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| A return to Northanger Abbey (and Bath!) - served with a fine English china teacup for General Tilney. |
"The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid."
Right on, Henry Tilney!
Let me hastily add, a blogger who has blogged for almost twenty years, with much content featuring her favorite author, (festivals, travels, fan fiction, biographies), but has yet to include a Tuesday Tea and Tomes focusing on a novel by Jane Austen must be intolerably remiss.
Today, your humble blogger addresses this omission, inspired by a recent, indulgent weekend rereading Northanger Abbey. I not only reconnected with Austen's first - though published last - novel, I also revisited fond memories of walking the streets of Bath, where much of Northanger Abbey takes place. Both bring me much pleasure.
Catherine Moreland, who our novel's narrator observes, was not born with the usual characteristics of a heroine: plain-looking (though grew into "good looks"), kind and caring parents, and "occasionally stupid". Not the distinguishing traits of someone destined to live in a gothic mansion and experience great mysteries - if only in her 17-year old imagination.
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| The Pump Room - tea and society! |
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| Touring and shopping in Bath. |
Although Catherine doesn't possess the wit and sophistication of Elizabeth Bennet, she approaches the great appeal of the Pride and Prejudice's protagonist in her openness, sincerity and willingness to take action (I'm looking at you Fanny Price). When acquaintances of Catherine decide to cancel her plans with already engaged friends, she immediately forgoes a lady-like saunter and excessive overthinking to chase down the misinformed party and set things right.
We say, literally and figurately, you go girl!
Catherine's adventures start when she is afforded an opportunity to travel to Bath with good neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. Allen. Catherine is thrilled to participate in the excitements of city life. She attends balls, connects with society at the Pump Room, enjoys walks to the Crescent and partakes in Mrs. Allen's passion, fine fashion shopping. (Mr. Gulley and I managed three of the four when visiting Bath in 2023, see blog, Becoming Jane, Part 1).
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| Jane's home (and ours) in Bath |
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| Walking to the Royal Crescent |
Catherine is soon acquainted with the rather boorish Thorpe family, including eldest son John, whose "conversations. . . began and ended with himself", and, in great contrast, the engaging, novel-reading Henry Tilney. In short order, a collection of misunderstandings and flirtations ensue among their circle, leading to an unexpected invitation to the novel's namesake, and home of General Tilney, Henry's father, Northanger Abbey. (Although much to question in the General's character, we give him props for his pride in Staffordshire china.)
It's here where the coming-of-age story takes Catherine from an impressionable girl to a capable young lady, better for the experience, though the journey was challenging.
When we leave Catherine, she's not yet to be described as accomplished, but she endears with refreshing self-awareness. How can we find fault with a leading lady who knows she can be clearly understood, not for her mastery of word or phrase, but her lack of. "I cannot speak well enough to be unintelligible" Catherine explains to Henry Tilney.
When the narrator to your story is Jane Austen, no need to worry. She'll do all the heavy lifting and so exceedingly well that, even after 250 years, Austen's novels continues to bring pleasure. If they do not, please see Henry Tilney's commentary above.
