In the Victorian era, etiquette and proper manners were predetermined for both men and women. The society they lived in maintained stereotypical gender roles more rigidly defined than today. The majority was difficult for any young person; therefore, the ability to distinguish good and bad examples of etiquette was essential to achieving appropriate and respectful femininity or manhood. The stereotypical Victorian woman was seen as meek, weak, having few opinions, generally helpless, and unlikely to gain social status. For the most part, these women would have two main roles: courtship followed by marriage. From a young age, girls dreamed of a successful marriage to the extent that it was their only hope of rising in society (Petrie, 199-206). In fact, one author said "it is not easy to understand the possibility of raising them to a higher standard than that to which they had been raised, because of their natural inability to perform anything other than domestic duties." and social roles that they fulfilled so graciously. » (James, 215). Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an Original Essay These women were also considered intellectually inferior. Women were only to learn French, drawing and music (Petrie, 200). Subjects such as art, literature, and especially science were considered too complex and advanced for a woman's mind (James, 324-25). As the fight for women's equality, particularly in education, began, a famous author questioned the intelligence of men who married such passive women. In “In Defense of the Rights of Women,” Mary Wollstonecraft asks: “Are women who, by accomplishing some artificial achievements, have reinforced the prevailing prejudices, simply contributing to the happiness of their husbands? to amuse them? And do women, who were imbued very early with notions of passive obedience, have sufficient character to manage a family or educate children? (Mellor, 388) In other words, how can a man desire a passive, uneducated woman to become his wife and the mother and protector of his children? Without adequate education, the mother will not be fully equipped to deal with the crucial issues that arise in running a family and raising children. Men would also be more satisfied if their wives complemented them, rather than just amused them. In Jane Austen's novel Northanger Abbey, however, the female characters express their individual opinions and do not appear naturally weak; rather, they are forced to be submissive, or gentle, toward men and forced to rely on them. For example, when Captain Tilney asks Catherine to leave Northanger, she has no other choice. She has neither enough time to pack her things nor a guard to keep her safe on the way home (Austen, 177). She must give in to the man. As an impressionable young girl, the young protagonist, Catherine Morland, must confront these stereotypes and develop her individual character, while retaining her intellect and not giving in to expected passivity. To achieve this, she needs both positive and negative examples of acceptable ways. After recognizing the differences between each of her knowledge, she must choose which attributes to reject and which to adopt. Jane Austen effectively uses images of characters, both male and female, to aid Catherine in this researchcritical. Mrs. Morland, for example, contrasts with Mrs. Thorpe. Mrs. Morland lacks humor, but she is kind and honest (Todd, 74). She wants the best for her children, but has little time to help Catherine because she spends the majority of her time educating the youngest. Catherine even hears her parents say at one point that she is becoming a beautiful young woman (Austen, age 10). Even though her parents love her and wish her the best, they are not bragging about their daughter. On the other hand, Mrs. Morland is not afraid to brag about how great her children are – which is obviously why her children are also poor examples of character. She believes that “all [are] more loved and respected in their different position than three other beings ever were” (Austen, 25). However, Catherine is more like her mother in recognizing the good in people and not bragging about her relationships with others. Both Allen and General Tilney are wealthy men, but they have different attitudes and values. Mr. Allen is practical, sensible, and humble, while General Tilney is obsessed with material objects. When he first shows Catherine around the abbey, he refers to the small size and simplicity of the rooms and even begins to tell her the very price of a particular item, all the while seeking compliments ( Austen, 128). . He implores Catherine to compare her possessions to those of Mr. Allen; by falsely suggesting that Catherine must be accustomed to more luxuries and nicer things at the Allens' house, he really only desires to hear Catherine deny this assertion (Austen, 131). In comparison, Catherine falls in love with Henry Tilney, not because of his money, but because of his personality and his heart. In this respect, she is more like Mr. Allen. Henry Tilney and John Thorpe are also very different from each other. Thorpe is excessively arrogant while Tilney has the ability to clearly recognize the motivations of others. Thorpe, who is at first determined to marry Catherine, for example, pays General Tilney nothing but the highest compliments towards him. His pride makes the Morlands seem even richer than he himself believes. In fact, this applies not only to the Morlands, but "whoever with whom he was, or was likely to be connected, his own consequence always required theirs to be great, and as his intimacy with all knowledge grew, their fortune increased steadily. » (Austen, 193). Tilney, on the other hand, is considerate and tender and even helps Catherine recognize her own follies – as when she suspects the general of being the cause of her wife's death. He asks him to “consider the appalling nature of the suspicions you harbor” and to “remember the country and the times in which we live.” Remember that we are English, that we are Christians” (Austen, 156) – thus bringing her back to reality. While Thorpe only wants Catherine because of her supposed money, Henry Tilney truly loves her. As proof, when Tilney learns that she doesn't have much money, he pursues her and ends up marrying her. Perhaps the most crucial contrast exists between Isabella Thorpe and Eleanor Tilney. Eleanor is reserved and quiet while Isabella is more outgoing and fiery. Isabella is fickle and attempts to manipulate Catherine into going to Clifton with them by first asking her to retract her engagement to Miss Tilney. When this tactic doesn't work, she tries again by calling him affectionate names (Austen, 79). She also accepts James Morland's proposal, but then flirts with Captain Tilney, leading James to break off the engagement (Austen, 159-60). It is quite ironic that Isabella claims that she., 1983. 74-233.