Expectations of a Woman?

Just as a warning, I have a different book from most of you guys, so my page numbers will be completely different.

When Catherine Morland is first introduced in the Northanger Abbey, Jane Austen makes it very clear how ordinary and plain she is, compared to how young women were supposed to be during that time. Catherine was “as plain as any”, had a “thin awkward figure” and was “fond of all boys’ plays” instead of playing with dolls and other girly things (679). As a young woman, she did not like to keep her commitments, for example when, after only a year, she got tired of “tinkling the keys of the old forlorn spinnet” (679). With just the first few pages, we learn what is usually expected of women; outer beauty, interest in feminine activities such as playing with dolls or picking flowers, being musical, and having artistic ability, just to name a few. Catherine seems to be severely lacking in the “ideal woman” department, which I imagine is why Austen mentions several times how odd it is to think Catherine becomes a heroine.

We see a few chapters later that Catherine also goes against the norm when it comes to thinking about the opposite sex. Austen states that “no young lady can be justified in falling in love before the gentleman’s love is declared” (692). Yet after charming Mr. Tilney grabs Catherine’s attention at a ball one night, she cannot help but think about him, constantly, scope out everywhere she goes to see if he is there as well, and talk to Miss Thorpe about him.

All of this to say that Catherine definitely goes against the expectations of women in her society, which I imagine is what will make her a heroine, because heroes and heroines always have something different about them. I have a feeling I will like her character very much and am excited to see what “out of the box” things that may occur in the novel.