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).