Northanger Abbey

Catherine Morland, a "passably pretty" 17-year-old girl, is invited to Northanger Abbey, the estate of a family friend who lives in Bath. Catherine is a typically uncultivated girl tho dislikes being restricted, experiences difficulty with cleanliness, and would rather play cricket with her brothers. She lives with her father who is a clergyman and her mother who is a competent, unemotional wife. When Catherine arrives at Northanger Abbey she meets General Tilney, master of the estate, and his son Henry. Henry almost immediately begins to tease her and question her, but he is charming with an imperturbable common sense which is more welcome than any pretensions of a Gothic hero. Catherine who reads Gothic romance novels feels a sense of drama when shown around the palatial residence. There are padlocked doors, mysterious passageways, cryptic messages, unfinished stories that excite her adolescent sense of alienation. But Henry notices her willingness to be titillated by such occurrences and reminds her that civility makes it possible for people to live together and be happy with a prospect for social consensus. Theatricality gives way to wonderful realism, and Catherine is introduced to this new authentic world. She is shown the difference between helpful arrangements which permit individuals to think and feel for themselves and unhelpful ones which advocate a lifestyle that avoids thinking and feeling. She also sees how people can make a mockery of distinction and value the visible signs of social success: fine clothing, carriages, and fashionable marriages. Catherine refuses to interfere with everyone's business and admits when she is at fault. Her unselfish spirit makes her thankful for this great education and the teachers that have made her evolution into womanhood possible.Please Note: This book is easy to read in true text, not scanned images that can sometimes be difficult to decipher. The Microsoft eBook has a contents page linked to the chapter headings for easy navigation. The Adobe eBook has bookmarks at chapter headings and is printable up to two full copies per year. Both versions are text searchable.