North and South vs Northanger Abbey

[laurarose]

I'm writing an essay comparing Gaskell's North and South and Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen. Its focusing on their differing concepts of "romantic heroines" (for example Austen's satirical interpretation of gothic heroines) and was hoping for some ideas - any help would be welcome!

Beside the obvious Milton/Helstone comparison, what are some of the juxtapositions presented in North and South? Possibly Mrs Hale/Mrs Thornton? Margaret/Edith or Margaret/Miss Thornton? Mr Thornton/Mr Lennox?

[L.M. The Third]

I'm just curious, what comparisons are you coming up with between Northanger Abbey and North and South? You didn't really mention the Austen book in your post.

And from the sounds of it, you're on the right track with your ideas for comparing characters (and necessarily viewpoints) in N&S.

[Niamh]

I am a bit surprised by your choice of Northanger Abbey or was that your teachers choice? My automatic comparison would have been Pride and Prejudice seeing as both novels have similar themes and characters.

focus on characters. Margaret and Catherine are both quite naive.

[L.M. The Third]

Niamh's right (as usual). I was trying to think of which novel it was that I knew had many comparisons with N&S, and of course it was P&P.

[Niamh]

Niamh's right (as usual).

Dont think i've had many "Niamh's right" on this forum. :blush: thanks. :)

[L.M. The Third]

This is rather off the topic, but I don't really want to post a new thread right now, since I don't have much to say.

One of my friends on another forum, a literature student in England, mentioned a book called Nice Work by David Lodge. It's supposed to be a more modern imitation of North and South, and also comparable to Howard's End. The protagonist is a woman who is a professor of English literature, especially dealing in the industrial novel. Her encounters with the manager of an engineering firm provide a link to Mr. Thornton.

Just wondered if anyone has read it, and what they think.

[Niamh]

never heard of it. might have to look it up though.

[laurarose]

my main points are based around the typical characteristics of a romanitc heroine: an innate sense of morality/goodness, inner strength, redeemable flaws, growth and maturity throughout the story and a transforming relationship with the hero. and yes, i was originally comparing N&S with pride and prejudice, but was told that was too cliche! with catherine i will focus on her naivety and its contrast with tilney's experience. thanks for your replies!

[kev67]

This is rather off the topic, but I don't really want to post a new thread right now, since I don't have much to say.

One of my friends on another forum, a literature student in England, mentioned a book called Nice Work by David Lodge. It's supposed to be a more modern imitation of North and South, and also comparable to Howard's End. The protagonist is a woman who is a professor of English literature, especially dealing in the industrial novel. Her encounters with the manager of an engineering firm provide a link to Mr. Thornton.

Just wondered if anyone has read it, and what they think.

I read Nice Work by David Lodge. It was very good. The TV series was very good too. I am only about six chapters into North and South and I think I can see some similarities. In Nice Work, a lecturer in English from the local university is obliged to shadow a managing director of a mechanical engineering firm, as part of some government initiative to increase collaboration between the academic world and industry. Robyn does not want to be part of it, but she is the most junior member of the department, so is nominated. Initially she and the MD do not get on, then they begin to understand each other. I remember Robyn's special interest was the Industrial Novel, of which North and South is one of very few. I read somewhere else that North and South was influenced by Pride and Prejudice. I can see that too.