Whereas other gothic novels include caricatures of heroes, this particular novel is significantly more realistic and reasonable; its characters contain humane flaws and are portrayed to the scale of a normal person. This aspect sets the novel apart from others, especially those from the time period of Jane Austen. The defiance of societal conventions and the originality of the characters contribute to the uniqueness of Northanger Abbey, making it a widely-admired book and one that is still a relevant topic of discussion today. Not unusually, Austen was less privileged growing up because she was a female. She was not allowed a continued education and even published her works anonymously in the beginning. Because of these experiences, she advocated female equality in her writing, and this is how the character of Catherine Morland developed. Austen’s unique experiences and early interest in literature led her to become the illustrious author she is known as today, centuries after her