Catherine Morland: A Teenage Life In Fullerton, England

Take it back to the 18th century, where young Catherine Morland lives a boring teenage life in Fullerton, England. She is not girly, nor extraordinary, and she has no skill for the aspects that girls her age should have. She’s described as an awkward, ignorant teen (as most of us are). However, the day the Allens offer to take Catherine to Bath with them-- a resort for the wealthier British-- her life changes. She meets a witty young fellow named Henry Tilney and soon falls for his satirical remarks. She befriends a girl named Isabella and Catherine’s brother, James, introduces a romantic relationship with her. Isabella’s brother, John, tries for Catherine. However, Catherine is far more interested in her beloved Henry. Henry’s older brother, Captain
Frederick Tilney, arrives suddenly and Isabella finds herself infatuated with him, after discovering James’ low income. Oh what a pickle they’re all in! The Tilneys invite Catherine to Northanger Abbey, however the General, after John told him that Catherine’s family was poor, sends her home to her family.
Strangely, this ancient story wasn’t as tough to read and comprehend as I expected it to be.
I enjoyed Austen’s first novel because although written long ago, I can still relate to the themes, ideas, and feelings that the protagonist, Catherine felt growing up. The peer pressure she receives by James, Isabella, and John to go on carriage walks is the same type of pressure teenagers feel today. Also, in the story the adults comment on the younger people's behavior, saying that it’s childish and putting a stereotypical label on them. Today, adults still tend to do that and treat children as if they’re inferior. Sometimes people like to do what Catherine is very commonly known for: making up things and letting our imagination get out of hand. Though it’s good to allow your mind to run wild at times, it can also tend to steer you wrong. For example, Catherine was paranoid with a thought that Captain Tilney had murdered his wife because he didn’t have a photograph of her in his home. She was mistaken, of course, and rebuked due to it. People today still like to assume things without knowing the full drawn-out story. After that, it’s usually spread like wildfire, and that’s how rumors start--but that’s just typical
life.
Wealth and status are what define people in this novel; you want to marry into a wealthy family. Isabella began to go after Frederick opposed to James after she sees that he is a rich Captain. The General asks Catherine to compare his home with Mr. Allen's while giving a tour of Northanger Abbey. He’s always pleased to find that his belongings were superior. Today, people still like to show off their riches such as their homes or cars. They want to have the best of the best. Due to the time period, there is also a thought in this novel that girls must be proper. Thankfully, women have more freedom with that today along with other privileges they may not have been granted in Catherine’s time. For example, you can marry whomever you desire, it doesn’t have to be based on wealth or status.
After reading this novel, I realize that even back then love and relationships were complicated. Furthermore, it was a struggle to “fit in.” Under these manners, people haven’t changed much since this period. On the other hand, everyone needs a good love story from time to time. I’ve learned from this novel to simply be myself and seek adventure; don’t always chase the status quo. As Jane Austen puts it, “If adventures will not befall a young lady in her own village, she must seek them abroad (page 12).