Is Catherine commonplace, or more relatable as a character?
I believe Jane Austen made Catherine so common place, so unlike the stereotypical heroine of other Gothic novels from the time, was to establish a sense of similarity with the readers. While a beautiful, intelligent and wealthy heroine makes for an interesting read, it creates a sense of romanticism and unrealistic expectation. Where Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice finds love in an unrealistic, extravagant manner, Catherine portrays a typical reader of Gothic, romantic novels: one who fantasizes for an escape from their world and live among the elite and aristocratic.
This connection with the reader is critical to the progression of the story. In away, Austen uses Catherine’s expectations to parody the idea of such a fluffy and imaginative plot. This can be exampled by Catherine’s disappointment upon arriving at Northanger Abbey, as well as her somewhat ignorant assumption of everyone’s intentions pure in nature.
Overall, the message Jane Austen tries to send to readers with the character of Catherine is one of realism. Austen satirizes the idea that life can be the same as fiction, with danger around every corner, exampled by Catherine mentioning a robbery-free ride to Bath, and the heroine assuming the best in everyone, also exampled by Catherine’s naïve and well-intentioned nature. In several ways, Catherine’s relatable nature and her growth and maturing as a character could be compared to the clichéd “coming of age” genre. As we’re starting to see, Catherine is becoming less optimistic and less fictitious in expectations; I believe by the end of the story we’ll see a more confident and realistic character.
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