To What Extent Is Northanger Abbey a Gothic Novel?

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To What Extent Is Northanger Abbey a Gothic Novel?

Northanger Abbey is Jane Austen's first novel, written between 1789-9 under the draft name of "Susan". Northanger Abbey is more of a gothic parody, along with many other themes and genres. It was written in a time of war, sensibility and liberation. Austen was part of a large family, which is reflected in our protagonist Catherine: the fourth child from a family of ten children.

Austen loved to read, popular novels like Evelina and The Mysteries of Udolpho were published during her childhood and coming of age. The novels greatly influenced her writing genre and tone. In 1787, aged just 12 Austen wrote short, parodic, fictional pieces known as her Juvenilia, establishing her tone in the process.

The cult of "sensibility" was a late 18th century social convention of the upper class that showed people how to express their emotions, especially women, often in an exaggerated manner. In Chapter 17, when Catherine is invited to go to Northanger Abbey it "wound up Catherine's feelings to the highest point of ecstasy...Catherine's feelings were now safely lodged in perfect bliss; and with spirits elated to rapture...Her passion for