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Northanger Abbey, beginning

This morning I began the anti-gothic, Northanger Abbey. The main reason I did was so that I can watch my Masterpiece Theatre DVD after I read it. I have felt a great reluctance because I really do not like satire.

So far, though, I find it amusing. Every jibe she gives to the forlorn, tormented heroes and heroines makes me want to close it and start on something else in my list, but the story itself actually moves and generates curiosity, and there is some of her own moralism and criticism of shallow people, which I like to hear at times.

The heroine has met her hero, Henry Tilney. Can it be possible that subsequent authors were inspired by this anti-gothic in their gothics, because I have read of some heroes like Henry, entirely opposite of the dark, brooding?

I question as I read. I wonder how much I am missing, if each sentence is making fun or if I dare relax and enjoy the story without being made fun of. That's what I hate about satire.

So far, though, Catherine bears a strong resemblance to Austen's other characters in her fortitude, decorousness and deep kindness to others. Austen's other heroes for a large part, have been intimidating and aloof, so I don't know what possesses her to make fun. With Henry's good nature, gentility, and provoking humor he seems ideal for Catherine. Perhaps what irked Austen was not the dark or tormented but the self-absorbed and vain.

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