Themes

Gothic Novels: Northanger Abbey is often referred to as a “Gothic Parody” because of the way that it mocks items that were so typical in the gothic novels which were popular at the time that Jane Austen wrote Northanger Abbey. Titles of many gothic novels are mentioned throughout the novel because they are what Catherine enjoys reading. The Abbey resembles places which are often found in gothic novels and this is what makes Catherine suspicious about so many things that she sees and experiences in the Abbey; things that would have contained mysterious items or caused problems in the typical gothic novels. 

Reading: This novel demonstrates how much reading can affect your imagination. Catherine begins to convince herself of things that would have been true in the novels she has read. She imagines herself as one of the characters in a gothic novel as she walks through Northanger Abbey and thinks that mysterious and suspicious things might be found or discovered while she is there. 

Wealth: Northanger Abbey displays the importance of wealth in the Georgian Era. Isabella chooses to break of her engagement to James Morland, Catherine’s brother, because she thinks that Frederick, someone of greater wealth, is interested in her. Mrs. Allen is obsessed with clothing and shopping and feels better about herself when she notices Mrs. Thorpe’s worn out clothes. General Tilney wants all of his children to marry rich and sends Catherine away when he is untruthfully told that her family is almost poor. During the tour that General Tilney gives Catherine of Northanger Abbey, he is constantly asking Catherine how his home and landscape compares to Mr. Allen’s.