Monday, November 25, 2019

Favorite Characters: Henry Tilney (Northanger Abbey)


Truth be told, one of the big hints that Northanger Abbey was Jane Austen’s first novel is the simple fact that Mr. Tilney might be a little too great.  He doesn’t have the same complexity as, say, a Mr. Darcy or Capt. Wentworth, isn’t as flawed around the edges.  As Austen developed further as a writer, she made her heroines and heroes messier and more human.  Mr. Tilney isn’t perfect, but I get the sense that he’s probably as close as one can get to young Austen’s idea of perfect.  That doesn’t leave a whole lot to delve into, but it does make for one supremely enjoyable, hugely likeable character.

In terms of Northanger Abbey and Catherine, our heroine, Mr. Tilney is likely the potential love interest best suited to both her desires and her needs.  Like her, he appreciates a good yarn, but he introduces her to more “refined” interests as well, such as landscapes and drawing.  He has enough mystery about him to appeal to her dramatic side, what with the old Gothic manor house he lives in and the furtive talk surrounding his mother’s death, and he’s all too happy to play to her fancies.  At the same time, though, he’s kind, understanding, and – above all – safe.  Open, artless Catherine could stand to get herself into a lot of trouble in Bath because she believes the best of everyone, even when they don’t deserve it.  But while the Thorpes know just how to work her, Mr. Tilney never veers further from earnestness than taking part in some playful teasing.

Beyond that, the man himself is simply a delight.  He nods at conventions but only to laugh at how stiff and unnatural they are, he’s sophisticated but not snobbish, and his talent for irony is right up there with Elizabeth Bennet’s.  He has a quick tongue and a nimble wit, both of which he employs almost constantly.  The impression he gives is immediately one of a man who is intelligent, good-natured, and entertaining.  I can just picture many a young, clever Regency-era woman eating up a guy like that.

However, it’s important to note that he isn’t actually the Regency-era ideal.  Although he’s from a wealthy family, he’s a second son and makes his living as a clergyman (this latter fact does further recommend him to both Catherine and Austen, though – both women had clergymen in their families that they loved dearly.)  It’s also specifically stated in the book that he’s “not quite handsome,” although “very near it.”  I like that, that he’s not some dreamboat, and that it’s his charisma, manner, and humor that draws Catherine in more so than his looks (the casting of J.J. Feild, pictured above, in the 2007 Masterpiece version goes in a different direction.)

A last, crucial piece of the puzzle is this:  Mr. Tilney is a great brother to his sister Eleanor.  This is important to Catherine, who’s incredibly close to her own brother, and good brothers are highly valued in Austen’s work in general – when Mr. Crawford is trying to woo Fanny in Mansfield Park, he quickly sees that the surest way to her heart is through kindness to her brother William, and who doesn’t love Mr. Darcy’s regard for Georgiana?  As Catherine gets to know both Mr. Tilney and Eleanor, she’s continually charmed by them as a set and admires Mr. Tilney all the more for his affection toward his sister.

Yep.  He’s far from the best, more interesting character Austen ever wrote, but I dare anyone not to like him.

No comments:

Post a Comment