As in all of Austen's novels, the subjects of society, status, behavior, and morality are addressed. Northanger Abbey, however, being chronologically the first novel completed by Austen (though revised later in her life), is notably considered a "point of departure" from her other work as a result of the "boldness with which it flaunts its . . . deceptive air of simplicity with broad, bold humour".[24]
Love, marriage and high society
When Catherine enters Bath, she is rather unaware of the societal setting she will encounter. Austen notes that Catherine's mother, also, knew little of high society,[24] which emphasizes the importance of Catherine pairing up with the Allens, who are higher ranked in society due to their wealth. Society greatly influences partner selection, especially in Northanger Abbey. For example, General Tilney, disapproves of Henry and Catherine's love due to their disparity in wealth. To demonstrate their difference in wealth, Austen shows General Tilney as owning a glasshouse that allows rare tropical fruit like pineapples to be grown in England to demonstrate his great wealth as only those at the highest income levels could afford a glasshouse, a symbol of luxury in Regency England.[25] General Tilney only accepts Henry and Catherine's marriage after Eleanor Tilney becomes engaged to a wealthy man.[26] Further, Catherine distances herself from John Thorpe even though he is societally deemed a "good" match for her. Instead Catherine situates love and companionship as more worthy than standing and rank, unlike Isabella, who ends the novel with two broken engagements.
Life lived as in a Gothic novel
Though Austen greatly encourages the reading of novels to her audience, Catherine must learn to separate life from fiction and rein in her very active imagination. When Catherine accuses General Tilney of murdering or locking up his wife, she is humiliated when it is discovered to be untrue as Henry chastises her by saying: "'You had formed a surmise of such horror as I have hardly words to— Dear Miss Morland, consider the dreadful nature of the suspicions you have entertained. What have you been judging from?'"[27] Upon this, Catherine is mortified, and distraught at the notion that Henry would think less of her for her wild assumptions. When reflecting, Catherine identifies that she must separate Gothic novels from her judgement of everyday life. This serves as a major progression in the novel as it is a sign of Catherine's maturation and ability to appreciate novels without immediately applying them to her behaviour and thoughts.
Bildungsroman
While Catherine controls her imagination, she simultaneously endures the reality of individuals behaving in a contradictory manner from what they say. This creates confusion for Catherine which forces her to realize that she should not rely solely on others who are negative influences, such as Isabella, but instead be an independent thinker.[28] Regardless of her engagement to James Morland, Isabella flirts with Frederick Tilney, breaks her engagement to James, and is discarded by Frederick which as a result causes herself great shame. Catherine begins to realize Isabella's poor influence when the Thorpes cause her to miss her appointment with Henry and Eleanor Tilney,[27] but it is not until the shocking wrongdoing against her brother that Catherine entirely separates herself from their friendship, stating that she may never speak to Isabella again.[27] As this scene takes place almost immediately after Catherine's lesson about Gothic novels, it is a clear sign of her increasing maturity.
The value of reading
In one of Austen's narrator's boldest proclamations, they exert their opinion on the significance of reading novels, writing: "I will not adopt that ungenerous and impolitic custom so common with novel-writers, of degrading by their contemptuous censure the very performances, to the number of which they are themselves adding—joining with their greatest enemies in bestowing the harshest epithets on such works, and scarcely ever permitting them to be read by their own heroine, who, if she accidentally take up a novel, is sure to turn over its insipid pages with disgust. Alas! If the heroine of one novel be not patronized by the heroine of another, from whom can she expect protection and regard? I cannot approve of it".[27] In this famous moment, Austen's narrator acknowledges the hypocrisy in insulting those who read novels. It is also made clear in this text that those who are considered "good" and well-educated read novels, such as Henry and Eleanor Tilney. John Thorpe, for example, who does not read novels,[27] is the cad of the text.
The importance of time
Various scholars such as the French historian Michel Foucault and the British Marxist E.P. Thompson have argued the 18th century became the "era of the clock" as availability of mass-produced clocks and watches allowed time to be measured more accurately, leading to an increased emphasis on doing things on time that had not existed before, marking the beginning of "time discipline" as Thompson called it.[29] In what is seen as example of the new era of "time discipline", Austen frequently used clocks as symbols of General Tilney's authority over Northanger Abbey.[30] Throughout the novel, General Tilney is checking his watch, and is most insistent that servants and his own family observe the clocks to see if they are doing things on time.[31] This further contrasts the Abbey against Catherine's time in Bath, where she had an easy-going attitude to time without strict schedule and planning nothing in advance.[32]
It is only after Catherine meets Henry Tilney that the novel begins to speak of the importance of time, with Catherine having to check the clocks to see if she will be on time to meet him.[33] After arriving at Northanger Abbey, Catherine discovers that General Tilney is constantly checking his watch and that everything at the abbey happens on a strict schedule, which is a marked difference from Catherine's lax attitude that she displayed in Bath.[34] When Catherine is late to a dinner, General Tilney shows his displeasure by pacing back and forth in the dining room while frequently glancing at the clock.[35] Because of the importance of staying on schedule, even when General Tilney is not around, clocks serve as a symbol of his power as Catherine finds herself always checking the time.[36]
As the novel progresses, Catherine finds the discipline imposed by the clocks more and more oppressive as she finds that she is living her life according to General Tilney's dictates and demands.[37] Catherine compares General Tilney to a clock, as something inhuman and mechanical that operates with no regard to the human body.[38] At one point, when Catherine receives a letter from her brother, she allows herself "half a hour's free indulgence of grief and reflection" before composing herself for dinner all the while watching the clock.[39] When Catherine visits the kitchen, she notes that it is equipped with all manner of "modern" cooking equipment and that the cooks worked in an efficient manner like soldiers performing a drill, which reflects the General's wish to have everything ordered.[40]
