Emma Question 5 Answer and Final Thoughts

These are my thoughts on the fifth, and final, question I wished to explore when reading Emma:

It is often stated that good literature bears re-reading. In what ways is this particularly true of Emma?

To begin with, the descriptions of each social situation could have many different meanings, from many different points of view.  That is a main reason why this book should probably be read more than once in order to grasp the full meaning of the social aspects of this novel.

The same could be said of much of the dialogue of this novel.  It could be taken many different ways, that a second, or maybe even a third reading may be required.  It is even stated in the introduction to the novel that readers pick up something new with each reading of the novel, and I truly believe this to be the case.  I’m confident, that if I were to tackle this novel again, there are many other points that I missed  that I would pick up again.  Perhaps, one day,  I will return to Emma to discover new concepts that I missed in my first reading.

My final thoughts are, that this novel was definitely worth the time.  I had never tackled Jane Austen before, and I think Emma was a good introduction for me to the world of Jane Austen.

Emma Question 4 Answer

These are my thoughts on the fourth question I wished to look at from reading Emma:

Even Jane Austen’s most devoted fans agree that she does not deal with extreme passions, heroic tragedies, or world historical events.  What is it in her work that can appeal to street tough guys, jaded sophisticates, and over-educated academics?

This novel can appeal to street tough guys by showing that women in Emma are tough, and can handle a heck of a lot, injury, being jilted by men, etc.  It also shows how tough of a world, at least in the social arena, that Jane Austen’s world, culturally was.  It’s clear that both men and women needed to have thick skins in order to survive socially.

For jaded sophisticates, this novel shows that English high society keeps things fresh and upbeat.  You never know what can happen in Emma’s world from one day to the next.  It will keep those jaded sophisticates interested with the day-to-day activities.  From the secret engagement of Miss Fairfax and Mr. Churchill, and Emma’s daily activities.

For over-educated academics, this novel can appeal to people because it is displays so many aspects of culture that causes you to scratch your head.  From all the talking about parties, and the social norms, there is enough symbolically to keep one guessing.

It is amazing to me at how many different levels, this novel can be attractive to many different types of people, and how anyone could be pulled into the world of Emma.  This novel clearly demonstrates how it has stood the test of time and is enjoyed by many different types of readers.

Emma Question 3 Answer

These are my thoughts on the third question I wished to look at for my trip through Emma:

At the end of the novel, do Emma and Knightley deserve each other?  Why or why not?

Sure Emma and Knightley deserve each other.  Mr. Knightley deserves Emma because he is the only man who would be able to put up with all her character flaws.  He clearly has no problem pointing out her poor behavior, and Emma only allows Mr. Knightley to get away with those comments.  Mr. Knightley is also the only man willing to move into Emma and Mr. Woodhouse’s home and deal with Mr. Woodhouse and his rapid rise into old age, and his ever decreasing amount of patience.

Emma deserves Mr. Knightley because he is the only one that accepts her for who she truly is, flaws included.  This acceptance allows her to be herself at all times, without any fear of being ostracized.  As mentioned previously, Mr. Knightley is also amenable to accommodating Emma’s persistence in remaining in her father’s home so she can continue to care for her father.  She has also always looked up to Mr. Knightley, and respects him terribly.

They make a perfect match as they clearly understand each others’ points of view, and share a common vision of how their lives going forward should be.

Emma Question 2 Answer

Here are my thoughts on the second question I wish to address about Emma:

“One half of the world cannot understand the pleasures of the other,” says Emma.  Do gender differences constitute an important theme in Emma?  Beyond individual differences in personality among the characters, how do men and women differ in Emma?

Yes, I believe that gender differences do constitute and important theme in Emma.  To begin with, I would like to address this question from a social status point of view.  I get the distinct impression that women, in the world of Emma, view marriage more of a social status, than men do.  I believe this fact because Emma was looking for matches that would improve the social status of her circle.  Whether it was matching her nanny, the new Mrs. Weston, or Harriet to Mr. Elton, she was trying to improve their social statuses.

Men, on the other hand, and Mr. Elton exhibits this trait best, are looking for a woman who will increase their wealth.  Wealth is a very strong social aspect in Jane Austen’s world.  The more money and property men have, the better they are perceived, unlike with women, as I discussed in the previous paragraph.  Men also seem to be looking more long-term in Emma than the women are, between their business interests and their social activities.  The women seem to be looking for the short-term, and how certain activities may improve their standing with potential suitors.

Current day English society is clearly on display in Austen’s Emma, any reader, including myself, can clearly see how culture, and social interactions played a significant role in daily life, and it is so fascinating to me that this culture is something that I cannot experience today.  How fascinating it would’ve been to see this type of society in action!

Emma Question 1 Answer

I finished reading Emma on the plane ride to Paris earlier this month, and I will now be answering the questions that I wished to look at when I began reading Austen’s Emma.  The first question is:

Speaking of Emma, Jane Austen said “I am going to take a heroine whom nobody but myself will like much.”  What would you say is likeable and what is hard to like about the character Emma?

What I found to be likeable about Emma is the fact at how she tries to pleases people.  She tries to match make to see that her closest friends are happy.  She also wants to help people in other ways, and she demonstrates this trait when she meets Harriet and takes her under her wing to in order to introduce her into a higher class of society.  Later on though, as I will discuss, there were ulterior motives in this particular case.

Another significant thing I found likeable about Emma is how much she cares for her family, in particular her father.  She dotes on him and ensures that he isn’t placed in any situations that will cause him any discomfort.  She cares for him so much, that that’s part of the reason why she doesn’t foresee herself ever settling down and getting married.

Emma clearly demonstrating how much better her social status is than those “beneath” her is something that I really dislike about Emma.  She clearly demonstrates this trait in regard to Mr. Martin.  Emma clearly states to Harriet, early on in the novel, how if she were to marry Mr. Martin, Emma wouldn’t be able to visit with her anymore, because Mr. Martin was in such a lower social class than herself.  She wouldn’t be able to be seen in public with someone “perceived” to be beneath her, it would harm her reputation.

Another thing I dislike about Emma is how full of herself she actually is.  I could tell, very early on, that her judgment is clouded by her perception of her world, and that she believes she perceives things differently than anyone else.  This trait is shown when she tries to match Mr. Elton and Harriet.  Emma could not see that Mr. Elton was interested in her, but kept on pushing a match with Harriet.  Her ultimate goal clouded her judgment and didn’t allow her to see other alternatives.

Overall, I liked the character of Emma, and feel, that with a bit more maturing, and life experience, would improve herself to be a wonderful person, and someone I personally wouldn’t mind being friends with, if I happened to meet someone like her.

Emma Volume I – Chapter IX

In this chapter, Emma continues to deceive herself that Mr. Elton is interested in her friend Harriet.  Emma continues on thsi path because of the charade Mr. Elton presents the two of them.

Emma, of course, is able to immediately determine the solution to the charade, and immediately presents it for Harriet to copy into her book.  Harriet is in a state of disbelief.  She goes on to say:

“That Mr. Elton should really be in love with, –me of all people, who did not know him, to speak to him, at Michaelmas!”

When Mr. Elton returned, Emma indicated to him that the charade had been copied into Harriet’s book.  Mr. Elton seemed to be in a state of confusion as to why this charade would be copied by Harriet.  Even though Emma indicated that she only read just a few lines of it.  Mr. Elton’s show of confusion is yet another clue that Emma has misread the entire situation.  The narrator goes on to state:

Mr. Elton certainly did not very well know what to say.  He looked rather doubtingly–rather confused; said something about “honour;” –glanced at Emma and at Harriet, and then seeing the open book on the table, took it up, and examined it very tentatively

The narrator also discusses Emma’s discomfort, so it makes me wonder if she is beginning to see that she’s completely mistaken as to whom Mr. Elton is truly interested in.

Emma Volume I – Chapter VIII

This chapter is quite revealing for Emma.  During Emma’s conversation with Mr. Knightley about Harriet, I discovered how Austen distinguishes between how men and women view social status differently.  I discovered that Mr. Knightley feels the exact opposite of how Emma does regarding Harriet’s social status.

Even though Mr. Knightley feels Emma has done very well with Harriet, by no means does that mean Harriet comes from higher society.  Mr. Knightley also feels she is good enough for Mr. Martin but not for Mr. Elton.  Mr. Knightley also reveals that while, under ordinary circumstances, Harriet’s physical appearance and personality would be enough for any suitor, but in the case of Mr. Elton, Harriet will not do because she isn’t wealthy.  Definitely, Austen is showing that superficial qualities dictated marriage criteria during 17th and 18th century England.

In my opinion, this chapter is the beginning of a revelation that Mr. Elton may not be interested in harriet, and that Emma may have completely misread the entire situation.

At the conclusion of the chapter, Emma is left with the aftermath of an argument with Mr. Knightley that she must deal with.  However, Emma stands by her opinion, and agrees to disagree with Mr. Knightley.

Emma Volume I – Chapter VII

This chapter was quite revealing to me as to Emma’s feelings on social status.  These feelings come to light as a result of Harriet receiving a marriage proposal from Mr. Martin, a “gentlemanly” farmer.  At the outset, Emma offers no opinion about a course of action, but when pressed by Harriet on whether to decline the proposal, Emma states:

Ought to refuse him!  My dear Harriet, what do you mean?  Are you in anay doubt as to that?  I thought — but I beg your pardon, perhaps I have been under a mistake.  I certainly have been misunderstanding you, if you feel in doubt as to the purport of your answer.  I had imagined you were consulting me only as to the wording of it.

To make sure she is quite clear, Emma goes on to state:

I shall not give you any advice, Harriet.  I will have nothing to do with it.  This is a point which you must settle with your own feelings.

It’s interesting to note, that although Emma doesn’t wish to influence Harriet’s decision, indirectly she already has.  She has accomplished this goal simply by her interaction and friendship with Harriet.

After Harriet announces her intentions to decline Mr. Martin’s proposal is when Emma’s true colors show.  Emma expreses her pleasure with the rejection by stating, quite plainly, that she would cease visiting Harriet if she married Mr. Martin because of his social status.  This statement shows how much emphasis she places on the difference in social status and how prejudiced and snobby she truly is.  This exchange also demonstrates how much, and to what extent, Emma has manipulated Harriet for her own devices.

She further proves this fact when after the rejection letter is sent, Emma begins speaking of Mr. Elton to Harriet in order to get her to forget about Mr. Martin.

This chapter, more so than the previous six, has clearly demonstrated how selfish, insensitive, and manipulative Emma truly is.  I certainly hope to see some positive character development from her going forward.

Emma Volume I – Chapter VI

I think it’s important to note, in this chapter, the importance of Emma’s portrait of Harriet, and Mr. Elton’s insisting that it be accomplished.  Mr. Elton praises how Harriet will be a perfect subject for Emma’s talents.  Emma, of course, downplays abilities, especially after she completes the portrait, but Mr. Elton can find no obvious fault with the rendition.  Emma finds the praise noteworthy because she believes it is geared toward Harriet, when in reality, it seems to be geared toward Emma.  Emma’s misplaced assumption is further proved by the fact that earlier in this chapter, she continues to sell Mr. Elton’s finer qualities to Emma.

Another thing that makes me believe that Mr. Elton is ultimately interested in Emma is the value he places on the portrait.  He volunteers to take it to London to have it framed appropriately, and insinuates further how much he values it and Emma’s talents.  Emma, of course, deludes herself, once again, thinking that this praise is for Harriet and is clearly blinded by her own ambition.  Mr. Elton’s attitude toward the painting, even though Emma admits it’s flawed, clearly shows how his feelings are clouding his judgment.

Emma Volume I – Chapter V

I think this chapter is important for a few different reasons.  I think it’s telling that it deals with Mrs. Weston and Mr. Knightley discussing the new relationship between Emma and Harriet.  During this dialogue, Mrs. Weston defends the relationship; however, Mr. Knightley knows that no good can come from it.  He sees exactly what Emma is up to.  He sees that Emma is using Harriet for her own devices, and that Harriet will not be better off because of it.

Something that really stood out to me was how Mr. Knightley indicated that Mrs. Weston was not suited to be a very good governess to Emma since she was under Emma’s spell.  The only thing that Mrs. Weston seemed to learn was how to be subservient, in other wards, she received a good education from Emma,  and in essence, that is what will make her a good wife to Mr. Weston.

However, the most important revelation in this chapter, I feel, is the way in which Mrs. Weston gets Mr. Knightley to admit some fascination with how attractive Emma is, and how he views her.  Mrs. Weston asks questions of Mr. Knightley in order to get the information out of him.  I found this passage to be quite revealing in this regard with Mr. Knightley commenting:

“I do not know what I could imagine, but I confess that I have seldom seen a face or figure more pleasing to me than hers (Emma).  But I am a partial old friend…”  …”I have not a fault to find with her person,” he replied.  “I think her all you describe.  I love to look at her; and I will add this praise, that I do not think her personally vain.”

I think this passage demonstrates that Mr. Knightley may, perhaps, feel a bit more than simple friendship toward Emma, but I’m not entirely for sure.  However, the seeds may be planted, and Mr. Knightley may be starting to see Emma in a new light.  Mrs. Weston actually makes another strong point, by revealing a key fact that was, up to this point, unknown:

“She (Emma) always declares she will never marry, which of course, means nothing at all.  But I have no idea that she has yet ever seen a man she cared for.”

This statement is cleverly placed during their conversation, perhaps to point out to Mr. Weston that Emma hasn’t been interested, nor shown any interest, in any man she has come into contact with.  Perhaps that statement is meant to prove to Mr. Knightley that there may not be any competition if he decides to pursue Emma’s affection.  It will definitely be interesting to see how this new plot line plays out.