negative effects that Isabella has on Catherine. By making Catherine aware of her careless use of these words, Henry is attempting to make her more precise in her conversation. Once again Henry?s behaviors suggest a balance in both sense and sensibility. He uses his own knowledge to communicate to Catherine expected behaviors of a mature adult.
Overall, Henry possesses an appealing blend of sense and sensibility. His great amount of intelligence provides the groundwork for his reasoning abilities. He is able to make good judgements of character reflecting his sense. In many situations his sense of humor, playfulness, and gentle mockery of Eleanor and of Catherine show his sensibility. His imagination and creativity motivate him to read Gothic romances and to indulge in the effects that his inventive tales produce. His decision to marry Catherine is motivated by feelings of love that further exemplifies his sensibility. Throughout the novel the readers see an excellent display of Henry?s ability to maintain equilibrium between the two qualities. He passes his knowledge onto Catherine to help her to become a better person. At the end of the novel it is apparent that Henry has taught the keys of his success to Catherine.
Works Cited
Allen, Walter. The English Novel. New York: E. P. Dutton & Co., Inc., 1954.
Austen, Jane. Northanger Abbey. 1818. Mineola, NY: Dover Publications,
2000.
Prewitt Brown, Julia. Jane Austen?s Novels Social Change and Literary Reform.
Massachusetts: Harvard University Press, 1979.
