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Austen's Northanger Abbey. (analysis of a Jane Austen novel)

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From: The Explicator
Date: 19960322
Author:Ray, Joan Klingel

Jane Austen's mocking reference to the name Richard in the introductory paragraph of 'Northanger Abbey' is examined as to its purpose. Since each line of the first paragraph runs contrary to Gothic novel conventions, it is assumed that even the use of the name Richard is meant as an antithesis to exotic Gothic names such as Ricardo or Lord Richmond. Austen apparently aimed to portray duality by endowing an ordinary name to a respectable man in her effort to promote realism as opposed to the one-dimensionality of most supporting characters in Gothic fiction.

What is in a name? Two widely used ...

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