Bachelor Thesis from the year 2009 in the subject Didactics for the subject English - Literature, Works, grade: 1, University of Gdansk, course: English Literature, language: English, abstract: The parody of Gothicism emerged as a reaction against its conventions, just as Gothic novel itself was directed against the rationality of Neoclassicism. At first, the Gothic novel gained great interest of the readers, the genre developed rapidly and many writers, like Clara Reeve, Mary Shelley or Charles Maturin contributed to this kind of fiction. However, the set of conventions established by Horace Walpole and then developed by Mrs. Radcliffe, became a point of reference for Jane Austen to create a novel titled Northanger Abbey, which became an outstanding parody of the conventions. Thus, Jane Austen reused many Gothic elements, retold the story in a parodying way in order to show the silliness and artificiality of the genre.

Essay from the year 2003 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Literature, grade: 2,0, University of Duisburg-Essen, language: English, abstract: Why is Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey often referred to as a parody of the Gothic novel?_ Jane Austen (1775-1817) is often regarded as the greatest English female novelist. Her novels are praised for their underlieing social comedy and thorough description of human relationships. She lived and worked during a time predominated by novels of sentiment, sensation and sensibility. However she stayed aloof from this literary style and especially her novel Northanger Abbey is often regarded to as a parody of the Gothic novel. Main authors of these so called ‘Gothic’ romances are for example Ann Radcliffe, Horace Walpole and M.G. Lewis. The Gothic novel has its origins in the Middle Ages and deals with mysterious, frightening, fantastic, supernatural, sexual and sublime things. The stories seem rather ridiculous to us today. The reader always finds similar characters and plots in those novels: “the tyrannical father, the importunate and unscrupulous suitor, the hero and heroine of sensibility and of mysterious but noble birth, the confidante[...], the chaperone.”1 The heroine is always unbelievable beautiful but weak and virtuous. Then she is threatened by a veil man and saved by the hero in the end. In contrast to such a story Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey is often considered as a “amusing and bitingly satirical pastiche of the ‘Gothic’ romances popular in her day.”2 [...] _____ 1 Mudrick, Marvin: Irony versus Gothicism. In: Jane Austen: Northanger Abbey and Persuasion. Edited by B.C. Southam. MacMillan Education Ltd. Hampshire, London. 1986 (Casebook Series); page 75 2 Austen, Jane: Northanger Abbey. Penguin Popular Classics. London. 1994; blurb

Essay from the year 2003 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Literature, grade: 2,0, University of Duisburg-Essen, 4 entries in the bibliography, language: English, abstract: Why is Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey often referred to as a parody of the Gothic novel?_ Jane Austen (1775-1817) is often regarded as the greatest English female novelist. Her novels are praised for their underlieing social comedy and thorough description of human relationships. She lived and worked during a time predominated by novels of sentiment, sensation and sensibility. However she stayed aloof from this literary style and especially her novel Northanger Abbey is often regarded to as a parody of the Gothic novel. Main authors of these so called 'Gothic' romances are for example Ann Radcliffe, Horace Walpole and M.G. Lewis. The Gothic novel has its origins in the Middle Ages and deals with mysterious, frightening, fantastic, supernatural, sexual and sublime things. The stories seem rather ridiculous to us today. The reader always finds similar characters and plots in those novels: "the tyrannical father, the importunate and unscrupulous suitor, the hero and heroine of sensibility and of mysterious but noble birth, the confidante[...], the chaperone."1 The heroine is always unbelievable beautiful but weak and virtuous. Then she is threatened by a veil man and saved by the hero in the end. In contrast to such a story Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey is often considered as a "amusing and bitingly satirical pastiche of the 'Gothic' romances popular in her day."2 [...] _____ 1 Mudrick, Marvin: Irony versus Gothicism. In: Jane Austen: Northanger Abbey and Persuasion. Edited by B.C. Southam. MacMillan Education Ltd. Hampshire, London. 1986 (Casebook Series); page 75 2 Austen, Jane: Northanger Abbey. Penguin Popular Classics. London. 1994; blurb

"Northanger Abbey" by Jane Austen, one of the most celebrated authors in English literature and the mastermind behind classics such as "Pride and Prejudice" and "Sense and Sensibility", is a perfect blend of satire, romance, and insightful social commentary. With "Northanger Abbey", Austen crafts an ingenious critique of Gothic fiction while showcasing her well-loved narrative flair. In this captivating novel, readers meet Catherine Morland, an imaginative and naive young woman whose world is largely shaped by the Gothic novels she devours. As Catherine gets an opportunity to visit the imposing and mysterious Northanger Abbey, her overactive imagination, fuelled by her reading habits, causes a series of misunderstandings and misinterpretations that lead to humorous yet enlightening incidents. Austen takes advantage of Catherine's naivety and whimsical fantasies to parody the popular Gothic novels of her time, offering readers a delightful satire that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. She brilliantly demonstrates how literature, especially the sensational and dramatic, can sway impressionable minds and skew their perception of reality. However, "Northanger Abbey" is not just a parody of Gothic fiction; it's also an astute exploration of the gender and class dynamics that were prevalent in 18th-century England. Through her nuanced depiction of Catherine's experiences and interactions, Austen provides sharp insights into the societal norms, expectations, and prejudices of her time. "Northanger Abbey" remains a testament to Austen's ability to create timeless narratives that resonate even in the modern world. Whether you are a Jane Austen aficionado or someone venturing into her world for the first time, this novel's blend of humor, romance, and satire is bound to provide an engaging and enlightening reading experience. Keywords: Jane Austen, Northanger Abbey, Gothic Fiction, Satire, Romance, Social Commentary, Societal Norms, Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility.

Newly married to her beloved Henry, Catherine's eyes are now open to the grownup pleasures of wedded life. Yet she still hasn't quite given up her girlhood fascination with all things Gothic. When she first visited Northanger Abbey, she only imagined dreadful events had occurred there. This time the horror is all too real. There's been a murder, and Henry has fallen under suspicion. Catherine is determined to clear her husband's name, but at the same time, she's afraid for her own safety, since there's a very good chance the real murderer is still in the house.This delightful sequel reprises the mischievous spirit of Austen's original spoof on the Gothic novel, while giving Catherine a genuine murder mystery to unravel.

"Traces the Gothic impulses in proto-Romantic and Romantic British, American and European culture, 1740-1830"--Quatrième de couverture.