Category Archives: Uncategorized

Does Northanger Abbey actually have a villain? What, exactly, is a villain?  The first of several definitions says a villain is “a character in a story or play who opposes the hero.” Initially it might seem like this is a good fit for the Thorpes, maybe even General Tilney. However, the word “opposition” brings doubtContinue reading “John Thorpe Isn’t the Villain!”

         Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen has several characters that would fit the prototype of a villain; however, General Tilney’s attitude and mannerisms make him stand out as when compared to the rest of the villains featured. While it is considered normal for families to judge and choose spouses based on financial resources, the General’s thoughts andContinue reading “Northanger Abbey Villain”

During our class discussion, we analyzed the characters found in Northanger Abbey and listed some of their defining characteristics. After evaluating John Thorpe, our class came up with rude, possessive, arrogant, aggressive, manipulative, and a drunk as some of the deciding factors of his temperament.  Of course, Thorpe isn’t trying to thwart Catherine or tieContinue reading “The Villainous John Thorpe of Northanger Abbey”

Due to the context in which this novel was written, It may be hard for a class of American students in 2020 to understand various aspects of the socioeconomic and class driven culture in which Catherine Morland finds herself. The first aspect that comes to mind in which there may be a disconnect for presentContinue reading “Northanger Abbey and Present Day Readership”

Northanger Abbey is a direct parody of the gothic novel, and in that way, Austen is not discouraging readership of gothic novels but rather making fun of the silly girls. The first sentence of the novel sets the tone of mockery by stating, “No one who had seen Catherine Morland in her infancy, would haveContinue reading “Northanger Abbey and the Gothic Novel”

In terms of present day readership, there are several issues that might make Northanger Abbey difficult to read. References to Gothic literature (like The Monk) and social expectations of the time (such as courtship and gender roles) might disorient readers who have little context or knowledge on such materials and history. With that being said,Continue reading “Northanger Abbey: Problems for 21st Century Readers”

I think the most challenging thing for 21st-century readers with this text is not only the language but the context, as we’ve discussed in class there are alot of things a reader would need to know before fully going into the novel. Such as the class structure, most people think that Catherine and Henry wouldContinue reading “Northanger Abbey”

When we look for a new book to read, especially in this modern day, most readers tend to reach for something that would be a bit relatable to them. While we still enjoy the “classics” of literature there is a toughness to them. This is especially true for Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen. From theContinue reading “Northanger Abbey Post”

At first glance, Jane Austen’s novel Northanger Abbey doesn’t seem to have a villain.  It is true that there is no obvious villain in the traditional sense; there is no murderer, monster, or evil schemer that thwarts Catherine every step of the way.  However, in a much more realistic manner, there are characters that careContinue reading “The Villain of Northanger Abbey”

While I admit that there is no blatantly obvious, conventional “villain” in Northanger Abbey, there is definitely an antagonistic force to Catherine in the form of John Thorpe. John Thorpe shares many traits of rakes in that era of literature; he’s self centered, under-handed, a manipulator, and sees the main character as a sexual conquestContinue reading “Northanger Abbey Blog Post Enea 277”