Gender Differences Between Men And Women In Northanger Abbey
There will always be differences between men and women. Besides the obvious differences, men and women received different educations, upbringings, and places in society. Men, more often than not, benefit from these differences and their role in society. The men of Northanger Abbey are no different. The men of this story create boundaries to control and manipulate the women. Language and knowledge is often used against the women as a form of intimidation and controlling the conversation. When we first meet Henry Tilney he engages in a conversation with Mrs. Allen about the ways of muslin and women’s dress.
“Do you understand muslin, sir?”
“Particularly well; I always buy my own cravats, and am allowed to be an excellent judge; and my sister …show more content…
Thorpe, due to his conceited nature, has this narrative, this delusion that Catherine is in love with him. Throughout the novel he attempts to impose this belief on Catherine, creating boundaries to make her play along. Here, Thorpe uses wordplay to slyly propose a marriage to Catherine and impose his fantasy on her.
“A famous good things this marrying scheme, upon my soul! A clever fancy of Morland’s and Belle’s. What do you think of it, Miss Morland? I say it is no bad notion.”
“I am sure I think it a very good one.”
“Do you?-that’s honest, by heavens! I am glad you are no enemy to matrimony however. Did you ever hear the old song, ‘Going to one wedding brings another?’ I say, you will come to Belle’s wedding, I hope.”
“Yes, I have promised to our sister to be with her, if possible.”
“And the you know”-twisting himself about and forcing a foolish laugh-“I say, then you know, we may try the truth of this same old …show more content…
Again, like Thorpe, his language is possessive and almost setting a physical boundary. His very first statement illustrates this clearly, “He has no business to withdraw the attention of my partner from me.” Here he states that alone has the right to decide who she speaks to and the use of the word contract and “my partner” also suggests that she is chained to him. When Catherine disagrees with his assessment he uses language to intimidate her and ultimately bullies her into submissions. It is only when she does submit to his control that he lets the subject
“Do you understand muslin, sir?”
“Particularly well; I always buy my own cravats, and am allowed to be an excellent judge; and my sister …show more content…
Thorpe, due to his conceited nature, has this narrative, this delusion that Catherine is in love with him. Throughout the novel he attempts to impose this belief on Catherine, creating boundaries to make her play along. Here, Thorpe uses wordplay to slyly propose a marriage to Catherine and impose his fantasy on her.
“A famous good things this marrying scheme, upon my soul! A clever fancy of Morland’s and Belle’s. What do you think of it, Miss Morland? I say it is no bad notion.”
“I am sure I think it a very good one.”
“Do you?-that’s honest, by heavens! I am glad you are no enemy to matrimony however. Did you ever hear the old song, ‘Going to one wedding brings another?’ I say, you will come to Belle’s wedding, I hope.”
“Yes, I have promised to our sister to be with her, if possible.”
“And the you know”-twisting himself about and forcing a foolish laugh-“I say, then you know, we may try the truth of this same old …show more content…
Again, like Thorpe, his language is possessive and almost setting a physical boundary. His very first statement illustrates this clearly, “He has no business to withdraw the attention of my partner from me.” Here he states that alone has the right to decide who she speaks to and the use of the word contract and “my partner” also suggests that she is chained to him. When Catherine disagrees with his assessment he uses language to intimidate her and ultimately bullies her into submissions. It is only when she does submit to his control that he lets the subject