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.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Northanger Abbey Volume I Chapter III Plot Overview
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Mr. Tilney and Catherine meet:
ReplyDeleteIt is in this chapter that we met Mr. Tilney. He flirts with Catherine and says how she is going to mention him in her journal when she writes in it that night. Catherine take a liking to his sense of humor, as Mr. Tilney anxiously awaits her response to his flirtations. Just the fact that Mr. Tilney was willing to dance with Catherine and enjoy it for that matter is very critical. Catherine, the tomboy, did not have any dance partners at the start of this party, and she did not care for that matter.But this man's initiative for approaching her to dance, really impresses her.
Another aspect of the convirsation to pay aention to is the fact that Mr.Tiney has no problem mocking society and the cerimonies taking place that night. It's very amusing to Catherine that someon is feeling the same way she is.