For Friday: Austen, Northanger
Abbey, Chs. 10-15 (pp.46-87)
Answer TWO of the following...
1. Chapter 14 is a delightful
discussion of books and taste, in which narrator readily admits that “It was no
effort to Catherine to believe that Henry Tilney could never be wrong. His manner might sometimes surprize, but his
meaning must always be just” (Norton 79).
How are we supposed to read their budding romance in these chapters? Is it truly a match of equals, or is Henry
somewhat condescending towards her as a ‘weak’ woman? How are we supposed to read/appreciate this
match?
2. How does Catherine continue to
mistake fiction with reality, and allow her aesthetic views to color her
personal decisions and beliefs? In other
words, how does she expect life to ‘read’ like a novel, and how does Austen
satirize (however lightly) her views in doing so?
3. In what way does Austen distinguish
Henry Tilney from the other characters in Bath (Thrope, Mrs. Allen, Isabella,
etc.)? Is he, despite his sex, closer to
the voice and wit of the narrator (who we assume to be Austen)? How do we feel the narrator, herself, feels
about him (besides the fact that he is only “very near” being handsome)?
4. A consistent theme in Austen’s
novels is the entrance of a young woman into society. However, such a rite of passage requires
experienced chaperones to guide her on her way.
How does Austen satirize the idea of a young woman’s education—and in
this case, into the social wilds of Bath?
What dangers or missteps does she encounter that were all too real for
women in Austen’s time?
Ashley Bean
ReplyDelete1. I can't make up my mind of this. I am a hopeless romantic, so on one hand I love this match. They are fun and carefree and love to read, and aren't afraid to admit it. But, in other instances, she has almost become obsessed with him and he does seem to belittle her a few times. I'm not sure if he means it, but his sister vouches for him. I do feel that they are equals, but on different things. Sure, he knows about art and history. I feel like there's more to Catherine than we are seeing.
3. I really want to think we are supposed to like him. I have liked him, though something seems fishy. She seems to either like him or be satirizing him, and I'm not sure which yet. It like Prince Hans in Frozen, I really liked him but I knew something evil was going on. I love his carefree attitude in the beginning and I love that he reads. He's brighter than any of the other characters, I have a better image of him than anyone else. I feel like he's very intelligent in different ways than Catherine and that may clash sometimes. While Catherine is more immature and silly, Henry is mature but also will admit his love for novels. I'm just not sure what he is yet.
I think they are an ideal match, but as with all good matches, each one requires a little education. Henry is used to teasing his sister and merely tolerating other inane women, so he's a bit arch and dismissive of women. He is surprised when Catherine has strong opinions about things, as she does with history, etc. But she, too, needs to realize that her own education is quite limited, and his guidance can help her see and appreciate her world more effectively. But Henry is mysterious, especially since he becomes strangely muted around his father...perhaps there's more to him than the dashing gentleman? (as I mentioned in a comment below, he's really a werewolf).
Delete-Rocky Moore
ReplyDelete1. I think their budding romance is a unique one. On one hand we have a man who so far from what he have read has a somewhat high level of education and intelligence about himself and on the other hand we have a younger girl who seems inattentive and somewhat stupid as Austen describes but is desperate to be accepted by those who she thinks are much smarter than her. She is in obvious infatuation of Mr. Tilney and I think he knows that and in many ways he is just as fond of her. Just because he pokes fun of her like when he makes fun of her misusing the word nicely doesn't necessarily mean he thinks less of her. Their family is obviously very welcoming to her and have grown fond of her as well. Mr. Tilney seems to like her to the point he thinks it necessary to show off his intelligence to her by flirting in his own way by teasing her. Their relationship is actually a very interesting one and Austen seems to make me want to read more and more and see where it ends up.
3. He seems to be written about it the most honorable way than any other character. I think this has a lot to do with the fact that he is the one person who her heroine cannot stop thinking about, thus making him a very valuable character to the novel. I think the biggest point taken away so far from his character that makes me think he's someone that Austen puts her own personality into is when Catherine and Mr. Tilney are talking about novels. Catherine thinks he would respond to her question about liking novels as Mr. Thorpe did when he said they were the stupidest things on Earth but in fact was quite contradicted when he responded much differently. How ironic that the man Austen's heroine adores so much has an insight to novels from a man's perspective that be so logical and a much more educated answer on the stance, especially an answer that Catherine is in much favor for. It is these little moments that you can feel Austen is using Tilney in a way where she can infuse her opinions through him.
Great responses; in many ways, Austen wants to combine Henry and Catherine's ideas and ways of reading, as if to say, there doesn't have to be 'male' or 'female' books. Good books are good irregardless of gender. And women should be educated like men to read good books. Tilney reflects many of Austen's ideas, but then at times so does Catherine, particularly when they argue about history being too "male."
Delete2. Catherine does things that you would really only expect to be done in a book, not reality. She finds the Tilney’s house by her own accord and goes there uninvited to speak to Miss Tilney. Also, later she bursts into their house, uninvited and unannounced, to let them know that there has been a misunderstanding. These things, though they could happen in reality, seem unlikely to be done by any everyday person. She does very dramatic things at times.
ReplyDelete3. I think if we presume the narrator is Austen, then I would imagine Mr. Tilney suits her very well. He is a lover of novels and is unashamed of informing Catherine of this. He seems to be wittier than Thorpe and more down-to-earth than Mrs. Allen. She seems to write him as sort of the ideal man for Catherine and maybe even herself.
Right, Catherine is audacious in her innocence: she does all the wrong things by being "right." If she likes someone, she tells them, even though it might cost her a husband *some men might find her too emotional!). Yet Henry is clearly charmed by these qualities, since they are very rarely encountered in Bath. Of course, the question is, how authentic can you afford to be in real life...when do you have to act/control yourself?
Delete1. I don’t think we are supposed to read this chapter as if they are unequal characters. He openly discusses novels with Catherine and tells her that all men read them, they just don’t admit it. He even takes time to explain art and drawing to her and he doesn’t do it in a condescending way. I think this budding romance is a good thing because they are perfect for each other in a way that Thorpe and Catherine never could be.
ReplyDelete3. I think Mr. Tilney is a special character because he seems to be one of the few that is himself all the time. He doesn’t seem to be putting on a different face depending on who he is with. He is a very witty man and that shows by the way he acts with his sister and Catherine on their walk. He had the same relationship with his sister in front of Catherine as he would have at their own home. I think the narrator thinks Mr. Tilney is a gentleman and one who is worthy to marry Catherine and her innocence.
Good points--what distinguishes him is his openness and refusal to play games; indeed, he even mocks what he is "supposed" to say at Bath to a new acquaintance. Yet he becomes strange and distant around his father, as if he's hiding something...perhaps he is a dark, Gothic character after all? (spoiler: he's a werewolf).
Delete1. Catherine is acting like any young girl with her first love. She is so infatuated with the first man to ever truly give her any attention that she is blinded and cannot see his faults. Hence why she finds him to be perfect. Yes, he is flawed, but he is not a "bad guy." I think that we, as the readers, are supposed to appreciate and support this match that is probably the closest to equals we are going to see. It is the typical Austen in which they both need to help "fix" each other.
ReplyDelete3. He is clearly the most likable character. He doesn't seem shallow or fake or stupid, like most of the other people we have been introduced to. He reads, he has somewhat intelligent things to say, and he doesn't conform to social norms. Basically, he is the exact opposite of what is expected and that makes him refreshing and enjoyable. He is very similar to the narrator, yes. He shares her passion for books and a few other such qualities. I believe that the narrator is quite fond of him and might even be pushing Catherine towards him.
Yes, she is clearly dazzled by him since he pays attention to her and wants to talk to her--and wants her to listen. Thorpe doesn't care what she wants to talk about, since he wants to talk about horses and gigs. Of course, he might assume she's a little more unformed than she truly is, and I think he's used to women being somewhat empty vessels...but he clearly isn't used to women being so open and honest, and that's what attracts him. So perhaps it IS a good match? :)
ReplyDelete2. Catherine creates an entire scenario in her head concerning the incident where she passed them in the carriage with the Thorpes after being lied to that the Tilney walk was cancelled. She automatically assumes the most dramatic and dreadful fate. This leads her to ignore the social norms of that time awkwardly spewing out all the details and mishaps to Eleanor and then Henry. She also seems oblivious that she is revealing her feelings for Henry during her first conversation with Eleanor. An example of Austen’s satire concerning this is seen in the repeated instances where Catherine is oblivious to the reality of situations. To name a few, for quite some time she is oblivious to John’s interest of her, ignorant of the romance between her brother and Isabella, and unaware that Henry is flirting via the marriage metaphor during their dance.
ReplyDelete3. Austen must be fond of Henry. He is different from all the other men. He is very artful, loves novels, and is a linguist. Henry listens to Catherine which is an anomaly admits all the characters who just talk at her. Although he is aware of Catherine’s ignorance and inexperience he takes time to teach her.