Like many of Jane Austen’s other novels, Northanger Abbey hinges on the central question of whether a young person will become a good judge of other people’s character and see the world as it really is. As Catherine meets new people and experiences new things, she has to learn how to discern other people’s true motivations and to become better at regulating her own imagination and feelings. Catherine has some instincts of her own regarding what is proper versus improper conduct, but by and large she is over-reliant on what other people think of her, which initially leaves her vulnerable to Isabella’s flattery and ignorant regarding General Tilney’s motivations. Eventually, Catherine learns that part of becoming an adult is making decisions for oneself and being more discerning as to other people’s motivations and conduct.

As Catherine becomes more experienced, she also learns to see her own flaws more clearly. She recognizes how she has misjudged others: Isabella’s manipulation in trying to get her involved in a reconciliation with James finally opens her eyes to how false a friend Isabella really is, while the conduct of General Tilney helps her recognize that his apparent kindness was based only on his belief that she was a wealthy woman.