Catherine Morland is the protagonist of Jane Austen's novel Northanger Abbey. She is portrayed as a young and naïve girl who comes from a sheltered background. Throughout the novel, Catherine undergoes a significant transformation as she experiences different events and interacts with various characters. This essay will examine Catherine's development as a coming-of-age character in Northanger Abbey, with specific examples from the novel.
At the beginning of the novel, Catherine is portrayed as a young girl who is easily influenced by others. She has a vivid imagination, and her love of Gothic novels makes her believe that real-life events are similar to those in her books. For example, when Catherine visits Northanger Abbey, she expects to find hidden passages and dark secrets, just like in the Gothic novels she has read. However, as she spends more time at Northanger Abbey, she realizes that her expectations were unfounded.
Another example of Catherine's development is her growing awareness of social conventions and expectations. She initially struggles to understand the nuances of social interactions and is often unsure of how to behave. However, as she spends more time with the Tilney family, she begins to understand the expectations of polite society. For example, when she is invited to go for a walk with the Tilneys, she hesitates to accept because she is afraid of being too forward. However, she eventually accepts, showing that she is becoming more confident and comfortable with her social standing.
Catherine's development is also evident in her relationships with other characters. At the beginning of the novel, she is infatuated with Isabella Thorpe, a friend she meets in Bath. However, as Catherine spends more time with Isabella, she realizes that she is not the kind of person she wants to be friends with. She recognizes Isabella's faults and is able to break off the friendship.
In conclusion, Catherine's development in Northanger Abbey is a central theme of the novel. She goes from a young and naïve girl to a more mature and confident young woman. Her experiences at Northanger Abbey and her interactions with various characters help her to grow and develop. As readers, we are left with the impression that Catherine will continue to develop and mature in the future.