Symbols and Gothic Lit.

Austen wrote this book out of her own experiences with society. er knowledge of coming out and social standing are all critical in the workmanship of the novel. Austen, choosing to write a Gothic novel, puts in an old torn down Abbey, supporting it's theme, and creates an eerie affect. Using an abbey shows its holy nature, and who used to live there. For Catherine the abbey is ideal. She is so enveloped in Gothic novels that when she goes to the Abbey herself it is in her nature to find out some twisted story.

Youth

The theme of youth is evident throughout the novel. The main characters are young and just starting their lives. They all mature in one way or another, especially Catherine and Isabella.
Catherine grows from a young girl, to a young woman who is ready be married and live her life.
Isabella on the other hand goes int he opposite direction, reverting a more in a dishonorable way. The contrast of youth a growing up is something that her readers are able to understand. If we were to take a look at the relationship between Catherine and Henry we'd see how Austen plays the maturity roles against each other. Catherine the innocent against the older and more experienced Henry. Throughout the novel, we as readers are able to sympathize with Catherine as she matures.

Isabella Thorpe

Isabella start off as the kind friend, guiding Catherine through her day to day activities and bringing her out of her sheltered life. She knows a lot about society and the current social standings and gossip. It seems that she has been out in society for most of her life, and that is all her attention will consume. So, being the kind friend that she is, she talks to Catherine and helps her out.

Little do we know that Isabella's true nature is to get to Catherine's brother through Catherine herself. She makes it quite clear that she likes her brother, yet it goes over Catherine's head.
Isabella's character is that of one who changes dramatically in every situation that she is in.

Henry Tinley

Henry opens up a whole new world for Catherine. His easy banter and way of criticizing society set her mind at ease. Henry is often amused by Catherine's naivete, and goes along with her ideas in conversation. Henry has a gentle nature, caring for his sister, and for Catherine as well.

Catherine: The Innocent One

Catherine, the protagonist, is very innocent and naive when it comes to society. She has been sheltered her whole life, and seems to be lost when it comes to society's banter. Throughout the novel Catherine was able to mature in many ways. To start off, when it came to the simple (and I use that word lightly) topic of men, she had no idea what was going on.
She meets Henry early on in the novel, and is automatically consumed with his sense of humor and the way he makes fun society. It puts her at ease. It is almost like Henry is letting her know that it is perfectly fine that she has been sheltered her whole life, because it's not like she was missing out on anything great. Henry's soothing ways and sense of humor draw Catherine right in.
Once Catherine meets Henry and starts to develop feelings for him, she has no idea what to do...this is a form of her development into society and into woman hood. She is coming across new feelings and trying to adapt to them.

Catherine shows her naivete continuously throughout the novel. For example, when Isabella and her brother spend more time with each other, and flirt continuously, Catherine has no idea. She is very annoyed with their behavior, and taken back by their notions. Her sweet innocence is in the way of what is going on around her. She tries to learn from people such as Isabella of what is going on in society, but it only seems to help her a little.
Catherine's growth is quite evident throughout the novel, as she climbs the latter in society.

Northanger Abbey Volume II Chapter XVI Plot Overview

Chapter 16 is a happy affair.

"Mr. and Mrs. Morland's surprise on being applied to by Mr. Tilney, for their consent to his marrying their daughter, was, for a few minutes considerable; it having never entered their heads to suspect an attachment on either side; but as nothing, after all, could be more natural than Catherine's being beloved, they soon learnt to consider it with only the happy agitation of gratified pride, and, as far as they alone were concerned, had not a single objection to start" (Austen 210).

Eleanor married first. Then, a year after they had met, Mr. Henry Tilney and Miss Catherine Morland were married, "the bells rang and every body smiled" (Austen 212).

The books ends with: "To begin perfect happiness at the respective ages of twenty-six and eighteen, is to do pretty well; and professing myself moreover convinced, that the General's unjust interference, so far from being really injurious to their felicity, was perhaps rather conducive to it, by improving their knowledge of each other, and adding strength to their attachment, I leave it to be settled by whomsoever it may concern, whether the tendency of this work be altogether to recommend parental tyranny, or reward filial disobedience" (Austen 213).

Northanger Abbey Volume II Chapter XV Plot Overview

In Chapter 15, Catherine's mother noticed her listlessness. When she commented on her inability to keep to a task, Catherine tried harder. "Catherine said no more, and , with an endeavor to do right, applied to her work; but, after a few minutes, sunk again; without knowing it herself, into languor and listlessness, moving herself in her chair from the irritation of weariness, much oftener than she moved her needle" (Austen 203).

While her mother went on a search for a book she felt Catherine should read, the Morland's received an unexpected visitor – Mr. Henry Tilney.

He was very embarrassed, and said that the only reason he came was to ensure Catherine arrived home safely, that she was well, and that she wasn't too upset at him for what occurred in his absence at the Abbey.

"On his return from Woodston, two days before, he had been met near the Abbey by his impatient father, hastily informed in angry terms of Miss Morland's departure, and ordered to think of her no more. Such was the permission upon which he had now offered her his hand" (Austen 205).

Henry told Catherine that the reason she was turned from the house so suddenly was that the General had discovered in London that she came from a family with no wealth, as he had at first assumed.

"Henry's indignation on hearing how Catherine had been treated, on comprehending his father's views, and being ordered to acquiesce in them, had been open and bold. Usually not one to anger the General on purpose, or even argue with what he said or insisted, Henry Tilney stood up for his feelings for Catherine.

"He felt himself bound as much in honor as in affection to Miss Morland, and believing that heart to be his own which he had been directed to gain, no unworthy retraction of a tacit consent, no reversing decree of unjustifiable anger, could shake his fidelity, or influence the resolutions it prompted" (Austen 208).

Thus being said, he proposed.

Northanger Abbey Volume II Chapter XIV Plot Overview

Chapter 14 reveals Catherine's ride back to her home. "leaning back in one corner of the carriage, in a violent burst of tears, she was conveyed some miles beyond the walls of the Abbey before she raised her head; and the highest point of ground within the park was almost closed from her view before she was capable of turning her eyes towards it" (Austen 193).

The entire journey seemed to take forever, and Catherine was miserable the whole way home. Right before Catherine's homecoming, Austen injects her thoughts into the story: "A heroine returning, at the close of her career, to her native village, in all the triumph of recovered reputation, and all the dignity of a countess, with a long train of noble relations in their several phaetons, and three waiting-maids in a travelling chaise-and-four, behind her, is an event on which the pen of the contriver may well delight to dwell; it give credit to every conclusion, and the author must share in the glory she so liberally bestows – But my affair is widely different; I bring back my heroine to her home in solitude and disgrace; and no sweet elation of spirits can lead me into minuteness" (Austen 195).

Her whole family (or at least those at home) came out to greet her, happy to see her home again. They all wished to hear of her adventures, and asked about the circumstances which led to her coming home so soon. "They never once thought of her heart, which, for the parents of a young lady of seventeen, just returned from her first excursion from home, was odd enough! (Austen 197).

Catherine dearly missed Eleanor, and in response to a comment of Mrs. Allen said: "No friend can be better worth keeping than Eleanor" (Austen 198).

Northanger Abbey Volume II Chapter XIII Plot Overview

In chapter 13, the General went to London for a week, and left the inhabitants of Northanger Abbey to have a lovely time without his strict schedules.

"His departure gave Catherine the first experimental conviction that a loss may be sometimes a gain. The happiness with which their time now passed, every employment voluntary, every laugh indulged, every meal a scene of ease and good-humour, walking where they liked and when they liked, their hours, pleasure and fatigues at their own command, made her thoroughly sensible of the restraint which the General's presence had imposed, and most thankfully feel their present release form it" (Austen 184).

During this time, Catherine brought up the length of her stay. How long was she welcome, was something that she wanted to know. She didn't want to overstay. Eleanor and Henry quickly shushed her reservations of being unwelcome for much longer. "The kindness, the earnestness of Eleanor's manner in pressing her to stay, and Henry's gratified look on being told that her stay was determined, were such sweet proofs of her importance with them as left her only just so much solicitude as the human mind can never do comfortably without" (Austen 185).

At the end of the chapter, however, the General returns late one night and commands that Eleanor tell her friend to leave immediately. He even scheduled a carriage to pick her up first thing after breakfast the next morning. Just after breakfast, she left Northanger Abbey, unaware of any wrongdoing on her part, but wishing she could apologize for it.

Northanger Abbey Volume II Chapter XII Plot Overview

In chapter 11, Catherine received an unexpected letter from Isabella. "Such a strain of shallow artifice could not impose even upon Catherine. Its inconsistencies, contradictions, and falsehood, struck her from the very first. She was ashamed of Isabella, and ashamed of having ever loved her" (Austen 182).

Catherine rants to herself about the girl her broke her brother's heart exclaiming: "she is a vain coquette" (Austen 182). When talking the letter over with Henry, Catherine tells him how even though she no longer thinks they are getting married, she still isn't keen on his brother.

Captain Tilney had already been re-deployed, and left Isabella all alone. But Catherine did not care: "As it happens, there is no great harm done, because I do not think Isabella has any heart to lose"(Austen 182).

Northanger Abbey Volume II Chapter XI Plot Overview

In chapter 11 Catherine is invited to visit Woodston, Henry's estate. The General, Isabella, and Catherine all ride out to make a day of it. "Henry, with the friends of his solitude, a large Newfoundland puppy and two or three terriers, was ready to receive them and make much of them. Catherine's mind was too full, as she entered the house, for her either to observe or to say a great deal" (Austen 177).

She had a beautiful time at Woodston and greatly enjoyed walking the grounds. "She was sufficiently recovered to think it prettier than any pleasure-ground she had ever been in before, though there was not a shrub in it higher than the green bench in the corner" (Austen 178).

She had such a grand experience, and she couldn't wait to return.

Northanger Abbey Volume II Chapter X Plot Overview

In chapter 10 Catherine receives some news that breaks her heart. Isabella has broken her engagement to Catherine's brother, James. In a letter to his sister, James explains what happened. "Everything is at an end between Miss Thorpe and me" (Austen 167). "Let me soon hear from you, dear Catherine; you are my only friend; you love I do build upon. Dearest Catherine, beware how you give your heart" (Austen 168).

Catherine is very upset and allows Henry and Isabella to read the letter. "Isabella has deserted my brother, and is to marry your's! Could you have believed there had been such inconstancy and fickleness, and every thing that is bad in the world?" (Austen 170).

Thankfully, Henry and Eleanor are kind-hearted and talk her out of her distress.

Northanger Abbey Volume II Chapter IX Plot Overview

In chapter 9 Catherine resolves to have a look around the deceased Mrs. Tilney's apartments that had not been included in her tour the day before. She looks around, not exactly knowing what to expect, and runs into Henry Tilney who dissuades her of her thinking the General had been involved in foul play regarding his wife's death.

"You have erred in supposing him not to be attached to her. He loved her, I am persuaded, as well as it was possible for him to" (Austen 164). Henry is disappointed in Catherine's trying to bring the fantastic world of the novel into real life.

"Dear Miss Morland, consider the dreadful nature of the suspicions you have entertained. What have you been judging from? Remember the country and the age in which we live. Remember that we are English, that we are Christians. Consult your own understanding, you own sense of the probable, you own observation of what is passing around you – Does our education prepare us for such atrocities? Do our laws connive at them? Could they be perpetrated without being known in a country like this, where social and literary intercourse is on such a footing; where every man is surrounded by a neighborhood of voluntary spies, and where roads and newspapers lay ever thing open? Dearest Miss Morland, what ideas have you been admitting?" (Austen 164). Catherine is suitably ashamed and quits all thoughts of evil doings in the Abbey.

Northanger Abbey Volume II Chapter VIII Plot Overview

In chapter 8, Catherine finally gets her tour of Northanger Abbey. Nothing was as she expected. Instead, it was filled with servants, modern furniture and styling, and most of all it was clean, tidy, and bright – not dark and creepy as she had expected.

On this tour, Catherine also receives knowledge of Miss Tilney's mothers' death 9 years earlier. Catherine immediately begins to suspect the General of foul play.

Northanger Abbey Volume II Chapter VII Plot Overview

Chapter 7 dawned the first morning of Catherine Morland's stay at Northanger Abbey. After breakfast, the General decides to give her a tour of the grounds with Eleanor.

After walking for awhile, the party came across Miss Tilney's favorite walk. "It was a narrow winding path through a thick grove of old Scotch firs; and Catherine, struck by is gloomy aspect, and eager to enter it,, could not, even by the General's disapprobation, be kept from stepping forward" (Austen 148). The path was lovely, Catherine loved it and walked along with Eleanor for awhile as she reminisced walking this same path with her deceased mother.

Catherine was especially anxious to get a tour of the Abbey itself. This particular adventure, however, was continuously postponed.

Northanger Abbey Volume II Chapter VI Plot Overview

Chapter 6 describes Catherine's first night at Northanger Abbey. "A moment's glance was enough to satisfy Catherine that her apartment was very unlike the one which Henry had endeavored to alarm her by the description of" (Austen 135). Instead of having a creepy room full of webs, dust, and trap doors, her guest room is beautiful, very light due to the large window, and extremely clean. The only interesting item in the room at first is a trunk at the end of the bed. Catherine thinks, at first, that it could be housing something scary… but then she opened it and only found spare blankets.

That night, during a loud storm, as she was preparing for bed "she scorned the causeless fears of an idle fancy, and began with a most happy indifference to prepare herself for bed" (Austen 139). As she looked around the room reassuring herself that there was nothing scary in the room, her eyes fixated on a cabinet she had previously overlooked. "It was so very odd, after what Henry had said… she could not sleep till she had examined it" (Austen 139). Catherine had a very difficult time opening the cabinet, but when she was finally able to look inside it only contained a few receipts.

"Hour after hour passed away, and the wearied Catherine had heard three proclaimed by all the clocks in the house before the tempest subsided, or she unknowingly fell fast asleep" (Austen 141).

Northanger Abbey Volume II Chapter V Plot Overview

In

In Chapter 5 Catherine finally leaves Bath is pursuit of Northanger Abbey with the Tilney's. On the way however, she is disappointed by the news that Henry does not live their all the time due to his owning his own estate – Woodston.

As they are discussing the house and it's connection to the novels that Catherine enjoys so much, Henry Tilney begins to imagine Catherine's first night in her room at the Abbey, and enjoys explaining how it may be to her. Drawing on images and phrases from the novels he had read, and his own imagination, Henry weaves a tale of horror and intrigue that has Catherine on the edge of her seat in the carriage. "Henry was too much amused by the interest he had raised, to be able to carry it farther; he could no longer command solemnity either of subject or voice, and was obliged to entreat her to use her own fancy in the perusal of Matilda's woes" (Austen 132).

Slightly disappointed at her arrival to the Abbey, Catherine noticed the lack of horrific icons and cobwebbed corners of the house. Instead, Catherine found the house to be modern, bright, and cheerful.

Northanger Abbey Volume II Chapter IV Plot Overview

In chapter 4 continued to watch Isabella interact with Captain Tilney.

"When Catherine saw [Isabella Thorpe] in public, admitting Captain Tilney's attentions as readily as they were offered, and allowing him almost an equal share with James in her notice and smiles, the alteration became too positive to be passed over. ... James was the sufferer. She saw him grave and uneasy; and however careless of his present comfort the woman might be who had given him her heart, to her it was always an object" (Austen 122).

Finally, when Catherine could no longer stand to see her brother upset, she went to Henry Tilney and asked him to speak to his brother on her behalf. She wanted Mr. Tilney to stop lavishing his attentions on Isabella.

Henry Tilney refuses the request, however, insisting that it is as much Isabella's fault as it is the Captains. "No man is offended by another man's admiration of the woman he loves; it is the woman only who can make it a torment" (Austen 124). "You have no doubt of the mutual attachment of your brother and your friend; therefore, that real jealousy never can exist between them; depend upon it that no disagreement between them can be of any duration" (Austen 125).

Catherine admitted he to be wiser, and followed his instruction of disregarding the situation.

Northanger Abbey Volume II Chapter III Plot Overview

In Chapter 3 Catherine begins to see another side of Isabella that she does not like. Henry Tilney's older brother, Captain Tilney continues to flirt with Isabella and she returns his attentions, even though she is engaged to James Morland.

Of course, Isabella refuses to acknowledge that she is at fault: "I certainly cannot return his affection, and as certainly never meant to encourage it" (Austen 118).

When they are at the Pump-Rooms, Captain Tilney arrives and distracts Isabella from talking to Catherine at any length. Catherine is sitting next to Isabella and overhears everything they are saying. "Quite out of countenance [she] could listen no longer. Amazed that Isabella could endure it, and jealous for her brother, she rose up, and saying she should join Mrs. Allen, proposed their walking" (Austen 120). Isabella pretends not to hear her suggestion for walking, so Catherine leaves on her own angry for her brother.

Northanger Abbey Volume II Chapter II Plot Overview

Chapter 2 brings delightful news to Catherine Morland. Eleanor Tilney wants her to come for a prolonged visit to Northanger Abbey, her home in Gloucestershire. "Northanger Abbey! – These were thrilling words, and wound up Catherine's feelings to the highest point of extasy" (Austen 113).

Catherine was excited to spend an extended amount of time with Eleanor and Henry Tilney. She wasn't as keen for the General's company, but as he had personally invited her, she was still thrilled beyond words. In a short amount of time, the necessary arrangements were made and Catherine could focus on how she felt about the ordeal.

"She was to be their chosen visitor, she was to be for weeks under the same roof with the person whose society she mostly prized – and, in addition to all the rest, this roof was to be the roof of an abbey! – Her passion for ancient edifices was next in degree to her passion for Henry Tilney – and castles and abbeys made usually the charm of those reveries which his image did not fill" (Austen 114).

Northanger Abbey Volume II Chapter I Plot Overview

Jane Austen begins her second volume of Northanger Abbey with a visit by Catherine to the Tilney residence. "Catherine's expectations of pleasure from her visit in Milsom-street were so very high, that disappointment was inevitable; and accordingly, though she was most politely received by General Tilney, and kindly welcomed by his daughter, though Henry was at home, and no one else of the party, she found, on her return, without spending many hours in the examination of her feelings, that she had gone to her appointment preparing for happiness which it had not afforded" (Austen 105).

Isabella Thorpe was slightly jealous that Catherine wanted to further her relationship with the Tilney's. Thankfully, "Isabella's opinion of the Tilney's did not influence her friend; she was sure there had been no insolence in the manners either of brother or sister; and she did not credit there being any pride in their hearts" (Austen 106).

In this chapter, Captain Tilney is introduced. Captain Frederick Tilney is the older brother of Henry and Eleanor Tilney. He is in Bath on leave from his duties in the military. He is immediately taken with Isabella, and she is charmed by him. This is the beginning of problems in James' and Isabella's engagement.

In one funny bit of dialogue, Catherine is confused and remarks, "I cannot speak well enough to be unintelligible" (Austen 108). Henry replies, "an excellent satire on modern language" (Austen 108). This was a small comedic break in the seriousness of this chapter.

When Isabella receives a letter from James regarding the postponement of their marriage due to funds, Isabella gets a little upset. She is upset about the money and that they will be poor, but Catherine is naïve and "she endeavored to believe that the delay of the marriage was the only source of Isabella's regret; and when she saw her at their next interview as cheerful and amiable as ever, endeavored to forget that she had for a minute thought otherwise" (Austen 111).

Northanger Abbey Volume I Chapter XV Plot Overview

Chapter 15 brings bittersweet news to Catherine Morland. Her brother is to be married to Isabella Thorpe.

Isabella's "heart and faith were alike engaged to James" (Austen 96).

While Catherine was happy for her brother, she "secretly acknowledged to power of love; for though exceedingly fond of her brother, and partial to all his endowments, she had never in her life thought him handsome" (Austen 97).

"The agitation which she had herself experienced on first learning her brother's engagement, made her expect to raise no inconsiderable emotion in Mr. and Mrs. Allen, by the communication of the wonderful event. All that they felt on the occasion was comprehended in a wish for the young people's happiness, with a remark, on the gentleman's side, in favour of Isabella's beauty, and on the lady's, of her great good luck" (Austen 102).

Northanger Abbey Volume I Chapter XIV Plot Overview

Jane Austen brings happiness back into the plot when Catherine is finally able to go on a walk with Mr. and Miss Tilney.

When Catherine apologizes for her love of novels, Henry Tilney counters with, "The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid. I have read all of Mrs. Radcliffe's works, and most of them with great pleasure" (Austen 86). Catherine is exceedingly pleased at the news of Mr. Tilney's love of books.

Their relationship has progressed to the stage of teasing in a very short time. Even Miss Tilney remarks on his attitude: "'Henry,' said Miss Tilney, 'you are very impertinent. Miss Morland, he is treating you exactly as he does his sister. He is for ever finding fault with me, for some incorrectness of language, and now he is taking the same liberty with you'" (Austen 87).

On their walk, the Tilney's began discussing the view from an artist's perspective. Catherine was completely naïve regarding the topic.

Austen injected this belief into the story: "I will only add in justice to men, that though to the larger and more trifling part of the sex, imbecility in females is a great enhancement of their personal charms, there is a portion of them too reasonable and too well informed themselves to desire anything more in woman than ignorance. Catherine did not know her own advantages – did not know that a good-looking girl, with an affectionate heart and a very ignorant mind, cannot fail of attracting a clever young man, unless circumstances are particularly untoward" (Austen 90).

When Mr. Tilney became aware of Catherine's ignorance to the subject of art, he was happy to inform her. "A lecture on the picturesque immediately followed, in which his instructions were so clear that she soon began to see beauty in every thing admire by him, and her attention was so earnest, that he became perfectly satisfied of her having a great deal of natural taste" (Austen 90).

When the topic of conversation returned to books, Catherine commented on a new work soon to be published. Miss Tilney misunderstood and was immediately teased by her brother. "'Miss Morland has been talking of nothing more dreadful than a new publication which is shortly to come out… my stupid sister has mistaken all your clearest expressions. She immediately pictured to herself a mob of three thousand men assembling in St. George's Fields'" (Austen 92).

Catherine was a little shocked at Mr. Tilney's teasing, but Miss Tilney quickly put her at ease again. "'You may as well make Miss Morland understand yourself'" (Austen 92). She told her brother to stop teasing, but all Mr. Tilney said in reply was, "'I shall be most happy to make her better acquainted with [his odd ways]. Miss Morland, no one can think more highly of the understanding of women than I do. In my opinion, nature has given them so much that they never find it necessary to use more than half'" (Austen 92).

The walk was a great success, and Catherine was able to become better acquainted with the Tilney's just as she had hoped.

Northanger Abbey Volume I Chapter XIII Plot Overview

In Chapter 13, Sunday brought turmoil again into Catherine's usually peaceful life. Moments after confirming the next day's plans of a walk, with Miss Tilney and her brother, Catherine was bombarded by Isabella, John, and James' plea to drive to Clifton the tomorrow. Catherine stood firm in her refusal of the activity insisting that she had plans with the Tilney's. This time she was determined to not be thwarted in her plans.

Isabella tried different ways to make Catherine agree to her plan. "Isabella became only more and more urgent; calling on her in the most affectionate manner; was addressing her by the most endearing names… Isabella then tried another method. She reproached her with having more affection for Miss Tilney … Catherine though this reproach equally strange and unkind" (Austen 79).

Not only was Isabella against Catherine's plans, but James was too. "This was the first time of her brother's openly siding against her and anxious to avoid his displeasure, she proposed a compromise" (Austen 80). Unfortunately, nobody agreed to her straightforward request of waiting one day longer, and instead they all tried to cajole her into changing her plans.

While she was walking in an uncomfortable silence with Isabella and James, John went off and talked to Miss Tilney. Unbeknownst to Catherine, he postponed her plans with the Tilney's until Tuesday.

When she found out moments after the Tilney's left, Catherine was not happy. "'This will not do,' said Catherine; 'I cannot submit to this. I must run after Miss Tilney directly and set her right.' Isabella, however, caught hold of one hand; Thorpe of the other and remonstrance soured in from all three" (Austen 81). Catherine felt completely upset that Mr. Thorpe would meddle in things he had no business changing.

Catherine broke away and ran after the Tilney's. "If I could not be persuaded into doing what I thought wrong, I never will be tricked into it" (Austen 81).

Luckily, Catherine was able to talk to the Tilney's and straighten everything out; they were even able to confirm their walk the next day.

"Catherine… though sorry to think that Isabella should be doing wrong, felt greatly relieved by Mr. Allen's approbation of her danger of falling into such an error herself: (Austen 85).

Northanger Abbey Volume I Chapter XII Plot Overview

In Chapter 12 Catherine Morland was able to talk to Mr. Tilney for a little while and apologize for her rude actions the day before regarding the walk. Being a gentleman, he insisted that there was no snub incurred and everything was fine between them.

While talking to Henry Tilney, Catherine noticed John Thorpe talking to General Tilney, Mr. Tilney's father. When he returned from his discussion with the General, and Mr. Tilney had slipped out for a few moments, Mr. Thorpe told Catherine that "the General thinks you the finest girl in Bath" "Catherine, … was much less gratified by his admiration than by General Tilney's" (Austen 77).

"That General Tilney, instead of disliking, should admire her, was very delightful; and she joyfully thought, that there was not one of the family whom she need now fear to meet" (Austen 77).

Austen thankfully allowed this happy scene for the heroine (and the reader) to enjoy before tormenting her any further.

Northanger Abbey Volume I Chapter XI Plot Overview

Chapter 11 brings such tension and deceit into the plot that this author was greatly upset over Catherine Morland's distressful situation. The morning starts off dreary with a sort of foreshadowing for the coming events, but Catherine, ever the optimist, prefers to look at the weather differently. "A bright morning so early in the year, she allowed would generally turn to rain, but a cloudy one foretold improvement as the day advanced" (Austen 65).

When the rainy day postpones Catherine's plans of a walk with the Tilney's, she is understandably upset. "At half past twelve, when Catherine's anxious attention to the weather was over, and she could no longer claim any merit from its amendment, the sky began voluntarily to clear" (Austen 66). With the clearing of the weather, Miss Morland hoped that her plans for a walk with the Tilney siblings would occur just as they had originally planned. Unfortunately, Isabella and John Thorpe, and James Morland drove up in the open carriages to "drive directly to Clifton and dine there" (Austen 67).

Catherine excused herself from the excursion allowing her original plans to take precedence. Very un-friend-like, Isabella, John, and James put up a huge fight and insisted she come. When John finally told her that he saw the Tilney's riding out of town in a phaeton only a few minutes before, Catherine decided that she should go since they obviously hadn't planned on meeting up with her as she originally thought.

Moments after getting in the carriage and starting on their journey, Catherine saw the Tilney's walking in the direction of the Allen's house, clearly going to meet with her. Catherine was very upset that John lied and insisted he stop the carriage immediately, he behaved like a cad and only urged the horse faster, promptly ignoring her vehement protests.

"How could you deceive me so, Mr. Thorpe? – How could you say, that you saw them driving up the Lansdown road? – I would not have had it happen so for the world – They must think it so strange; so rude of me! to go by them, too , without saying a word! You do not know how vexed I am – I shall have no pleasure at Clifton, nor in any thing else. I had rather, ten thousand times rather get out now, and walk back to them . How could you say, you saw them driving out in a phaeton?" (Austen 70).

Catherine was justly angry at the deceit, and John Thorpe was an idiot, and continued to talk of himself as per usual.

The topic of James' monetary situation came up and Catherine did not try and deceive John of James' lack of great funds. "'Morland is a fool for not keeping a horse and gig of his own.' 'No, he is not,' said Catherine warmly, 'for I am sure he could not afford it.' 'And why cannot he afford it?' 'Because he has not money enough'" (Austen 71).

Austen ends the chapter in a very fitting manner: "And now I may dismiss my heroine to the sleepless couch, which is the true heroine's portion; to a pillow strewed with thorns and wet with tears. And lucky may she think herself, if she get another good night's rest in the course of the next three months" (Austen 72).

Northanger Abbey Volume I Chapter X Plot Overview

At the beginning of Chapter 10, Isabella refuses to speak to Mr. Morland for the rest of the evening at the theatre, "'Now, Mr. Morland,' for he was close to her on the other side, 'I shall not speak another word to you all the rest of the evening; so I charge you not to expect it.'" (Austen 55). Just a few moments later, however, "Isabella smiled incredulously, and talked t rest of the evening to James" (Austen 56).

The next day, at the pump-room Catherine had one experience she didn't enjoy. "Catherine immediately took her usual place by the side of her friend. James, who was now in constant attendance, maintained a similar position, and separating themselves from the rest of their party, they walked in that manner for some time, till Catherine began to doubt the happiness of a situation which confining her entirely to her friend and brother, gave her very little share in the notice of either" (Austen 56).

The new goal of conversing with Ms. Tilney was finally reached when Catherine was able to talk to her for a little while and find out a little about Mr. Tilney. "They parted – on Miss Tilney's side with some knowledge of her new acquaintance's feelings, and on Catherine's without the smallest consciousness of having explained them" (Austen 58).

Ms. Austen interrupts her plot once again to inject a thought: "Every young lady may feel for my heroine in this critical moment, for every young lady has at some time or other known the same agitation. All have been, or at least all have believed themselves to be, in danger of pursuit of some one whom they wished to avoid; and all have been anxious for the attentions of some one whom they wished to please" (Austen 59). In Catherine's case the person to avoid was John Thorpe, and the person to whom she had certain affection was Mr. Tilney.

Thankfully Miss Morland was able to dance with Mr. Tilney that evening. This caused her such joy that "she danced in her chair all the way home" (Austen 64).

Northanger Abbey Volume I Chapter IX Plot Overview

In Chapter 9, author Jane Austen begins with a very disheartened Catherine. "The progress of Catherine's unhappiness from the events of the evening, was as follows. It appeared first in a general dissatisfaction with every body about her, while she remained in the rooms, which speedily brought on considerable weariness and a violent desire to go home" (Austen 47).

The next morning, Catherine planned to meet with Ms. Tilney and extend her acquaintance with her brother at the pump-rooms. However a half hour before she planned to depart, two carriages pulled up to the Allen's residence with Isabella and John Thorpe, and her brother, James. They had planned to ride out of Bath for a couple hours drive. Being split up from Isabella and kept in John's close companionship for a little over three hours was definitely not her idea of a jolly good time.

The entire ride, John talked only of himself, how clever he was, and what a good judge of horse and carriage he was. He was very conceited, "the rest of his conversation, or rather talk, began and ended with himself and his own concerns" (Austen 52).

"Catherine listened with astonishment she knew not how to reconcile two such very different accounts of the same thing; for she had not been brought up to understand the propensities of a rattle, nor to know to how many idle assertions and impudent falsehoods the excess of vanity will lead" (Austen 52).

When they finally returned to Bath, Mrs. Allen informed Catherine that she spent a very pleasant afternoon with Ms. Tilney, Mr. Tilney, and Mrs. Hughes, the chaperone. Catherine was very disappointed that she missed such a perfect opportunity to create a new friendship with Ms. Tilney and to get better acquainted with Mr. Tilney.

Northanger Abbey Volume I Chapter VIII Plot Overview

Chapter 8 shows the reader Isabella's intentions with Mr. James Morland. At first it seems that she will stick with Catherine and be a steadfast friend, but Austen quickly makes the reader aware of her true colors.

"Nothing, she declared, should induce her to join the set before her dear Catherine could join it too" but three minutes later, "when Isabella, who had been talking to James on the other side of her, turned again to his sister and whispered, "My dear creature, I am afraid I must leave you, your brother is so amazingly impatient to begin; I know you will not mind my going away, and I dare say John will be back in a moment, and then you may easily find me out" (Austen 40).

Catherine is abandoned for the rest of the night by Isabella in favor of her brother Mr. Morland. This leaves Catherine in a position to attempt to dissuade the company of John Thorpe.

Northanger Abbey Volume I Chapter VII Plot Overview

Chapter 7 brings two new characters into Austen's tale: John Thorpe and James Morland. "Catherine… received her brother with the liveliest pleasure; and he, being of a very amiable disposition, and sincerely attached to her, gave every roof on his side of equal satisfaction, which he could have leisure to do, while the bright eyes of Miss Thorpe were incessantly challenging his notices" (Austen 33).

As noticed in the above quote, both men begin to create a problem for Catherine Morland.

Catherine's brother, James Morland is clearly taken with Isabella, and she with him. This may prove to distract Isabella Thorpe from her new found friendship with Catherine, and leave Ms. Morland without companionship.

John Thorpe is a very odd fellow, one who is incredibly full of himself. Catherine didn't really appreciate his lack of manners, but she was flattered at first by the attention.

"Had she been older or vainer, such attacks might have done little; but, where you and diffidence are united, it requires uncommon steadiness of reason to resist the attraction of being called the most charming girl in the world, and of being so very early engaged as a partner, and the consequence was, that, when the two Morlands, after sitting an hour with the Thorpes, set off to walk together to Mr. Allen's" (Austen 37).

This chapter seems to contain clues to problems that may emerge later on in Ms. Austen's story.

Northanger Abbey Volume I Chapter VI Plot Overview

In the first sentence of Chapter 6 Austen clearly lays out the purpose of the chapter: "The following conversation, which took place between the two friends in the Pump-room one morning, after an acquaintance of eight or nine days, is given as a specimen of their very warm attachment, and of the delicacy, discretion, originality of thought, and literary taste which marked the reasonableness of that attachment" (Austen 27). The rest of the chapter contains a silly conversation between Catherine Morland and Isabella Thorpe.

At one point the conversation gets serious for a moment when Isabella insists her loyalty, "There is nothing I would not do for those who are really my friends. I have no notion of loving people by halves, it is not in my nature. Mu attachments are always excessively strong" (Austen 28). She then goes on to talk about a friend of hers who is "insipid" (29).

Catherine appears very naïve in this conversation, especially when she does not grasp the reasoning behind Isabella's decision to leave immediately after the two young men. When Catherine does comment on their leaving, Isabella says, "I have no notion of treating men with such respect. That is the way to spoil them" (Austen 31).

The relationship between the two girls seems to be getting along beautifully, this author was especially happy that Catherine has found a good friend in Bath.

Northanger Abbey Volume I Chapter V Plot Overview

Chapter V brought fine weather, and the hope of seeing Mr. Tilney again, "for a fine Sunday in Bath empties every house of its inhabitants, and all the world appears on such an occasion to walk about and tell their acquaintance what a charming day it is" (Austen 23). Catherine looks everywhere she can imagine him being, and yet, he is nowhere to be found.

Austen spends the rest of the chapter discussing Catherine and Isabella's blossoming friendship and novel reading. "The progress of the friendship between Catherine and Isabella was quick as its beginning had been warm, and they passed so rapidly through every gradation of increasing tenderness, that there was shortly no fresh proof of it to be given to their friends or themselves" (Austen 24).

Austen seems to take a break from the story on page 25 and devote herself to discussing novels. "For I will not adopt that ungenerous and impolitic custom so common with novel writers, of degrading by their contemptuous censure the very performances, to the number of which they are themselves adding – joining with their greatest enemies in bestowing the harshest epithets on such works, and scarcely ever permitting them to be read by their own heroine, who, if she accidentally take up a novel, is sure to turn over its insipid pages with disgust… I cannot approve of it" (Austen 25).

Northanger Abbey Volume I Chapter IV Plot Overview

The few days that passed between Chapters III and IV were quite a disappointment for Catherine. Mr. Tilney had not made another appearance, though she had made sure to be at every gathering place in the city so as not to miss bumping into him again. Catherine is understandably upset for a little while, and quietly laments the possibility that she read too much into the situation at the Lower Rooms.

Again Mrs. Allen constantly utters the same phrase over and again regarding the lack of acquaintance in the city. Luckily a new day brings some delightful new friends into Mrs. Allen and Catherine Morlands' vacation in Bath, successfully putting a halt to her complaining over the lack of friends. Mrs. Thorpe and her daughters (chiefly the eldest, Isabella) latched on to Mrs. Allen and Catherine immediately. Ms. Isabella Thorpe and her sisters recognize Catherine's last name and exclaim over the good fortune of meeting the sister of one of their brothers' school friends, Mr. James Morland.

Catherine and Isabella got along splendidly: "Catherine was delighted with this extension of her Bath acquaintance, and almost forgot Mr. Tilney while she talked to Miss Thorpe. Friendship is certainly the finest balm for the pangs of disappointed love" (Austen 21).

Northanger Abbey Volume I Chapter III Plot Overview

On the first page of Chapter III, Catherine Morland is formally introduced to Mr. Tilney in the Lower Rooms. During their short conversation Mr. Tilney teases Catherine about her supposed journal. He tells her he believes she will say that she "was strangely harassed by a queer, half-witted man, who would make me dance with him, and distressed me by his nonsense" (Austen 15) and then goes on to state what he WISHES her journal to read: "I danced with a very agreeable young man, introduced by Mr. King; had a great deal of conversation with him – seems a most extraordinary genius – hoe I may know more of him" (Austen 16). They talk of her imaginary journal for some time bantering back and forth regarding the reality of its existence.

Mr. Tilney pays a compliment to the female sex only to rescind it in a backhanded manner. He concludes the topic of writing by leveling the playing field once again, saying "In every power, of which taste is the foundation, excellence is pretty fairly divided between the sexes" (Austen 16). The two young people seem to be getting along splendidly especially on Mr. Tilney's part when he says, "for now we shall soon be acquainted, as I am authorized to tease you on this subject whenever we meet, and nothing in the world advances intimacy so much" (Austen 18).

The reader gets the feeling that they part on good terms with the feeling of future intimacy. In the last paragraph we never find out exactly who dreamt of whom or if any dreaming even occurred, but Austen certainly hinted at some hopeful thinking in Ms. Morlands mind.

Northanger Abbey Volume I Chapter II Plot Overview

In the second chapter of Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey, the reader experiences the farewell between Catherine and her family. Instead of enduring a tearful, heartfelt good0bye full of crying and promises of writing, rather, Catherine is merely told to wrap up warm at night by her mother and given ten guineas by her father. "Every thing indeed relative to this important journey was done, on the part of the Morlands, with a degree of moderation and composure, which seemed rather consistent with the common feelings of common life, than with the refined susceptibilities, the tender emotions which the first separation of a heroine from her family ought always to excite" (Austen 9).

The journey to Bath has only one minor misunderstanding, but it is quickly rectified and the trio (Mr. and Mrs. Allen and Catherine) arrive at their intended location without any further commentary on the journey by the author.

Once in Bath, Mrs. Allen and Catherine did a little shopping in preparation for the entertainment of the Upper Rooms. During her first gathering in the Upper Rooms, Catherine is disappointed by the lack of dance partners, conversations, and acquaintances. Where Catherine is disappointed, Mrs. Allen is distressed on behalf of the lack of dancing that her young charge is able to do. The whole night long, Mrs. Allen seems to begin and end each sentence with "I wish we had a large acquaintance here" (Austen 12). Towards the very end of the party, they sit and exchange a few words at tea, but nothing noteworthy occurred until the very last moment.

On the last page, just as everyone is leaving, Austen remarks, "now was the time for a heroine, who had not yet played a very distinguished part in the events of the evening, to be noticed and admired" (Austen 13). Certainly with a comment like that, the reader can expect some great man to make himself known, but all that Austen allows the reader to be contented with is a simply a comment in passing: "two gentlemen pronounced her to be a pretty girl" (Austen 13).

With an observation like that, Catherine "immediately thought the evening pleasanter than she had found it before – her humble vanity was contented …" (Austen 13).

Catherine Morland: Naive and Ready for the World?

In Chapter I of Northanger Abbey the reader is introduced to the book's "heroin" Catherine Morland. She is seventeen years old and has spent all of her life in the rural area of Fullerton. She is seen as not being very beautiful, intelligent, or wealthy: she is simply average. Austin writes in a way that it seems that Catherine is oblivious to all these things. She is quite content with who she is, and pays little attention to what is going on around her.

Catherine's naivete is most striking. She has a passion for reading novels, which is not a very proper thing for her to be doing at this time, but she cannot read people. Her sweet, caring nature helps to cover some of her inexperience in the world.

In the beginning of the novel Catherine is invited to travel to Bath, of course she is overly excited for the conquest, as her mother is more indifferent to the idea. Catherine sets out to explore the world. We first see her in a large setting of people at a ball, where she dances with no one. And to the reader's dismay, Catherine is quite happy. She feels that just by presenting her self in the
"lady-like" fashion out in society was teh ultimate goal. It does not matter to her at all that she did not interact with anyone besides the people in her party.

It is also at thestart of the novel that the reader really gets to know about Catherine's passion for Gothic novels. She often compares people around her to things in her books. She has a very vivid imagination, yet does not have enough common sense to know is someone is flirting with her or not. One would think that due to the fact that she is quite the avid reader, she would be a better reader of people, or at least more observant.

Northanger Abbey Volume I Chapter I Plot Overview

Northanger Abbey is Jane Austen’s first novel. During the course of the book, Austen seems to be playfully mocking gothic novels while at the same time trying to relay the moral of the story.

The author develops an apparently flawed character in Catherine Morland, imperfect and yet likeable, in the first five chapters of her book. Differing greatly from the common novel heroine (perhaps a great beauty with an unmatched intellect who finds a grand adventure), Austen’s leading lady is only attractive in the most generous meaning of the word. As for her intelligence, Ms. Morland is not entirely stupid, but has no desire to excel in the world of academia. While it is very Modernistic of Austen to write such a “real” character as Catherine Morland, the reader will discover later on in the novel that stark Realism is not the theme of the book - playful Romanticism is.

In chapter I the reader is introduced to Catherine, who, at 17, is the eldest girl in a family of ten. Described by her parents as “almost pretty” (Austen 5), Catherine’s physique changed gradually from that of a “thin awkward figure, sallow skin without colour, dark lank hair, and strong features” (Austen 3) to a girl whose “complexion improved, her features were softened by plumpness and colour, her eyes gained more animation, and her figure more consequence” (Austen 4). A neighboring family, the Allen’s, were heading to Bath for Mr. Allen’s health. His wife invited Catherine along, “probably aware that if adventures will not befall a young lady in her own village, she must seek them abroad” (Austen 7).