Improbable Stereotypes In Northanger Abbey By Jane Austen

Northanger Abbey Historical/Cultural Perspective

- Dylan Condo

Northanger Abbey was written by Jane Austen during the Georgian Era in England (1714-1830). However, when Austen was in the process of writing the novel, her present time is now history so how history and the Georgian Era influenced the text and are differences in society from then to now evident.

It is important to realise that the novel was written by Austen during a time period where King George and his sons had the throne up until the Regency Era. During that time, society and social norms were very different to today. The novel was to be contrast to the extremely popular gothic novels of that time. “The substance of its papers so often consisting in the statement of improbable

“First impressions last” is true to an extent and has been for a very long time. Nowadays when we meet a new person, within a mere few seconds we make up our mind and idea on what that person is like. On multiple accounts within the novel, a character’s opinion on another character stems from their perception of them. For example, when Isabella meets Frederick Tilney she redirects her attention and desire from James; whom she is engaged to for most of the novel, to Frederick due to his wealth. Even though she was originally attracted to James for his perceived wealth as well. Another example is General Tilney’s discovery that Catherine Morland was raised from a family who is close to living in poverty. When John Thorpe tells General Tilney that the Morlands were poor, his view on the family immediately changed from utmost respect to condescending. This is since it was believed that if someone was not raised being fed by a silver spoon and having all the money in the world, they were almost like a nobody and shouldn’t be as respected as someone who is rich. An extremely naive perception however it was common in the era that Northanger Abbey was written

Although they are similar, there are differences. Bath was a wealthy town in Georgian England. It wasn’t like the country side town, Fullerton that Catherine was raised in. Catherine’s father was a Clergy which in Georgian times was classified as middle class and near upper class. “Her father was a clergyman, without being neglected, or poor, and a very respectable man, though his name was Richard – and he had never been handsome” Ch. 1. suggested her social class was just an average person. Social classes in the 1700-1800s decided how one were to live and what career path they would follow. Bath was known to be a town home to the upper class and rich families and therefore it was a privilege that Catherine was able to visit, especially due to her being in the middle class. The upper class consisted mostly of soldiers (usually officers), politicians and high-status people. On most occasions, an upper-class individual would not marry someone of a lower class to the stereotypes previously mentioned. This directly relates to why General Tilney was furious when he was told that Catherine was wealthy. This is because his interest in Catherine was founded upon his hope for Catherine to support his home and other expenses. He intended for her to marry Henry in order to combine the wealth of their two families. Catherine had a different idea and wanted Henry for his personality, the idea