 Parody Page3  The Function of Parody Page4  Austen’s Purpose Page8

 *N.B. The following notes are taken from ‘The Function of Parody in Northanger Abbey’ by Everett Zimmerman (and are elaborated on, through my own opinions)  ‘ Too often the modern assumption is that all parody, like burlesque, must ridicule its object.’  ‘...there is a tendency to interpret the parody as a sharper attack on sentimental fiction than is consonant with the entire structure of the book.’  Within Northanger Abbey Austen uses parody, not to completely reject aspects of ‘sentimental’ fiction, but to also show an appreciation for some aspects.

 Parody takes its form in the ironic representation of what has been labelled ‘sentimental’ fiction.  All the elements of ‘sentimental’ fictions, and the events within Northanger Abbey that co-inside with ‘traditional’ narrative events, occur in unexpected ways;  E.g. When Catherine and Mrs Allen first travel to Bath they attend a ball and it appears as though no men are ‘...started with rapturous wonder on beholding her...’ (page 23). It is only until later, ‘Quietly and unobtrusively the narrator explains that shortly after the ball, Henry Tilney was introduced to Catherine...’ This demonstrates the unorthodox means through which traditional events take form in Northanger Abbey. This is a subtle form of parody used extensively throughout the novel.

 ‘Sentimental’ fiction is both mocked and valued throughout Northanger Abbey – it’s almost as if the discovery of one’s self (in Catherine’s case) is the means through which Austen suggests a notion of balance within fiction.  Parody acts as a device to force the reader to search for meaning and purpose within the novel.  ‘The narrator has made it difficult for Catherine not to be recognised as a potential heroine, but because the language is understated and Catherine’s ignorance is emphasized...the reader is...to sort out the hidden heroic qualities...’

 This means that the parody of the heroine, acts as a tool to cause the audience to develop a sense of meaning and purpose within the novel – Catherine’s journey into the understanding of balance, is one in which the reader becomes actively involved in, as a direct result of the use of parody.  The comedy lies in Catherine’s path of discovery into the self and the notion of balance – the contrast between imagination and reality is the parody  However, Catherine can be considered as both a heroine of excess, as well as an ordinary one;  She is ordinary in terms of her ‘commonplace’ emotions  She is an excessive heroine as she succumbs to her fancies (of the gothic)

 The relationship between the characters and the author, too acts as a tool for parody. Austen emphasises Isabella as being cliche, and the learning experience offered to Catherine, as well as Henry’s appealing moderated application of interests, conveys her undeniable opinion. The contrasts between characters parodies the excess of Romantic tenets.  Gothic is used to highlight experiences in human nature, but the meaning lies within the emotions associated with the experience, not the experience itself. It is the experience that Austen parodies.

 ‘To control the reader’s responses novels, make him discriminate finely, Jane Austen includes direct comment on novels by both narrator and characters.’  Austen, whilst causing the audience to search for meaning, provides the narrative voice to guide them, in the case of misjudgement of the purpose of parody.  There is an underlying suggestion of balance; Austen doesn’t completely reject the Romantic precepts, regarding the gothic in literature, but rather ‘...her imagination...using it to discern what aspects of human nature lie beyond convention.’