Through close reference to the novel as a whole explain to what extent you think this is an accurate assessment of Catherine.

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‘Catherine’s folly lies not in indulging her taste for melodramatic literature but in imposing its values on the life around her.’

Through close reference to the novel as a whole explain to what extent you think this is an accurate assessment of Catherine.

‘Northanger Abbey’ arose partially as a response to the popular novels of the time, principally it satirises the form and conventions of the Gothic genre, so sick is Austen of their absurd unrealism, “pictures of perfection as you know make me sick and wicked.” In Catherine, Austen takes a realistic character that the reader can identify with, using her failings to teach a universal lesson, the dangers of imagination uncontrolled by reason. Whereas Austen’s attack on the Gothic genre is merely a personal disapproval, through Catherine the author attempts to highlight the dangerous consequences of false allusions based on the books one reads (not necessarily gothic fiction), a message relevant to all.

Through the course of the novel there are numerous references to traits of the Gothic novel, whereby Austen parodies these elements or turns them on their head. This is primarily evident in the characteristics of the novels’ central protagonist, Catherine. The reader is introduced to Catherine as the most unlikely of heroines, “her mind about as ignorant and uninformed as the female mind at seventeen usually is.” We discover skills such as music do not come naturally to her, indeed she is “often inattentive and occasionally stupid” and would much prefer to be outside, “fond of all boys’ plays.” Indeed for much of the novel she is portrayed as an anti-heroine, a realistic character through which Austen can convey the dangers of silly novel reading, as Catherine fails to distinguish between reality and gothic fiction.

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Rather than displaying the ‘vigorous sagacity and lofty fortitude’ of a typical Gothic heroine Catherine is naive, deficient in experience and perception. Essentially Catherine’s misguided interpretation of the world around her stems from this acute naivety. For instance she is unable to detect the falseness of Isabella, despite her exaggerated exclamations, “I have been waiting for you at least this age”, and selfish manner, evident when she urges Catherine to cheer up  “do not be so dull my dearest creature” but only so that she will not bring her down as well, “you will quite break my heart.” Catherine’s inability ...

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