Literary+Devices+for+Northanger+Abbey

(http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/characterization?s=t)
 * 1. Characterization**: noun
 * 1) portrayal; description: the actor's characterization of a politician.
 * 2) the act of [|characterizing].
 * 3) the creation and convincing representation of fictitious [|characters].

Characterization is a ubiquitous literary device in Jane Austen’s __Northanger Abbey__. She uses this device to help the reader picture the character in their mind while they are progressing through the story. An example of this is found in the beginning of the story as a direct physical characterization of Catherine Morland, the main character. “She had a thin awkward figure, a sallow skin without colour, dark lank hair, and strong features” (//Northanger Abbey// 7).

In addition to imagery, Austen uses characterization to develop her characters emotionally. She illustrates their dispositions through conversation and direct characterization. An example of this is found in an explanation of Catherine’s outer emotional appearance. “That her heart was affectionate, her disposition cheerful and open, without conceit or affectation of any kind – her manners just removed from the awkwardness and shyness of a girl” (//Northanger Abbey// 12).

“He seemed to be about four or five and twenty, was rather tall, had a pleasing countenance, a very intelligent and lively eye, and, if not quite handsome, was very near it” (//Northanger Abbey// 19). This quote characterizing Henry Tilney is describing Catherine Morland’s judgment of him upon their initial encounter. This shows the vibrant traits that stood out to Catherine and first attracted her to the dashing gentleman. Her ambition for much of the plot is to establish a relationship with Henry and be in his presence as much as she can. If she had not noticed his outstanding traits the story would have been very different and she may have continued to, uninterestedly engage in spending time with Isabella Thorpe’s brother, John.

([]) One conflict in Jane Austen’s __Northanger Abbey__ is unveiled when Catherine’s acquaintances invite her to go on a carriage ride with them. Both males and females will be joining the ride. Catherine talks to Mr. Allen about her next days plans and tells him that she has been invited, but will not be attending because she has already made plans with Miss Tilney. Mr. Allen is glad at hearing this, because he and his wife both see it as improper for boys and girls to be riding together through public areas. Catherine then feels a conflict within herself, because she has previously engaged in these rides. “Dear Madam, then why did not you tell me so before? I am sure if I had known it to be improper, I would not have gone with Mr. Thorpe at all; but I always hoped you would tell me, if you thought I was doing wrong” (//Northanger Abbey// 97). Catherine is at war with her emotions, feeling that she has done wrong and disappointed Mr. and Mrs. Allen.
 * 2. Conflict:** //noun //
 * 1) a fight, battle, or struggle, especially a prolonged struggle; strife.
 * 2) controversy; quarrel: //conflicts between parties.//
 * 3) discord of action, feeling, or effect; antagonism or opposition, as of interests or principles: //a conflict of ideas.//
 * 4) a striking together; collision.
 * 5) incompatibility or interference, as of one idea, desire, event, or activity with another: //a conflict in the schedule.//

In chapter XIII a conflict erupts between Catherine and her best friend, Isabella. John, James, and Isabella want to go on a carriage ride and invite Catherine to come along. However, she has already made plans to walk with the Tilney’s. She is stubborn in her decision to keep plans with the Tilney’s and Isabella gets upset at her refusal to join them. She feels that Catherine is taking herself out of their group and expresses her distress by saying, “I cannot help being jealous, Catherine, when I see myself slighted for strangers!” (//Northanger Abbey// 91). Isabella’s thoughts become reality as Catherine begins to spend more time with the Tilney’s.

The main conflict of the story lies within Catherine. She is introduced to Henry Tilney at the beginning of the novel. She finds him very attractive and spends her time in Bath trying to spend as much time as she can with him. At the end of her time in Bath, Henry’s sister, Eleanor and General Tilney invite her to come back to their home, Northanger Abbey, to spend a few weeks. She is delighted to go. A few weeks after she is at the Abbey, General Tilney mysteriously asks her to leave. This separates her from Henry and she is devastated, but the conflict is resolved a short time later when they are reunited and get married.

([])
 * 3. Atmosphere/Mood:** //noun //
 * 1) a state or quality of feeling at a particular time: //What's the boss' mood today?//
 * 2) a distinctive emotional quality or character: //The mood of the music was almost funereal.//
 * 3) a prevailing emotional tone or general attitude: //the country's mood.//
 * 4) a frame of mind disposed or receptive, as to some activity or thing: //I'm not in the mood to see a movie.//
 * 5) a state of sullenness, gloom, or bad temper.

“…and Catherine felt herself in high luck” (//Northanger Abbey// 19). This quote is a description of how Catherine believes the rest of the ballroom perceives her. She feels eloquent and untouchable in the grasp of Henry and she feels that this mood is dispersing through the room as people see her with the young Tilney.

Austen creates a romantic mood when she describes Catherine’s thought of Henry Tilney, “…she found him as agreeable as she had already given him credit for being. He talked with fluency and spirit – and there was an archness and pleasantry in his manner which interested, though it was hardly understood by her” (//Northanger Abbey// 19). Catherine is enthralled by Henry’s simplistic charm.

When Catherine barges into the Tilney’s home after the discrepancy between herself and John the atmosphere in the room is described in an inexplicable manner, “Whatever might have been felt before her arrival, her eager declarations immediately made every look and sentence as friendly as she could desire” (//Northanger Abbey// 95). This quote makes the reader think of what good or bad happenings may have just occurred in the Tilney home that Catherine interrupted.

([]) One theme that occurs in Austen’s __Northanger Abbey__ is that of lies and deceit. Catherine faces much of this throughout the novel involving her acquaintances of John Thorpe and also with the Tilneys. One particular instance is when Catherine believes that she has scheduled a walk with Miss TIlney. However, when she goes to meet her the servant says that she is not in. As Catherine leaves and looks back, she sees Eleanor walking out of her home with her father. Catherine feels upset at this and is not happy that Eleanor ignored her.
 * 4. Theme:** // noun //
 * 1) a subject of discourse, discussion, meditation, or composition; topic: The need for world [|peace] was the theme of the meeting.
 * 2) a unifying or dominant idea, motif, etc., as in a work of [|art].
 * 3) a short, informal essay, especially a school composition.

A second theme in the novel is society and class. An example of this can be found when General Tilney unexpectedly tells Catherine to leave Northanger Abbey. She is confused of his reasoning until Henry comes to her home and explains the General’s thoughts. He had been told that she was not from good financial means. He did not want someone like this living in his home and asked her to leave. “It was not till the late explanation at Northanger that they had the smallest idea of the false calculations which had hurried him on. That they were false” (//Northanger Abbey// 230). The confusion of Catherine’s position in society led the General to kick her out of the Abbey. Class was very important in this time period and the General would not have an unworthy person living in his home.

A third prevalent theme in the story is youth. The main characters of this novel are all adolescents. Throughout the storyline they grow and learn how to make mature decisions instead of the ignorant ones they had been making before. An example of this can be found in Catherine, who for one instance would go on carriage rides with just John and herself in the carriage. This was seen as unacceptable to Mr. Allen, but upon inquiry Catherine learned of his disapproval and no longer took part in these adventures.

([]) The point of view in __Northanger Abbey__ varies by using the narrator. There are some instances where the narrator talks directly to the reader. “But when a young lady is to be a heroine, the perverseness of forty surrounding families cannot prevent her” (//Northanger Abbey// 11). A second view is a normal one where events are simply described. “Catherine followed her orders and turned away” (//Northanger Abbey// 57). The final view in the novel is free indirect discourse. Catherine’s thoughts and feelings are explained even though the story is being looked at from the view of third person.
 * 5. Point-of-View:** // noun //
 * 1) a specified or stated manner of consideration or appraisal; standpoint: from the point of view of a doctor.
 * 2) an opinion, attitude, or judgment: He refuses to change his point of view in the matter.
 * 3) t he position of the narrator in relation to the story, as indicated by the narrator's outlook from [|which] the events are depicted and by the attitude toward the characters.