Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen Read-Along: Conclusion

Hop on over to our host Amber's blog to read her final thoughts on Northanger Abbey and to get all of the details of the watch-along happening tonight! In the meantime here are my thoughts on this last section and answers to the questions that Amber posed over on her blog.

Questions:

1. How would you respond to General Tilney's rudeness if you were: Catherine? Eleanor? Catherine's parents?

Oh wowsie! I'd be ticked off! I'd want to know what the reason was for his sudden change of heart if I were Catherine. He definitely caused her some confusion and hurt. As his daughter Eleanor I think I would have demanded the reason and then explained to him the error of his ways(probably very loudly!). As Catherine's parents...I have to say here I was a bit disappointed in them. I thought they would be less air-headed than the rest of the characters in this story, but I found some of the things her mother said as much without substance as say the Allen's or even the Thorpes. As her parent I would have been incensed with her treatment of her being sent home without a chaperon or anyone else accompanying her and I would have been even more ticked off of her being turned out of the house without any explanation and chance to defend herself. I'm definitely not a General Tilney fan. He should have been more aware of how the Thorpes operated and not relied on rumor to base his judgment of Catherine. Yeah, disappointment in all that participated in this circumstance! 



2. How do you feel about Henry Tilney by the end of the story? What do you think of his home in Woodston, his response to his father's actions toward Catherine, and his initial reasons for pursuing her?

Well hmmmm, I liked his home in Woodston. It seemed much more cozy than the Abbey for sure. Less pretentious and more homey. As far as his response to his father's actions and initial reasons for pursuing her...I'm happy he at least went after her. I thought he was a bit impetuous when he told his father that he was going to offer his hand to Catherine. It reminded me of a child that was pitching a bit of a fit and threatening the worst he could think of like, "I'm going to run away" ha! But yeah I was happy that Henry went after her and that he was ticked at his father and stood up to him even though he and Eleanor were used to allowing the General to get his way and bully them around.I loved that he kept to his goal even though the General was furious.

3. The final line of the book states, "I leave it to be settled by whomsoever it may concern, whether the tendency of this work be altogether to recommend parental tyranny, or reward filial disobedience." What is your verdict? Do you believe the story recommends parental tyranny or a child's disobedience? What do you believe is the book's real message?

Again, like trying to put a character with an actors face on said character I just don't do well with that, the same with trying to determine a "real message" in a book. I think sometimes a message is very clear and sometimes it is just a story to be a story. I did mark that quote because I found it apropos to the situation. I do not recommend parental tyranny. If we raise our children right we are raising them to make responsible adult decisions when they become adults. The characters of Catherine, Henry and Eleanor were all considered adult even though Catherine is a bit young. I think that Henry was a bit old to be bullied around by his father, and likewise I think Eleanor was too, but being a young woman in the times I'm sure she had no other choice. Anyway, if as a parent you set yourself up to be the ruler, the dictator, the boss and then proceed to rule with an iron fist or a flight of whimsy then you set yourself up to be disappointed and angered by your children. As for filial disobedience, I don't agree with that either. ha! I think there are times when we need to submit to our parent even when we are adults. In this case though, I would have backed Henry and Catherine! But I thought it was wise of Catherine's parents to demand the General's approval before allowing a marriage to take place and a good thing that Catherine and Henry abided that request. It gave Catherine another year of maturing and the General time to cool his heals and soften his heart. So is parental tyranny recommended or rewarding filial disobedience...yes and no ;)

Favorite Quotes:

"To begin perfect happiness at the respective ages of twenty-six and eighteen is to do pretty well; and professing myself, moreover, convinced that the General's unjust interference, so far from being really injurious to their felicity, was perhaps rather conducive to it, by improving their knowledge of each other, and adding strength to their attachment, I leave it to be settled by whomsoever it may concern, whether the tendency of this work be altogether to recommend parental tyranny or reward filial disobedience."

This was the perfect ending to the story and one that reminded me so much of my own courtship with my husband. I was just 18 when we met and he was a seasoned 25 year old! We only knew each other a few short months before we knew we wanted to marry. My parents asked us to wait 1 year. It did give us a chance to get to know each other more, gave me a chance to mature a bit more and it was a way of honoring my parents request. Thankfully they weren't against the marriage, they were just wise enough to ask for a little growth time. If the General had come about his objections a bit like that then the outcome would have been a bit different. No tyranny and no disobedience needed :)

"Catherine would make a sad, heedless young housekeeper, to be sure, was her mother's foreboding remark; but quick was the consolation of there being nothing like practice." 

A bit of an example of one of the reasons Catherine's parents disappointed me. It seemed momma was full of these little pithy exclamations and proclamations. I hope she spent the year training Catherine in how to become a better housekeeper!

"His departure gave Catherine the first experimental conviction that a loss may be sometimes a gain."

Again with Jane Austen's wit and insight. Loved this!

Wrap Up:

I was happy to see that Catherine finally saw the true colors of the Thorpes, and found it rather interesting that the Tilney's saw it right away(at least Henry and Eleanor did, not the General). Mrs. Allen and Catherine's mother seemed suited to each other. Mrs. Allen only interested in what she was wearing or what someone else was wearing(maybe) and Mrs. Morland seemed just as flighty. She did see more of the character of someone, but still she seemed too shallow. Maybe it had to do with the period, but the women in this book seemed very unintelligent and in need of some other distraction besides fashion and novels. ha! Maybe that is the point of the story? I just started reading one of the "horrid" books mentioned in Northanger Abbey. It does prove some of the tongue-in-cheek attempt of Jane Austen's characters in Northanger Abbey. 

All-in-all I enjoyed this read-along. I thought I had read Northanger Abbey before, but apparently if I did nothing "stuck" with me so I will consider this my first time through. It was fun discussing each week what we had read and I definitely look forward to our next read-along.

Tonight is the watch-along. Go to Amber's blog for all of the details to join us. I may be a bit late, but I will definitely watch and then post comments and such as I go. 

Bear Country Fun Sticker & Activity Book by Jan & Mike Berenstain

This fun activity book reminds me a bit like the Highlights magazines. I would say the puzzles in this book are a bit easier than the ones in Highlights. This activity book features word searches, crossword puzzles, picture searches, coloring pages, sticker pages, mazes, along with math and reading pages, and some dot-to-dots. All of the puzzles feature the Berenstain Bears having fun. This activity book would be perfect for road trips or entertainment purposes for young children. The target age is 4 to 8 years old. I sat down with my 4 year old granddaughter and she was able to do some of the puzzles as long as I read the instructions to her.

April's Promise by Holly Schindler

Patricia and Timothy Steele are newly retired and having a hard time finding themselves in that retirement state. Patricia has no interest in the things she perceives other retirees doing. She doesn't have a knack for gardening or knitting or the desire to sit on the front porch rocking her days away. Timothy is starting to get on her nerves so her memories and ideals are starting to get a bit skewed. One thing that Patricia and Timothy have always done together is the April's Promise race in Finley. But even that is bringing some dissatisfaction to Patricia this year. Will things with Timothy ever be the same or are they destined to grow apart in their retirement years?

Oh my! This short story in the Forever Finley Short Story Cycle hits a little bit close to home! My husband and I are in that retirement state of life right now. No more work, children grown and out of the house, struggling to find a new purpose and goal in life, and most of all trying to figure out who is this person that we have been married to for 30 years?!

I really do become more and more impressed with Holly Schindler's writing skills the more I read her books. She has a way of capturing the realities of life and putting those realities into characters that the reader can relate to, empathize with and learn from. With Patricia and Timothy I felt almost like Holly was a fly on the wall in my house! Seriously, how many times have I caught myself looking at my husband and thinking "who is that gray haired man?" Or how many times have I had to bite my tongue to keep from saying something hurtful or hateful when my husband gets on my last nerve with something that he has done our entire married life? I love Timothy's character and how he was able to put things in perspective once more for Patricia. Yes, they got a little "lost" for a bit, but they will find their stride and move on together just like my husband and I have :)

Check out my reviews of the other stories in the cycle:

Come December
January Thaw
Forget February
Dearest March

Happy Easter 2016!

Northanger Abbey Read-Along: Discussion 4

The Read-Along is hosted by Amber on her blog at Seasons of Humility. Head on over there and check out this weeks news, information and comments.

Week 4 Questions:

1. If you were Captain Tilney's sibling, would you say something to him about his behavior toward Isabella? Or if you were Isabella's friend, would you try to warn or correct her? What do you think of Henry's reaction to Catherine's concern about the situation?

I guess I might be a bit more bold than Catherine and probably would have chewed her Isabella out for flirting with Captain Tilney. Especially if it were my brother involved. But Catherine's eyes are starting to become open where Isabella and her brother are concerned so maybe if the relationship with Catherine's brother and Isabella breaks off there will be much relief? In these chapters there really isn't much to see of Isabella and her creepy brother though, so we don't know how that is progressing. 
2. After reading all about Northanger Abbey, what are your thoughts of the place? Is it anything like you were expecting? Would you ever want to visit or live there if you could?

I guess I was expecting more of the gothic look like Catherine was. But other than that I really had no expectations. I'm not very visual when I read so I don't tend to get caught up in the descriptions of places. My impression is that it has a lot of rooms though and kind of sprawly which I wouldn't really care for. I also guess if I were on a tour of the countryside it would be a nice stop to visit, but probably not live there. I'm more a cozy cottage kind of gal! But if it had a turret I might be interested...I've always wanted a turret! 
3. How do you feel about Catherine's thoughts and behavior in this section? Was it all harmless intrigue, or do you thinks it's possible to be too caught up in daydreams and fictional worlds?

I think Henry set her up for her imagination to run wild in this section. After all she is an impressionable 17 year old girl. She is totally into the gothic novels of the day that scare the pants off a person and then he adds his story to the pot...poor Catherine didn't have a chance upon arriving there! 

Favorite Quotes:

"And are you prepared to encounter all the horrors that a building such as 'what one reads about' may produce? Have you a stout heart? Nerves fit for sliding panels and tapestry?"

See the set up? Henry is egging her imagination on and she is too young to get that.

"But now you love a hyacinth. So much the better. You have gained a new source of enjoyment, and it is well to have as many holds upon happiness as possible. Besides, a taste for flowers is always desirable in your sex, as a means of getting you out of doors, and tempting you to more frequent exercise than you would otherwise take: and though the love of a hyacinth may be rather domestic, who can tell, the sentiment once raised, but you may in time come to love a rose?"

Tongue in cheek much? ha!

"At any rate, however, I am pleased that you have learnt to love a hyacinth. The mere habit of learning to love is the thing; and a teachableness of disposition in a young lady is a great blessing."

More like the gullibleness of a young lady...

"Catherine had read too much not to be perfectly aware of the case with which a waxen figure might be introduced, and supposititious funeral carried on."

Wow, she really had herself convinced that Henry's father was a dastardly dude capable of perpetrating such a devious ruse. She really needs to stop reading those "horrid" books! 

Thoughts on these chapters:

Is Catherine really heroine material? She seems so young and naive sometimes it makes me wonder if she is even old enough to have a "love" interest. Anyway, these chapters tend to just plod along, I honestly have to say I was more impressed with the beginning of the book rather than these last several chapters. I still love Austen's tongue-in-cheek wit and observation of human character that comes out sometimes unexpectedly. I then find myself snort-laughing as was the case with the hyacinth dialog. Sometimes I find that wit so subtle that I have to go back and re-read something to make sure I read it correctly the first time! 



One more week to go. I wonder what these last chapters will bring? I'm so curious to find out what happens with Isabella and also what seems to be the great "secret" at Northanger, if there is such a secret. Head over to Amber's blog and check out all of the information about the watch-along coming up on March 31. 

Until next week!

Northanger Abbey Read-Along: Discussion 3

Today is discussion three so head over to Amber's blog at Seasons of Humility to check out all the details.

Discussion Questions:

1. How do you feel about the way Catherine handled herself with John, Isabella, and James when they pressured her into ditching her walk with the Tilneys in favor of their own outings? How do you feel about the way she explained herself to the Tilneys?

I'm glad she finally stood up for herself. I think she is way too confused and tossed about by circumstances where they are concerned. I wish she would wise up and dump them! She is way naive where they are concerned and it kind of irritates me sometimes. I can't remember anything specific about the way she explained herself to the Tilneys except in being honest and really isn't honesty the best policy? Catherine seems to always be honest because she hasn't had any experience in having to edit her words or feelings, I like that about her, what you see is what you get. She's sweet, if excessively ignorant of the duplicity of the Thorpes. 

2. Henry, his sister, and Catherine have an interesting discussion about books and education on their walk. What was your favorite part of that conversation? Did any of their opinions on novels, history, or the difficulties in learning to read resonate with you?

Well of course my favorite part of the conversation was this gem:

"The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid."

Spoken by Mr. Tilney. Truer words were never spoken! And now I have GOT to find a copy of The Mysteries of Udolpho to explore this hair-raising tale!

Note: I just looked up the book on Amazon and there is a Kindle copy for free, but there is also a book comprised of all 9 of the "horrid" books mentioned in Northanger Abbey for only .99 on Amazon. Check it out! I bought a copy! http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Northanger-Horrid-Collection-Romance-ebook/dp/B00E7T4IOY/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1458212908&sr=1-5&keywords=the+mysteries+of+udolpho

3. We've been given more glimpses into Henry's character - as well as Catherine's infatuation with him. Do you think Catherine has fallen too hard too fast? Or do you think Henry is proving himself worthy of such admiration?

My verdict is still out on Henry. At the moment he is still not hero material for me. I liked how he expressed himself about novels and such, but there is still some knowledge of him that is lacking. He's elusive maybe? I just can't put my finger on it, but there is something that he is holding back. I frankly can't see what Catherine sees in him. Hopefully once Catherine arrives at Northanger Abbey she will get to know him more and so will we.

Favorite Quotes:

"Where people wish to attach, they should always be ignorant. To come with a well-informed mind, is to come with an inability of administering to the vanity of others, which a sensible person would always wish to avoid. A woman, especially, if she have the misfortune of knowing anything, should conceal it as well as she can."

"John would have me go, for he vowed he would not drive her because she had such thick ankles."
That made me laugh again at Austen and her wit! 

General Impressions:

I have to admit that chapters 11-17 were harder for me to get through. It seems that they weren't as entertaining as the first 11 chapters. Maybe it was just me? But it seems to have bogged down here. I'm disgusted with the Thorpes and growing weary of their antics that is for sure! I'm afraid that the whole conversation that John had with Catherine about James and Isabella's engagement has led him to think that he and Catherine may become engaged, if not in his clumsy way thinking that they are engaged already. This confusion on Catherine's part is what frustrates me about her. The fact that she cannot see where he is going in this conversation or what he is implying makes me want to shake the stupidity out of her!

 Once again I'm thinking that Isabella and James think that Catherine's family has more money than they really do. Have they heard something to that nature or are they assuming that their attachment to the Allen's must mean they are of the same financial circle? With Isabella subtle complaining about the living that James' father bestows on them at their engagement there obviously is an expectation of wealth there. It will be interesting to see what transpires. And again, even though Catherine did kind of defend her father's endowment she still doesn't seem to understand the subtlety(or blatant) hints from Isabella and John's desire to attach themselves to her and James.

I'm definitely anxious to see what happens with these two and how Catherine's trip to Northanger Abbey pans out!

Have you read Northanger Abbey? What are your thoughts? Feel free to share in the comments or leave a link to a post on your blog!

Until next week!!

The Berenstain Bears Mother's Day Blessings by Mike Berenstain

The Bear cubs want to surprise Mama Bear and take her to lunch for Mother's Day. On Mother's Day on the way to church the cubs are surprised to see that not all mom's get the day off of work.

I enjoyed how the story showed that even though these mom's had to work on Mother's Day their families were with them to make their day special anyway. I also liked that the book focused on how important these mom's were to the jobs they were working. A very good lesson for the cubs to learn that mom's are special and all mom's are different and mom's deserve to be celebrated.

This is a part of the Living Lights Faith stories.