Northanger Abbey - A Refresher - Jane Austen articles and blog

As the world around us turns from green to crimson and amber, and the forest floors build a carpet of acorns and leaves, there's nothing I enjoy more than retreating inside with a good read. At this time of year, I'm all about the gothic; spooky castles, family secrets and doors concealing mysteries yet to be revealed. Oh, and moonlight. Lots of moonlight.

I think this is a great time in the reading year to revisit Northanger Abbey. One of Austen's less well-read books, Northanger Abbey is possibly the closest thing to actual genre fiction our favourite author penned. As a satire of the Gothic novel, Northanger Abbey gives us a look into what Austen thought of one of her period's favourite literary phenomena.

Context

Northanger Abbey was probably written at the turn of the nineteenth century, but wouldn't be published until 1817, shortly after Jane Austen's death. The novel's first title was Susan, then, after someone else nabbed the title, it was changed to Catherine. It is unclear how it came to be titled Northanger Abbey, but it is indeed very Gothic to name your novel after its setting. Think Nightmare Abbey, The Castle of Otranto or Wuthering Heights.

Gothic novels were booming in popularity during Austen's youth. The Gothic style is all about eerie architecture, dark secrets, waifish ladies and just a smidge of the supernatural. It's the ancestor of the horror genre and many gothic novels would now be categorised thus - think Dracula and Frankenstein. The genre was incredibly popular with young ladies, who were stereotyped as being susceptible to the sensationalistic content of the novels. An advertisement penned by Austen before her death expresses some anxiety than in the intervening decade between pen and publication, "places, manners, books, and opinions have undergone considerable changes." Maybe so, but the Gothic remained popular for decades after Jane Austen's death, with some of the most popular titles - Frankenstein and Dracula included - yet to be published in 1817. Turns out, the Victorian period was a fertile time for fear of the unknown.

The novel (no spoilers!)

Jane Austen was acutely aware of the emerging trends in fiction and of the stereotypes about the young female readers of Gothic fiction. This is where we meet Catherine Morland, the protagonist of Northanger Abbey.

Young, naive, and precocious seventeen-year-old Catherine Morland is 'in training for a heroine' when she arrives in Bath for the season. She is staying with her wealthy neighbours, the Allens, who introduce her to the daughter of their friend, Isabella Thorpe. Isabella shares Catherine's love for Gothic fiction, introducing her to the writing of Ann Radcliffe. Catherine is also introduced to the dashing Henry Tilney, who invites her to stay at his family home, Northanger Abbey.

Despite having a name brimming with sensational potential, Northanger Abbey is not the Gothic fortress of Catherine's dreams. Still, her overactive imagination leads her to believe there is something sinister going on in the Tilney household. Throughout the novel, Austen pokes fun at the conventions of the Gothic genre, making the novel a great satirical palate cleanser between spooky season reads.

Adaptations

Northanger Abbey has proved a less popular adaptation prospect than most of Austen's other works. The most widely appreciated is likely the 2007 ITV adaptation starring Felicity Jones as Catherine Morland and JJ Feild as Henry Tilney.

Northanger Abbey - A Refresher

Context

The novel (no spoilers!)

Adaptations

Obviously, we'd love to see another. Who is in your Northanger Abbey dream cast?

If you're thinking of reading or rereading Northanger Abbey this Autumn, why not treat yourself to a new copy from our gift shop?

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