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Margret Oliphant’s The Rector is an ideal example of Victorian realism. Victorian realism is defined as centering on everyday experiences, the inner struggle of an individual, the emphasis or redefinition of morals, as well as the connection between an individual and their greater social context. The story The Rector focuses on the Rector, Mr. Proctor,Continue reading ““The Rector” and Victorian Realism”

In “This Lime Tree Bower My Prison” by Samuel Coleridge, there are many aspects of the poem that make it distinguishable as being a part of the Romantic movement in accordance with Wordsworth’s “Preface to Lyrical Ballads.” The first thing about the poem that strikes me as Romantic in nature is the kind of languageContinue reading “This Lime-Tree Bower my Prison and Preface to Lyrical Ballad”

Within Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen, we are introduced to a variety of characters. Our central character of Catherine Morland is challenged throughout as she is the “hero” of the story, but what is a hero without a good villain. A villain is one that stands within the heroes’ way as they achieve their desires.Continue reading “Northanger Abbey: Villains”

Gothicism emerges from Romanticism, and carves out a name for itself with its suspenseful, twisted devices that examine human suffering, life’s purpose and value (or lack thereof) and a distinct fear for the unknown. Northanger Abbey relies on its parodying of Gothic novels in order to create a sense of suspense and anxiety despite itsContinue reading “Gothicism and Austen: A Comedic Duo”

     Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen carries the tradition typically seen in British literature  (for the time period) of women being pursed in a manner that might be seen as toxic today. Men pursuing women is nothing new; however, with a 21st century lens we can understand more fully the problematic traits that (perhaps) peopleContinue reading “A Villain in Jane Austen’s “Northanger Abbey””

Kayli Dutton Theresa Traver English 277 24 February 2020 Northanger Abbey Blog Post     In Jane Austen’s “Northanger Abbey”, no villain is clearly identified. Although, many readers of this novel seem to come to the conclusion that John Thorpe (arguably the novel’s most controversial character), very closely resembles that of a typical literary villain. JohnContinue reading “John Thorpe: The Villain”

We have all had that friend. The one you thought was your friend, that was cooler and more experienced. But in reality, this person, wasn’t in any way a real friend. This friend always knew; who liked who, and what to wear, and the fun places to go. And yet, when you went with themContinue reading “Sickly Sweet Friend”

The villain is a collection of characters because in this novel one has to stretch the meaning of the villain. When I think of a villain I think of a person who is malicious in their intent. The characters don’t really fit that description. When Austen wrote this story she implied that Catherine is aContinue reading “Northanger Villains”

 The characters of Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen are all a product of their environment and thus, there is no character who is a clear “villain” in the story (however, granted, there are some jerks).  Instead, I’d like to argue that obsessive classism is the true evil in Northanger Abbey.  A coming of age story,Continue reading “No Villains, Just Jerks”

On a surface level, it might be easy to dismiss Northanger Abbey as a work without a overarching villain, and instead one with only minor antagonists. However, there is a character who fits the characterization of villain, albeit to a less exaggerated and more realistic brand of villain. This character is General Tilney who, throughContinue reading “The Villain of Northanger Abbey”