「ことわり書き」付き小説 Northanger Abbey : 出版事情と〈異化〉〈同化〉

Unlike other Jane Austen novels, Northanger Abbey (1803) is not so popular and rarely dramatized, and if anything, it is considered merely as one in the series of her works. Austen herself seemed to lack confidence as to whether the novel would be published or indeed would even sell. However, she did finally prepare to publish it, tacking on an "Advertisement by the authoress" to the beginning of the novel. Northanger Abbey was in difficult circumstances at the time of publication. First, the book was written in the burlesque style of the Gothic romance (novels of terror) and her publisher who made a large profit on the sales of Gothic romances hesitated to publish it. Second, especially most books by `lady novelists\u27 were not highly esteemed by educated people, the main purchasers of books for their family libraries. Third, in those days (from the late 18th to early 19th century), books were still expensive, with the result that circulating libraries were becoming popular throughout the country, which meant books were rented at those libraries rather than being purchased. In the meantime, the times had changed and the novel was out of date. Unfortunately, Austen wrote the novel based on the society of 1790s, when the terror of the French Revolution deeply affected the thoughts and feelings of the people. "Thirteen years have passed since it [the novel] was finished, and many more since it was begun," she wrote and the fear of impending wars or riots together with the craze for the Gothic romance was by then almost over. She was aware that the readers would experience `defamiliarization\u27 in the heroine Catherine\u27s enthusiasm for mock-Gothic scenes in her novel. On the other hand, Catherine was a new type of heroine in the history of the novel. She stood out as the reverse of Gothic romance heroines. She was not beautiful, rich, or very talented and there was no secret to her birth. In other words, she was just another ordinary girl. The love story of such a 17-year-old would be a novelty to readers at that time. Austen might also have considered that Catherine, like a girl next door, would be `familiar\u27 to any reader, even if time has passed. Austen did not give up on her. Northanger Abbey, Austen\u27s first novel, became a bound set with Persuasion, her last novel, and was published in 1817. Catherine finally appeared on the world stage with the mature heroine Anne Elliot (27) of Persuasion, after her creator\u27s death