Discussion - Week Two - Emma - Chapter 13 - 26

[Jim]

This discussion covers Chapter 13 – 26 (Volume I, chapter xiii – Volume II, chapter viii)

[Jamie]

I'm a little behind but catching up. I haven't read any Austen in a few years and am enjoying the re-introduction. In particular I think she’s the master of the amusing one-liner, and uses it to great effect for social commentary.

For example, of Frank Churchill, “there was nothing to denote him unworthy of the distinguished honor which her imagination had given him; the honor, if not being really in love with her, of being at least very near it, and saved only by her own indifference” - how better to demonstrate Emma’s conceitedness and quickness to take her latest romantic scheming for truth?

Or later, of Harriet during a time of particular misery “To be in company, nicely dressed herself and seeing others nicely dressed, to sit and smile and look pretty, and say nothing, was enough for the happiness of the present hour” left me feeling acutely her loneliness and the difficulty and necessity for a woman of that time to always maintain an appropriate air in society.

I am finding the plot rather predictable, but perhaps that’s part of the point - the reader sees reality far before Emma does, as she instead ascribes motives to her companions actions based solely on whatever romantic attachments she has settled on in her imagination.

[Casceil]

Jaime, I was pleased to see your comment. I had begun to wonder if anyone besides me was still reading Emma. I do think the author does a good job of showing how one's perceptions can be altered by one's expectations, and how quick we are to see what we want to see.

[Jim]

Jamie wrote: "For example, of Frank Churchill, “there was nothing to denote him unworthy of the distinguished honor which her imagination had given him; the honor, if not being really in love with her, of being at least very near it, and saved only by her own indifference” - how better to demonstrate Emma’s conceitedness and quickness to take her latest romantic scheming for truth? ."

One of my favorite lines - but of course, the book is packed with these!

[Elizabeth]

"a woman of that time to always maintain an appropriate air in society." Jamie, this speaks worlds. And it is still like that; I feel so sorry for poor Harriet. Especially when Emma tells her that her marriage to "a mere farmer" would preclude their ever being friends again!

[Sylvie]

I find that the majority of the characters are deluding themselves, either as to their merits or the lack of it, and are unable to gauge their effect on others. This makes for some delightful comic moments, with Mr Woodhouse and miss Bates. Even (dear) Mr. Knightley may be quite unaware of some of his feelings. Most of this self-delusion, I think, stems from having too much time, and above all by the social conventions of the day, the niceties of social interaction. It all smacks of subterfuge, concealment. Ah, the notorious British class system, which fostered such a distorted view of people's worth. Elizabeth, you quote the "mere farmer". Those in trade were also deemed inferior. I can't resist mentioning a lovely little sketch (on You Tube) with Ronnie Corbett who died this week.

[Elizabeth]

"too much time"" This echoes a thought I have had many times, reading Mme. de Sevigne et al; I'll be reading along, fascinated...and then I think: she never did a day's work in her life. Look at these characters: the ones who DO work are sneered at, right?