Back on the Bandwagon: Northanger Abbey

“All [women] have been, or at least have believed themselves to be, in danger from the pursuit of some one whom they wished to avoid; and all have been anxious for the attentions of some one whom they wished to please.” Pg. 54-55

I just couldn’t take it another week.  I had to hop back on the Jane Austen bandwagon.  No other style of writing is quite as fascinating to me.  Surprisingly, Northanger Abbey was a bit of a fresh twist in comparison to Austen's other novels.  Obviously it centers on her typical plot line of a woman finding a man, but the naivety and inner conflict of the main character as she pursues one man and completely avoids another creates a ludicrous cycle of utter felicity and complete disappointment while exploring the rollercoaster of youthful society.

Although most of her novels touch on some of youthful society’s ridiculous civilities and the empty headedness many conduct themselves with, this novel seems drown itself in mockery of it.  The novel sets a satirical tone with a constant sarcasm about the ways, formality, and communication in England's youth.  Throughout the novel, it constantly mocks the misunderstandings and chaotic agonizing over matters of very little importance.  It’s almost as if Austen characterizes the whole of women as hysterical, worrisome, fretful, delicate ninnies and the men as dense, tiresome, and overwhelmingly conceited.  To me, I could not help but detect that Austen had written this novel under extreme dejection and distaste for social custom and behavior.

(Isabella’s reaction after a day of separation) “It was ages since she had had a moment’s conversation with her dearest Catherine; and, though she had such thousands of things to say to her, it appeared as if they were never to be together again; so, with smiles of most exquisite misery, and the laughing eye of utter despondency, she bade her friend adieu and went on.” Pg. 48-49  

After being under the distress of reading non-classic novels, this beautifully written piece is exactly what I needed.  The parallel of my distaste modern literature and Austen’s frustration with youthful folly of her society almost creates a sort of bond that gives me ineffable enjoyment in reading this book.  I can’t wait to continue.