Assignment. Major :-12

Collage name :- Maharani shree nandkuverba mahila arts and commerce college

 

 Name:- Mohinani Harshita pavanbhai

T.y B.A - SEM - 5

Subject :- English

Paper name :- A study of the novel 

 

Professor name :- shivani ma'am

" Class assignment "

🌸Northanger Abby

                        By- Jane Austen

 Introduction of Northanger Abby :

Northanger Abbey is the first novel that Jane Austen completed for publication, though it was published posthumously in 1817. The story follows Catherine Morland, a young and naïve girl who loves reading Gothic novels. When she visits the fashionable city of Bath, she is introduced to society, friendship, love, and deception. Later, she is invited to stay at Northanger Abbey, a grand but old estate, where her imagination—fed by Gothic tales—leads her to misunderstand the real world.

The novel is both a coming-of-age story and a satire of Gothic fiction, showing how imagination and reality can clash. Through Catherine’s journey, Austen explores themes of innocence, experience, friendship, love, and the importance of learning to judge character wisely.

About Jane Austen :

Jane Austen (1775–1817) was an English novelist known for her keen social commentary, wit, and masterful storytelling. She is best remembered for her six major novels:

“Pride and Prejudice” (1813)

“Sense and Sensibility” (1811)

“Emma” (1815)

“Mansfield Park” (1814)

“Northanger Abbey” (1817, posthumous)

“Persuasion” (1817, posthumous)

Born: December 16, 1775, in Steventon, Hampshire, England

Died: July 18, 1817, in Winchester, at age 41

Writing Style: Satirical, insightful, and focused on themes of marriage, class, and morality

Characters :-

👩‍🦰 Catherine Morland

The main character.

A kind, innocent, and curious girl who loves reading novels, especially scary (Gothic) ones.

She sometimes imagines too much and mixes fiction with real life.

She learns and grows wiser by the end.

👨‍🦱 Henry Tilney

A smart, kind, and funny young man.

He becomes Catherine’s love interest.

He likes books and has good manners.

He helps Catherine understand the real world better.

👩 Eleanor Tilney

Henry’s gentle and caring sister.

She becomes Catherine’s good friend.

She is polite and supports Catherine.

👨 General Tilney

Henry and Eleanor’s strict father.

He first treats Catherine well because he thinks she is rich.

When he finds out she is not rich, he becomes rude and unkind.

👩 Isabella Thorpe

A charming but selfish girl.

She becomes friends with Catherine but only for personal gain.

She flirts with many men and breaks Catherine’s trust.

👨 John Thorpe

Isabella’s rude and boastful brother.

He likes Catherine, but she does not like him back.

He lies to others to get what he wants.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Minor Characters

👨 James Morland

Catherine’s older brother.

He falls in love with Isabella Thorpe.

Gets heartbroken when Isabella betrays him.

👨 Frederick Tilney :

Henry’s older brother.

A handsome but careless man.

Flirts with Isabella, which causes problems.

👨 Mr. And Mrs. Morland :

Catherine’s kind and simple parents.

They support her but don’t interfere too much in her life.

👩 Mrs. Allen :

A fashion-loving woman.

Catherine stays with her in Bath.

She is kind but not very clever.

👨 Mr. Allen :

Mrs. Allen’s calm and wealthy husband.

He supports Catherine’s trip to Bath.

🌸 Summary of Northanger Abby 

 

The story follows a young and innocent girl, Catherine Morland, as she leaves her quiet village life to explore the world. She learns about love, friendship, imagination, and reality.

Catherine’s Early Life:

Catherine Morland is a 17-year- old girl from a kind and simple family. She grows up in a peaceful country village. She is not a perfect heroine—she is plain, innocent, and very fond of reading Gothic novels. Her mind is often filled with fantasies and mysteries, which sometimes make her misunderstand real-life situations

Journey to Bath:

When Catherine turns 17, she gets a chance to go to Bath, a lively and fashionable city, with her neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. Allen.

In Bath, she Attends balls and social events , makes new friends , meets Henry Tilney a charming , witty and intelligent man.she becomes close to Isabella Thorpe who seems friendly but is selfish and greedy.

Friendships and Misunderstandings:

Catherine’s brother, James Morland, comes to Bath and falls in love with Isabella. They get engaged, but soon, Isabella starts flirting with Frederick Tilney (Henry’s brother) for his money. At the same time, John Thorpe, Isabella’s brother, wrongly believes Catherine likes him. He lies to others about being engaged to her, causing confusion.Catherine slowly realizes Isabella’s friendship is not genuine.

Visit to Northanger Abbey:

Catherine is invited by the Tilney family to their grand house—Northanger Abbey Because of the Gothic novels she reads, Catherine imagines the Abbey will be full of Dark secrets , Hidden rooms , A mystery about the death of Mrs. Tilney . She even suspects General Tilney, Henry’s father, of imprisoning or murdering his wife.But Henry calmly explains that her ideas are just imagination. Catherine feels embarrassed and starts to understand the difference between fiction and real life.

Rejection and Heartbreak:

Suddenly, General Tilney sends Catherine away from Northanger Abbey without explanation. Catherine is shocked and deeply hurt.She returns home, believing she will never see Henry again. She later learns that John Thorpe had lied to the General, saying Catherine was very rich. When the General finds out she is not, he becomes angry and rude.

Reconciliation and Happy Ending:

Henry Tilney disobeys his father and visits Catherine. He tells her that he loves her and asks her to marry him.Eventually, General Tilney accepts their marriage, after learning that Catherine’s family is respectable, even if not wealthy.The novel ends with Henry and Catherine happily married, and Catherine learns the Difference between imagination and real life and between true or false friends .

*Themes :-

1. Coming of Age / Growth and Maturity

       The novel shows how Catherine Morland grows from a naive and imaginative girl into a mature and sensible young woman.She learns to judge people better and understand the difference between fantasy and reality.

2.    Appearance vs. Reality

 Catherine imagines Northanger Abbey to be full of mysteries, like a Gothic novel.But she learns that real life is different from fiction.This theme shows how imagination can mislead us.

3.     Satire of Gothic Novels

Jane Austen makes fun of popular Gothic novels of her time.Catherine reads too many of them and starts imagining ghosts and secrets.Austen shows how unrealistic and silly those stories can be.

4.     Social Class and Marriage

     The novel explores how people marry for money and status, not always for love.Catherine is judged by others based on her wealth (or lack of it).Austen criticizes this attitude.

5.     Friendship and Deception

 Catherine learns that not everyone who seems friendly is trustworthy.Characters like Isabella Thorpe pretend to be kind but are selfish.True friendship, like that of Eleanor Tilney, is shown as valuable.

6.     Reading and Imagination

  Books have a strong influence on Catherine's thoughts.Austen shows that reading is good, but one should not let it cloud judgment.Imagination is powerful but should be balanced with reality.

🗨️ Conclusion :- 

At the end of the novel, Catherine Morland, who has grown from a naïve and overly imaginative young girl into a more mature woman, learns to see the difference between fiction and reality. After being suddenly sent away from Northanger Abbey by General Tilney (because he wrongly assumed she was poor), Catherine returns home heartbroken. However, Henry Tilney, who truly loves her, defies his father and proposes marriage. Eventually, General Tilney realizes that Catherine’s family is respectable and allows the marriage.

👉 The conclusion highlights Catherine’s personal growth, the triumph of sincerity and true love, and Jane Austen’s satire on the dangers of confusing novels with real life.

** Home assignment **

✨ Question and answer 

      Unit 1&2 : 

1.What is Jane Austen best known for?

A: She is known for her novels that critique the English landed gentry of the late 18th

century.

2.Who is John Dashwood?

A: He is Henry Dashwood’s son from a previous marriage, known for being selfish and unkind.

3.Who is Henry Dashwood in Sense and Sensibility?

A: He is the father of Elinor, Marianne, and Margaret, and dies early in the novel.

4.Who is Mrs. Dashwood, and how does she relate to her daughters?

A: Mrs. Dashwood is the mother of Elinor, Marianne, and Margaret. She is romantic in nature and very close to her daughters, hoping to see them married well, though she lacks Elinor’s sense of restraint.

5. How is Elinor Dashwood portrayed in the novel?

A: Elinor, the eldest Dashwood daughter at 19, is sensible, composed, and discreet. She often conceals her own pain to protect her family and serves as a foil to her emotional sister Marianne.

6.What are the main traits of Marianne Dashwood?

A: Marianne is 17, emotional, impetuous, and openly romantic. She expresses her feelings without reserve and often disdains societal expectations, unlike her more reserved sister Elinor.

7. Who is Margaret Dashwood and how is she characterized?

A: Margaret is the youngest Dashwood girl at thirteen. She tries to imitate Marianne’s romantic ideals but is less extreme; she’s caught in the awkward stage between childhood and adulthood.

8.What is Edward Ferrars like, and what is his connection to Elinor?

A: Edward Ferrars is Fanny Dashwood’s brother. Shy and kind, he shares a mutual affection with Elinor, but he is reserved and hard to read, often giving her mixed signals about his feelings.

9.How is Lady Middleton different from her husband, Sir John?

A: Lady Middleton is elegant, vain, and emotionally distant. Unlike her husband, she dislikes company and finds little interest in others, despite taking great pride in her ill-mannered children.

10.Who is Mrs. Jennings and what is her personality like?

A: Mrs. Jennings is Lady Middleton’s jolly but vulgar mother. She constantly jokes about suitors for Elinor and Marianne and shares her love of company and humor with her son-in-law, Sir John.

11. What is Colonel Brandon’s role in the story?

A: Colonel Brandon is a 35-year-old, kind-hearted former officer with a serious demeanor. Though Elinor respects him, Marianne initially finds him too dull and unromantic for her tastes.

12. How is Mr. Palmer described in the novel?

A: Mr. Palmer is a bitter, sarcastic man who insults others, especially his wife. His

unpleasant demeanor alienates those around him, despite his wife's constant apologies for his behavior.

13. Why does Willoughby marry Miss Grey?

A: Willoughby marries Miss Grey for her wealth, not love, choosing financial security over his feelings for Marianne.

14. Who is Dr. Harris and what does he do?

A: Dr. Harris is the physician who treats Marianne during her serious illness at Cleveland, ultimately helping her recover.

15. Where did Henry Dashwood live, and who owned the property?

A: Henry Dashwood lived at Norland Park in Sussex, England, which was owned by his wealthy uncle before being inherited by his son, John.

16. What happened to Henry Dashwood’s daughters after his death?

A: They were left with little fortune since Norland was inherited by John's family. Henry asked John to care for them, but John, influenced by his wife Fanny, chose not to provide financial support.

17.How did John Dashwood initially plan to help his half-sisters?

A: John planned to give each sister £3,000, but Fanny convinced him to keep the money for their own son instead.

18.How does Marianne first meet Willoughby?

A: Marianne meets Willoughby when she falls during a walk and he gallantly carries her home in the rain, making a strong first impression.

19.Why do the Dashwoods move to Barton Park?

A: Mrs. Dashwood accepts an offer from her relative, Sir John Middleton, to live in a cottage on his estate after being left with little money following Mr. Dashwood’s death.

20.How does Marianne meet Willoughby?

A: Marianne falls while walking in the rain, and Willoughby, a passing gentleman, rescues her and carries her home, making a dramatic and romantic first impression.

21.Why does Margaret think Marianne and Willoughby are engaged?
A: Margaret sees Marianne give Willoughby a lock of her hair, a very personal gesture, and assumes it means they are secretly engaged.

22.How does Marianne react to Willoughby’s departure?

A: Marianne is heartbroken and falls into a deep sadness, unable to hide her feelings of loss and disappointment.

23.What does Elinor learn about Willoughby’s relationship with Marianne?

A: Elinor finds out that Willoughby and Marianne were never formally engaged—he had only implied romantic intentions without any real commitment.

24. How does Mrs. Jennings try to cheer Marianne up after her heartbreak?

A: Mrs. Jennings predicts that Marianne will now end up marrying Colonel Brandon, trying to comfort her after Willoughby’s betrayal.

25.What happens during the Dashwood sisters' outing to the jeweler?

A: They run into a rude gentleman ordering a custom toothpick case—later revealed to be Robert Ferrars—and also unexpectedly meet their brother John.

UNIT : 3 & 4

✨THE OLD MAN AND THE SEA

1.Who was Ernest Hemingway?

Answer: Ernest Hemingway was an American novelist, short-story writer, and journalist known for his economical and understated writing style.

2.When and where was Ernest Hemingway born?

Answer: He was born on July 21, 1899, in Oak Park, Illinois, U.S.

3.What notable awards did Hemingway receive?

Answer: He received the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1953 and the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1954.

4.Who is Santiago in The Old Man and the Sea?

Answer: Santiago is the old Cuban fisherman who is the main character of the novella. He has gone eighty-four days without catching a fish but remains hopeful and determined.

5.How is the marlin symbolic in the novella?

Answer: The marlin symbolizes Santiago’s ultimate challenge and also reflects his dignity and connection to nature. Though he loses the fish, it represents his greatest triumph.

6.Who is Manolin in The Old Man and the Sea?

Answer: Manolin is a young boy, Santiago’s apprentice and loyal companion, who first went fishing with him at the age of five. Although forced by his parents to fish with another boat due to Santiago’s bad luck, Manolin still deeply cares for him and supports him emotionally and practically.

7. Why does Manolin stop fishing with Santiago?

Answer: Manolin’s parents force him to join a more successful fishing boat because they believe Santiago is unlucky after not catching a fish for 84 days.

8.Who is Joe DiMaggio, and what is his significance in the novel?

Answer: Joe DiMaggio is a real-life baseball player admired by Santiago. Although he never appears in the story, Santiago often thinks of him as a symbol of strength and perseverance, especially because DiMaggio played through pain (a bone spur) and still succeeded.

9.Who is Martin in The Old Man and the Sea?

Answer: Martin is a café owner in Santiago’s village who, though never appearing in the story, often gives Santiago food through Manolin. Santiago acknowledges Martin’s generosity and believes he deserves to be repaid.

10.Where does Santiago live and work as a fisherman?

Answer: Santiago lives on the coast of Cuba near Havana.

11. How many days has Santiago gone without catching a fish?

Answer: Santiago has gone 84 days without catching a fish.

12.What kind of stories does Santiago tell Manolin?

Answer: Santiago tells stories about baseball legends and his younger days fishing off the coast of Africa .

Essay of assignment 

**Essay on feminism**

"Feminism : A movement for equality "

Introduction

Feminism is one of the most powerful social and intellectual movements in human history. It is based on the simple idea that women deserve the same rights, respect, and opportunities as men. For centuries, women were considered inferior, denied education, political power, and even basic freedoms. Feminism emerged as a response to these injustices, seeking to break down social, cultural, and economic barriers. Today, feminism is not only about women’s rights but also about creating a fair and just society for all.

Historical Development of Feminism

Feminism has evolved in waves, each focusing on different issues faced by women.

1. First Wave (19th – early 20th century)

Focused on legal and political rights, especially women’s suffrage (the right to vote).

Leaders like Mary Wollstonecraft, Sojourner Truth, and Emmeline Pankhurst fought for women’s education and participation in politics.

Achievements: Women in many countries gained the right to vote, own property, and receive formal education.

2. Second Wave (1960s – 1980s)

Focused on workplace discrimination, reproductive rights, and equality in personal relationships.

Writers like Simone de Beauvoir (The Second Sex) and activists like Gloria Steinem questioned traditional gender roles.

Achievements: Laws against workplace discrimination, greater access to contraception, and a stronger presence of women in professional fields.

3. Third Wave (1990s – 2000s)

Focused on diversity and individual identity.

It recognized that women are not all the same and may face different challenges based on race, class, sexuality, and culture.

Achievements: Feminism became more inclusive, highlighting the voices of women of color, LGBTQ+ women, and women from different cultural backgrounds.

4. Fourth Wave (2010s – present)

Focuses on digital activism and fighting harassment, gender violence, and inequality through social media movements like #MeToo.

Achievements: Open conversations about sexual harassment, pay gaps, and gender-based violence have gained global attention.

** Impact of Feminism

Education – Today, millions of girls worldwide attend schools and universities, something once impossible in many societies.

Politics – Women like Indira Gandhi, Angela Merkel, and Jacinda Ardern have led nations, proving that leadership is not limited to men.

Law and Rights – Laws against domestic violence, child marriage, and workplace harassment were influenced by feminist movements.

Society – Feminism has changed how people think about marriage, parenting, and shared responsibilities between men and women.

Conclusion

Feminism is not just a movement; it is a revolution that has reshaped society. It has fought against centuries of inequality and continues to inspire change worldwide. True feminism is not about women versus men—it is about creating a balanced world where both can thrive equally. Without feminism, progress in education, politics, and human rights would not have been possible. Feminism is the voice of justice, freedom, and equality—and it remains one of the most important movements of our time.