Ingress of a Young Girls

Categories: Henry Tilney Jane Austen Northanger Abbey

Essay, Pages 6 (1496 words)

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Playing the role of a young woman while growing up in a society where you have little to no knowledge regarding your family history can be very disturbing. When it comes to Frances Burney’s “Evelina”, it is clear that while Evelina tries to maintain a reputation for herself, that is her righteousness ways throughout the novel, she comes across many obstacles along side the numerous relationships she encounters that potentially put her virtue to a test. On the other hand, Jane Austen’s “Northanger Abbey” has been seen as a response to the story behind Evelina.

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Austen introduces Catherine Morland’s character in a sense where just as Evelina she has zero knowledge of the society she lives in as well as the people around her. Catherine’s entrance to the city of bath is significant in which she is able to become more social as well as explore what is offered to her starting with friendships and relationships. Both Burney and Austen portray similar stories with separate approaches of these young women who find themselves muddled as they are introduced to the reality of life during this time.

It is safe to say that both Evelina and Catherine are in for a surprise.

Evelina is described as a sweet, virtuous individual who plainly writes letters to tell her story. It is also found that in the beginning of the novel, her story is being told by many other individuals leaving her character to be initiated in the following letters.

There are many female as well as male characters who has affected Evelina’s life both positively and negatively. The importance of gender roles and masculinity play a major role when it comes to the male villains in Evelina’s life. The male figures in her life are significant in which they play a part in Evelina’s turmoil. As far as her relationships with Mr. Lovel, Sir. Clement Willoughby, and Lord Orville we spot some kind of love triangle going on throughout. Evelina makes it clear of her relationship with each of these male characters by her many ways and actions that she has presented. Lord Orville on one hand falls in love with Evelina’s physical beauty when he first sees her in London. He continuously refers to her as an angelic individual across the next few letters in the novel.

The lifeless symmetry of architecture, however beautiful the design and proportion, no man would be so mad as to put in competition with the animated charms of nature: but when, as to-night, the eye may be regaled at the same time, and in one view, with all the excellence of art, and all the perfection of nature, I cannot think that either suffer by being seen together. (108) Lord Orville is describing Evelina’s beauty in the abstract. Of course Evelina is attracted to Orville due to his gentle ways. But because she is from a lower social class and is fairly inexperienced, her confidence falls short. “And that elegant politeness, that flattering attention, that high -bred delicacy, which so much distinguished him above all other men, and which struck us with such admiration” (174). Evelina’s relationship with Orville has helped her grow as an individual. It is also known that she has gained more freedom after her encounter. Though Evelina is found questioning Orville’s position in her love life, he can be identified as one of the enthusiastic connections that Evelina comes across compared to her many other relationships.

Sir. Clement Willoughby on the other hand takes a different method to gaining Evelina’s notice and trust. He desperately throws himself at Evelina in hopes that she would give him her hand, literally. Evelina’s suspicions of Willoughby begin to grow once she realizes that he is extremely manipulative. Throughout the novel, Willoughby is seen as immensely possessive. Evelina wants to get rid of Willoughby at this point. “I was really frightened, and trembled exceedingly. ‘My Angel!’ cried the man who held me, ‘you cannot surely be alarmed, do you not know me? I shall hold myself in eternal abhorrence, if I have really terrified you” (147). Willoughby is seen taking part in a crime that not only has startled Evelina, but has opened her eyes to his true character. Willoughby is seen as a problem. While repeatedly trapping Evelina into an answer, it is clear that his witty ways has pushed Evelina away from him as a whole. When it comes to her relationship with Lord Orville, she feels the most protected as opposed to being under Willoughby’s wing.

Through her characters, Burney depicts a society where the idea of masculinity, femininity, and gender roles during the 18th century has become an important subject matter to speak upon. Women were basically under the male belligerence. The idea behind this is portrayed through Willoughby’s behavior towards not only Evelina, but the many other female figures in the novel such as Madame Duval who is known as Evelina’s grandmother. Catherine Morland has faced similar circumstances when she is introduced to the city of bath and later on the Northanger Abbey. Just as Evelina, Catherine is naive and untrained. She is authorized freedom that isn’t forced to be accomplished throughout the novel. Catherine proves the innocence of a young teenage girl whose intentions are justly pure and means no harm to the people around her. She stumbles across many male as well as female figures who shaped her as an individual from the beginning up until the end. As far as her relationships go with the male suitors/ villains in her life such as Henry Tilney and John Thorpe, it is obvious that Catherine gains knowledge and nourishment as well as criticism towards the women species.

Tilney is spotted coaching Catherine through life. Though he informs her on what to expect in each of her journeys, he willingly satirizes women and their hobbies. In a sense, Catherine’s credulousness encourages Tilney to constantly tease her personally. “And now, Henry,’ said Miss Tilney, ‘that you have made us understand each other, you may as well make Miss Morland understand yourself, unless you mean to have her think you intolerably rude to your sister, and a great brute in your opinion of women in general. Miss Morland is not used to your odd ways” (83). Henry takes pleasure in his overbearing ways against the women in the novel all together. It is hard to determine whether he is actually being serious or untrustworthy, due to his comical techniques and ways. Henry is intensely narcissistic, and in a way, Catherine uplifts his conduct. Because she finds him to be the most admirable, he can do no wrong.

Another incident where Henry is seen poking fun at Catherine is when she first visits the abbey. Henry is basically scaring her into what to look forward to. Catherine comes up with her perception of the abbey and is anxious to visit. “Its walls hung with tapestry exhibiting figures as large as life, and the bed, of dark green stuff or purple velvet, presenting even a funeral appearance. Will not your heart sink within you?” (115). Tilney uses Catherine’s liking of Gothic novels to his advantage in this particular scene. She expects the abbey to look like a gothic setting. Being that Catherine is a female, her gothic beliefs are questionable. Aren’t young girls supposed to be interested in things like barbie dolls?

John Thorpe on the contrary, has been put into Catherine’s life to simply under certain circumstances create havoc and tumult. While he is described as a monotonous individual who only speaks about horses and speed, there is no doubt that Mr. Thorpe has lent a helping hand to Catherine’s development and maturation. Towards the beginning, Catherine is constantly found detaching herself from Mr. Thorpe. She wasn’t at all impressed with his personality and mentality. Catherine becomes annoyed when Mr. Thorpe asks for her hand.

“When John Thorpe came up to her soon afterwards, and said, ‘Well, Miss Morland, I suppose you and I are to stand up and jig it together again.’ ‘Oh, no; I am much obliged to you, our two dances are over; and, besides I am tired, and do not mean to dance anymore” (41). Catherine plainly shows her unliking towards John Thorpe. Because the Thorpes, especially John are seen getting in the way of Catherine’s connection with Henry, Catherine becomes turned off. Thorpe is very much self- appointed when it comes to his relationship with Catherine. John at this point is doing the best that he can to gain Catherine’s love and possibly hand in marriage. Both together Burney and Austen allow their readers a glimpse into the roles of women and men during this time period. To add on, Evelina and Catherine undergo many obstacles that later on participated in their maturity and progress as young teenage girls. In the end love conquers all.