They will absolutely NOT turn out like the Bennets, because they both enjoy reading, and Catherine will make sure he gets outside and plays with the kids, rather than hiding in his study, and she is much too practical to be holding court in her boudoir while suffering from her nerves. Mrs. Bennet lacks Catherine’s ability to recognize her own flaws and to laugh at her own foolishness. Catherine will make sure her children are provided for.

(I’m not speaking of Anne because, like Kate Beaton, I can’t remember anything she wrote [though I have read her]. Also, for CB I’m thinking mostly of Jane Eyre, because I actually have never read someone who prefers any of her other books)

Finally, sorry for misunderstanding your feelings about NA! For me, JA novels are so much about romance that I figured if you don’t like the romance, you don’t like the book. But I got you. I hate pretty much all the characters in Mansfield Park, but I think it has a lot of interesting symbolism when read from an imperialism/colonialism POV.

I am also a Bronte fan. Yes, even poor neglected Anne. But I’ve never understood the Brontes being the opposite of Austen. For starters Charlotte’s books are not the same as Wuthering Heights of as Anne’s. While there are similarities the three sisters are their own writers. And none of them are the opposite of Austen. It is very possible to love all of them.

And Persuasion has got to be Austen’s finest work. I mean, P&P is obviously magnificent, too. I wonder… are you a Bronte fan? I’ve found that Persuasion appeals to readers who like the Brontes and similar works, because it’s so much more introspective than the rest of Austen’s work.

(Plus, Northanger Abbey making fun of gothic novels rubs Bronte fans the wrong way– another reason I’m asking)

But the other two adaptations done at the same time …. I thought Persuasion had its moments, but it committed some truly unforgivable sins; and the Mansfield Park was so bad it defies description.

FWIW, I don’t think Henry and Catherine would end up a Mr and Mrs Bennet – or even a Mr and Mrs Palmer. She doesn’t have Mrs Bennet’s vulgarity, and although she may not be the sharpest knife in the drawer, she is not unteachably stupid like Mrs Palmer. Unlike these two ladies, I don’t think she would continuously embarras her husband in public. Although I agree that I don’t ever see her being Henry’s intellectual equal.

Incidentally, I’d argue that the Emma/Knightly pairing is almost as unequal, but much more believable. Emma has much to learn from Knightly, but I get the sense that his character is fully formed, and he’s not really going to change after the book finishes. Unlike, say, Darcy. Though I re-read Emma almost as seldom as Northanger Abbey, so maybe I’ve overlooked aspects.

I’d also vote for Persuasion as Best Jane Austen – in fact, as Best Book In The Universe.

Y’know, Justine, I have a distinct memory from the 1980s of you saying you thought Fanny was a strong character. Have I been imagining this all these years? Or do you admire her strength, but this doesn’t necessarily mean you like her as a person?

Sorry for the really long comment. But I can never resist talking about Jane Austen.

/end essay

Aside from that, I feel Northanger Abbey serves an incredibly valuable function for Austen fans, at least for Austen fans who– like me– are sprightly and talkative and just a touch flighty: it finally gives me an Austen heroine I can compare myself to without feeling like I’m putting on airs.

I mean, I think I’m a bit like Lizzie Bennett, but she’s LIZZIE. You can’t just say you’re like her! She’s possibly the most beloved heroine in the entire English cannon! That’s like saying I think I’m one of the most beloved people in the entire world. However, if you can’t say you’re Lizzie (and really, who could without blushing?) you’re plum out of luck for the rest of them. No one wants to be Fanny (what a wet blanket), if you’re like Emma you obviously don’t realize it (because Emma never would), if you’re like Marianne then you think you’re just like Catherine– Earnshaw, that is. If you’re like Elinor then you’re far too busy doing something practical to sit around comparing yourself to Austen heroines all day, and if you’re like Anne then a) well done, you and b) you’d probably far too humble to call attention to it.

So that just leaves Catherine– she’s warm and funny and quite endearing. Even though she’s a bit dim, it’s really only because she hasn’t seen much of the world, and because she spent too much time reading books, and really, what Austen fan couldn’t relate to that? By the time you’ve reached the book’s end, she’s been burned by a couple rotten people, and she’s ended up much wiser. Most importantly, if you describe yourself as “Like Catherine Moreland, only a little more grown-up,” at least no one is likely to think you’ve got a swollen head.

I think Catherine is an excellent character for demonstrating the charm and folly of naivety mixed with enthusiasm. She both parodies the innocent heroines of the novels she loves and also embodies the passionate and devoted enthusiasm of gothic fandom. If she lived in the modern world, she would totally be wearing a ‘Team Edward’ T-shirt.

Catherine doesn’t strike me as stupid, just lacking in maturity and understanding of the world. It feels like she’d grow up and would become a wiser individual that would be more suited to Tilney in a few years.

Also, I thought the differences between the levels of Catherine and Henry’s intellectual engagements were meant to mirror their economic class differences; one is worldly and sophisticated and well-versed in the manner of meaningless small talk, even as he does not think much of the banality and hypocracy of it. And meanwhile the other has fundamental goodness and generosity of spirit, but has not learned how to read and be favourably read by society. Which makes them in some ways, a gender-reversed image of Darcy and Lizzy. So how come Catherine’s social cluelessness in the face of Tilney’s merry witticisms damn her to inferiority in a way that Darcy’s does not?

Very good point about the innocence/ignorance. I still find her total blindness to Isabella heard to swallow.

Oh, and when I say Elinor doesn’t bore me, I mean she’s another of my favorites. I encourage you to re-read it if you haven’t since you were wee! You may also find Marianne more pitiable and giggle-inducing on the second go.

I’m definitely with you on Persuasion. It’s one of my all time favorites.

Catherine and Fanny (the same age) are her youngest heroines, and I think she does a spiff job showing that girls that age can be observant, and even show nascent intelligence, but they are ignorant. And that “innocence” is not an attribute.

Julia: I do like Catherine. But she is so dumb! How did she not notice how awful Isabella is? Honestly.

Aimee: I think Catherine’s a beautifully written character. There’s definitely a there there. When I say they’ll wind up like Mr & Mrs Bennet I just meant the inequality in their understanding of the world. I cannot imagine Henry enjoying discussing books with Catherine. She’s not particularly insightful.

Kristin: I haven’t seen that production. But there was one many many years ago from the BBC that got exactly what was so funny about the book.

Sarah: I’ll re-read S&S, I promise. I haven’t read it since I was wee.

Also as a big fan of the Sensible Ladies – Elinor boring? Oh Justine, you infidel.

That said, equality is always the sexiest thing…