Emma blog on volume II

Volume II gives greater clarification into why Emma struggles with these various mixed emotions. The first aspect I looked at in preparation for my seminar was what characters connected to Emma in significant bonds and what that told me about Emma. There is the connection between her and Mr. Elton, Mr. Frank, Jane, and even Ms. Elton. I looked at Emma and Jane as “frienemies” similar to my teacher’s thoughts.

I believe that she wants to like Jane because she sees the genuinely good nature that she possesses; however, she will not allow herself to because she is jealous of these same qualities. She sees the lack of heart in herself, “Why she did not like Jane Fairfax might be a difficult question to answer: Mr. Knightley had once told her it was because she saw in her the really accomplished young woman, which she wanted to be thought herself” (Ch. 20). Ironically Jane is not even a truly accomplished woman; she simply got into upper society after being rescued by colonel and guidance from Emma. The fact that Jane has the potential to use her knowledge and attract respected men such as Knightley scares Jane. Emma is threatened by the appearance of power in anyone in her society even if she has helped them; there is almost a necessity to control her environment due to fear. This quote shows the jealousy she feels towards her, but she also struggles with the thoughts of admiration, “It was a style of beauty, of which elegance was reigning character, and as such, she must, in honour, by all her principles, admire it: elegance, which, whether of person or of mind, she saw so little in Highbury. There, not to be vulgar, was distinction and merit” (Ch.20). Emma has selectively chooses when to judge based of appearance and when to get to know a person. There is no denying the pleasant presence that she brings to her environment and it scares Jane that she carries more personality and care when dealing with others.

What I learned from this volume is that although appearances may seem to reveal one thing they can have multiple meanings. In the beginning I viewed Emma was selfish and spoiled, but she is really a product of her environment. During the regency era women were expected to be the entertainment and act civilized. She is forced to paste on this fake smile even in the presence of her enemies; therefore even when she makes a mistake she has been programmed to not acknowledge it, “It was a bad business. She would have given a great deal, or endured a great deal, to have had the Martins in a higher rank of life. They were so deserving ….Impossible! She could not repent.” (Ch. 23). Emma was blind at first, not asking people if they even wanted her help, but she makes progress in the fact that she can acknowledge when her plan backfires. I cannot fault her for sometimes appearing malicious and uncaring because at times we all can act the same way. Austen created this character to act as a mirror for ourselves. We are quick to stand by our decisions and attain power, but where do we draw the line?

Emma Blog I

I have recently started reading the novel Emma by Jane Austen. Initially I was turned off by the dated diction used. Due to the fact that the characters speak with English accents sometimes the understanding of the passage is lost. I appreciated the description of Emma as rich and oblivious because with this back story I was able to comprehend the future concepts.

First, I noted an aspect where Austen expresses an overall satire of the society in which the main characters live. Having the main characters all wealthy and powerful then puts all people lacking the same materialistic means in the position of an outcast. Intelligence unfortunately is measured in wealth, “It must be done directly; it must be done in London; the order must go through the hands of some intelligent person whose taste could be depended on”. London is probably all she knows, but to her that is the only place with sense. It is ironic that the order has to go through someone with intelligence when its only a simple order. She wants to demean the lower class even without them present, just because. She makes her self look foolish and uppity by not wanting her clothes touched by a lower class person.

Second, I noted a place where Emma was blind. In this case to be blind is her revealing her true ignorance, “No, he is not her equal, indeed, for he is as much her superior in sense as in situation. Emma, your infatuation about that girl blinds you.” Emma sees all the potential in Harriet for her own good. The fact that Harriet has been accompanying her and picking up her mannerism she has begun losing herself. Having her gain a little of her power makes her believe she is above Mr. Martin. This shows how in denial Emma really is because Harriet has never worked a day in her life; whereas, Mr. Martin is a hard working man simply looking for love. She is so concerned with making Harriet a robotic inhumane person that she does not even see the sincere qualities in this man. She is blind to how she has offended her friend Mr. Knightley. This man is Mr. Martins mentor of the same class and he sees the “street smarts” and potential in him and just wants to see him happy. The fact that she puts Harriet on such a high pedestal is repulsive to him.

Third, I saw where Emma’s complex character was revealed. Though she “seems” to be caring about her friends and may actually care she does it through manipulation. This is seen through, “I lay it down as a general rule, Harriet, that if a woman doubts as to whether she accept a man or not, she certainly ought to say “no” directly…I thought it my duty as a friend, and older than you to say thus much to you.” She puts Harriet in the position of a lose-lose situation. If she ignores advice from an elder she is seen as rude and loses her “friend”; however, by following Emma she may lose her true love. In these instances Emma uses her power of influence over a naïve youth and for that reason I view her as heartless.

I plan on learning more and more about Emma and her varying ways further into novel. Whether her medaling will lead to her downfall is to be decided.