Northanger Abbey Summary

Jane Austen's "Northanger Abbey" is a coming-of-age novel that satirizes the gothic novels popular in Austen's time. The story follows Catherine Morland, a naïve and imaginative young woman who is invited to stay at Northanger Abbey by her new friends, the Tilneys. Influenced by her favorite gothic novels, Catherine lets her imagination run wild, suspecting dark secrets and sinister deeds within the abbey's walls. Her fantasies lead to misunderstandings and awkward situations, particularly with Henry Tilney, whom she grows to love. Catherine's journey is one of self-discovery, as she learns to distinguish between fiction and reality, and to trust her own judgment. The novel concludes with Catherine's realization of her mistaken assumptions and her acceptance of Henry's proposal. "Northanger Abbey" is celebrated for its humor, its critique of literary tropes, and its insight into the development of a young woman's character.