“No one who had ever seen Catherine Morland in her infancy would have supposed her born to be an heroine” . The first sentence of Jane Austen’s novel “Northanger Abbey” on its own already suggests that Catherine Morland is, or will be, an heroine, but truly an unlikely one. It notes the future gap between the life of an ideal heroine in a novel and the flawed main character. And when thinking of the common meaning of an heroine in gothic novels, one does indeed expect something different than a young lady’s troublesome way to maturity.
Catherine Morland does not have the childhood of an elegant woman whom is expected to become a heroine. At age 10, she’s described as a girl who preferred cricket to dolls and who liked nothing better than rolling down a grass hill. She was never outstandingly good in either her studies or other activities like playing the piano. Her parents were kind and didn’t believe in forcing their children to grow up a certain way with defined skills and so Catherine grew up the way she was – not extraordinarily smart or in any way impressive. However, when turning 15, she starts to take more interest in her looks and, more importantly, reading gothic novels which largely contribute to her imagination.
Her journey begins when she is asked by Mr. and Mrs. Allen, good friends and neighbors of the Morland’s, to accompany them to the city of Bath for a few weeks. Catherine is utterly thrilled with the prospect of finally being able to face the handsome strangers and all the adventures that await outside her homely environment, as she perceives the real world through the eyes of a passionate reader of gothic novels. It is then that she agrees unconsciously to leave the person she is now behind and start growing.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction: The journey of a young lady begins
- Catherine Morland
- The city of Bath
- Northanger Abbey
- Conclusion
- References
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This term paper aims to analyze the development of Catherine Morland's character in Jane Austen's novel "Northanger Abbey." The paper examines how Catherine's experiences in Bath and her encounters with various characters contribute to her growth and transformation from a naive young lady to a more mature and discerning individual. The paper explores Catherine's journey through the lens of her interactions with different social circles, her evolving understanding of love and relationships, and her increasing awareness of the complexities of social conventions and etiquette.
- The journey of a young lady's development from naivety to maturity
- The influence of different social circles and individuals on Catherine's character development
- The importance of understanding social conventions and etiquette
- The role of love and relationships in Catherine's growth
- The contrast between Catherine's initial perception of the world through the lens of gothic novels and her developing awareness of reality
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The introduction highlights the contrast between Catherine's initial portrayal as an unlikely heroine and her potential for growth and transformation. The paper explores Catherine's upbringing and her initial fascination with gothic novels, setting the stage for her journey of self-discovery.
The chapter "The city of Bath" focuses on Catherine's arrival in Bath and her initial encounters with the complexities of high society. It examines how Catherine's naivety and lack of social experience make her susceptible to manipulation by characters like Isabella and John Thorpe. The chapter also analyzes Catherine's developing relationships with Henry Tilney and his sister, Eleanor, who challenge her preconceptions and guide her towards a more nuanced understanding of the world.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The key terms and concepts explored in this term paper include Catherine Morland's character development, the influence of social circles and individual characters, the role of love and relationships, the importance of understanding social conventions and etiquette, and the contrast between Catherine's initial perception of the world through the lens of gothic novels and her developing awareness of reality.
- Quote paper
- Julia Schönmann (Author), 2013, Catherine Morland. The growth of a heroine’s mind, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/273312
