Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey : the education of Catherine Morland.

This thesis argues for a view of Austen's Northanger Abbey as the story of Catherine Morland, a young woman in search of an education. While Catherine's formal training has been nominal before the novel's beginning, the heroine attains various types of education in a short span of time, thereafter. First, a consideration of Catherine's emotional development reveals the girl learning how to balance sensibility with a proper understanding. Second, a look at the heroine's social progress in the various realms of walking, carriage riding, gossiping, dancing, and marrying, shows her achieving an education which discloses both literal and symbolic meanings behind these public activities. Third, a consideration of Catherine's intellectual education brings to the fore the importance of reading the right kinds of materials and discussing them with well-informed companions. Fourth, a feminist interpretation of the heroine's education and mentors presents complexities, even as it aids in understanding Catherine's development.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.A.

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Grantor

Baylor University.

Year dc:date.issued

2000

Author dc:creator

• Estep, Amanda E.

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Barcus, James E., 1938-

• Austen, Jane, 1775-1817. Northanger Abbey.
• Austen, Jane, 1775-1817 -- Characters -- Catherine Morland.
• English fiction -- 19th century -- History and criticism.

Statement dc:rights

• Baylor University works are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. Contact libraryquestions@baylor.edu for inquiries about permission.

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/2104/14825

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:baylor-ir.tdl.org:2104/14825