ipl-logo

Edmund Burke's Perception Of The Sublime In Northanger Abbey

1276 Words6 Pages

This essay attempts to examine the presence of Edmund Burke’s perception of the sublime in Northanger Abbey. In order to familiarise Burke’s work to this text, it is essential to recap on his theory of the sublime so as to get a more fluent understanding of the given task. Burke’s theory can then be applied to Northanger Abbey therefore analysing the set question. Edmund Burke is a scholar concerned with the ability to experience the sensitivity of the sublime conscience. His work ‘A Philosophical Enquiry into the Origin of Our Ideas of the Sublime and Beautiful’ introduces the idea of the sublime state on the mind. He believes that in order to experience the sublime, pain and pleasure must both be initially present. You must experience mental pain and fear with the recognition that this distress is of a fictional nature. It is then that the sense of pleasure is introduced in the delight of relief. (Burke 71) He also states that “If one gets too close to the perception, they no longer experience sublime emotions, only fear” (Burke 30) By this, he is stating that if a bizarre creature comes into contact which is too close, there will be no sense of a sublime relief, only the emotion of fear. Another concept which Burke addresses is the idea of ‘tranquillity’ or ‘indifference’ in this he states that; ‘When we have …show more content…

According to Edmund Burke, utter amazement as a result of excitement can also be a sublime experience. Catherine Morland, comes from a modest family in the small rural town in North Hampshire in England, so when the Allen family offers an invitation to visit Bath on a trip, Catherine undoubtedly accepts with sheer enthusiasm and anticipation at what lies ahead. Her vulnerability and innocence is highlighted in the opening chapters of the story “…she was often inattentive, and occasionally stupid” (Austen 8), this highlights her openness to experiencing the

Show More
Related

Edmund Burke Summary

629 Words | 3 Pages

Edmund Burke Background/ Short Bio: Edmund Burke was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1729 where he was educated at Trinity College. Edmund Burke served in the british parliament from 1765 to 1794 as a member of the liberal whig party. Through the period of his life burk Burke was also an author, political theorist, and philosopher. Burke died in 1797. Edmund Burke’s Views: Virtual Representation:

Read More

The Great Gatsby Women

1861 Words | 8 Pages

Bernice’s dull life and outlook on it is changed when Marjorie informs her, “‘What a blow it must be when a man with imagination marries the beautiful bundle clothes that he 's been building ideals round, and finds that she 's just a weak, whining, cowardly mass of affectations!’” (Fitzgerald, “Bernice Bobs Her Hair” 5). Marjorie wants Bernice to become an interesting person who does not live for the chance to please a man. When Bernice asks her cousin, “‘Don 't I dance all right?’ Marjorie responds, ‘No you don 't-- you lean on a man; yes you do-- ever so slightly” (Fitzgerald, “Bernice Bobs Her Hair” 6).

Read More

Jfk Inaugural Address Tone

1459 Words | 6 Pages

In the phrases used, the ability to create a sublime feeling can be

Read More

Selfish Ambition In John Steinbeck's East Of Eden

791 Words | 4 Pages

Patience becomes one important attribute that Catherine has to master during this part of her life. Catherine encounters a man named Mr. Edwards and tricks him by acting in the guise of a sweet, innocent woman. The gullible man suspects nothing unpleasant out of Catherine henceforth. Then she seduces Mr. Edwards into acquiescing a house where she can temporarily reside. It appears Catherine begins to wisely think further ahead in her life as she grows older, for the actions she takes affects her ability to reach the life she desires.

Read More

The Plots Of Deception In Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey

999 Words | 4 Pages

The notion that a young woman must be either engaged or pursuing an engagement was a common standard for women in the 19th century. Women looking for an engagement, must uphold high standards with strong morals as well as being wholly pure of both body and mind. Jane Austen depicts the main characters of her novels as being strong individuals in the midst of these societal standards. These significant morals in Northanger Abbey, influence the characters, such as Catherine and Isabella, in how they make their decisions. Additionally, the main character Catherine Morland, a young lady, learns the ways of presenting herself in the best light possible.

Read More

Coming Into The Country Analysis

1076 Words | 5 Pages

Whether it results in awe and delight or trepidation and fear, nature can wreak profound havoc on our senses. Humans loose themselves in the wonders of their natural environments and are compelled to revel in the simplicity with which wildlife thrives on. The beastliness of the reality of life in the wild can be jarring and unexpected because something about nature causes humans to consider it beautiful, even the dangerous, terror-inducing parts. In the excerpt from Coming into the Country by John McPhee, the author explores the beauty of the terror that is nature. McPhee illustrates the idea that humans are enthralled by the beauty of nature, even though in reality it is scary and unpredictable, because it appeals to the inherent primitiveness of human beings.

Read More

How Does Harwood Use Terror To Evoke The Sublime?

1061 Words | 5 Pages

To begin, the author uses terror to evoke the sublime by foreshadowing the coming of danger in the reader. First of all, the actions of a seemingly innocent person foreshadows

Read More

Emotional And Character Development In Bronte's Jane Eyre

1588 Words | 7 Pages

To deliberate these points further, the setting of Gateshead, Lowood and Thornfield will be closely analysed. Additionally, it will discuss how Bronte used the setting of Jane Eyre, to demonstrate that women can go beyond the oppressive limitations of their gender, and social class and find fulfilment. It will also consider how the setting reflects the political and social conditions of the era. The novel opens with a vivid description of the setting at Gateshead, which epitomises the first stage of the protagonist’s Jane Eyre’s life journey and her childhood development. The passage declares that ‘the cold winter wind had brought with it clouds so sombre and a rain so penetrating’ (Bronte, Jane Eyre, [1847] 2000, 1.1, all subsequent page

Read More

Gender Norms In The Story Of An Hour By Kate Chopin

632 Words | 3 Pages

However, Louise contradicts the gender norm of Victorian society as she sits in her room “drinking the elixir of life” rather than grieving for her husband. She is engulfed with joy because she is happy to be free from

Read More

Northanger Abbey Comparison

1440 Words | 6 Pages

Though at first the melodrama and overplaying of the imagination scenes may seem to be a typical blunder on the part of the movie makers, they are actually consistent with Catherine’s character and poke fun at the melodrama often portrayed in movies of similar genres to Northanger Abbey. This parody on other films mirrors Austen’s parody of the gothic novel. Still, on the whole, there is something to be desired when looking at how the gothic does and does not find its way into the movies. Though the imagination scenes certainly do portray gothic scenarios as Catherine perceives them, they poke more fun at overdramatized film adaptations of romantic and 19th century novels than they do at the genre’s themselves. Furthermore, the imagination scenes are

Read More

To One In Paradise Edgar Allan Poe Analysis

761 Words | 4 Pages

Poe inserts unsettling and edgy diction simulating his own thought process, captivating and intense metaphors along with a riveting and vehement spirit to promote the reader a better comprehension on his own perception of emptiness. After reading, “To One in Paradise,” one could conclude Edgar Allan Poe believes that nothing pure, is guaranteed to last, therefore it can be a serious fault by assuming that one could possibly could ever achieve full control of their own serendipity and

Read More

Literary Analysis Of Miss Brill

1171 Words | 5 Pages

Miss Brill, a lovely respectable women who lives in a perfect world or so we thought. Miss Brill seemed to be a happy being, who as though was a cheerful optimist, didn 't see the sadness of herself but she did of others. In the text ‘Miss Brill’ written by Katherine Mansfield, Miss Brill feels as if she appears to be wanted by others, but only plays a part in a fantasy world. The reality is, she is not wanted and is just a lonely old women. The author shows the difference between appearance and reality by using a range of language features to show that Miss Brill has her idea of herself as a fantasy and the way that near the end, reality hits her.

Read More

Northanger Abbey A Bildungsroman Analysis

1084 Words | 5 Pages

Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey is a Bildungsroman, a coming of age story that focuses on the psychological development of the protagonist, Catherine Morland. This essay will analyse the language and narrative techniques of the extract, and discuss how it suggests vicissitudes in Catherine’s personal perspectives and relationships. In addition, it will discuss the ‘domestic gothic’ and abuse ubiquitous in ordinary situations. Furthermore, it will argue how Austen’s rhetorical techniques work to encourage reader interest as well as exercising perception when distinguishing between appearance and reality. Finally, it will conclude by briefly discussing the significance of the extract within the novel’s wider themes.

Read More

Analysis Of Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey

1098 Words | 5 Pages

Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey is a Bildungsroman, a coming of age story that focuses on the psychological development of the protagonist, Catherine Morland. This essay will analyse the language and narrative techniques of the extract, and discuss how it suggests vicissitudes in Catherine’s personal perspectives and relationships. In addition, it will discuss the ‘domestic gothic’ and abuse ubiquitous in ordinary situations. Furthermore, it will argue how Austen’s rhetorical techniques work to encourage reader interest as well as exercising perception when distinguishing between appearance and reality. Finally, it will conclude by briefly discussing the significance of the extract within the novel’s wider themes.

Read More

Nervous Division Vs Motor Division

758 Words | 4 Pages

Have you ever wondered why you react to a certain situation, like how you jump when cold water is being poured down your back . How you react is an example of what the nervous system does for you. So what is the nervous system? The nervous system is a complex collection of nerves and specialized cells known as neurons that transmit signals between different parts of the body. The nervous system is responsible for controlling how your body acts and what it does, such as talking, walking, breathing, learning, and swallow.

Read More

More about Edmund Burke's Perception Of The Sublime In Northanger Abbey

Related Topics

Open Document