The anti-romantic characters of "Nothinger Abbey"

The object of this post is to summarize the opinion of Q. D. Leavis on the anti-romantic approach to the characters of “Northanger Abbey” as discussed in “A Critical Theory of Jane Austen’s Writings”, Scrutiny 10.1: 61-66; 68-71.

Jane Austen describes Catherine, the protagonist, as an anti-heroine. Instead of holding the traditional values of femineity, such as quickness in forming romantical attachments, smartness, and attractiveness, she is depicted as a tomboy who likes to play with traditionally male objects, and as a person who lacks sentimentality, acts with a simple-minded behaviour, and conveys a “plain” appearance.

Henry Tilney, the character whom Catherine unsolicited and unexpectedly falls in love with, instead of being loving, snubs and tries to educate her.

Mrs. Allen is portrayed as an anti-chaperone. She prioritizes her own interests, being more focused on patterns of muslin and clothes than on guiding, instructing, and advising Catherine.

In Northanger Abbey, Jane Austen takes an anti-romantic approach to her characters. Catherine is depicted as an anti-heroine, Henry Tilney plays a paternalistic role, and Mrs. Allen acts as an unconventional chaperone.