Emma
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Did Anyone Else Not Like Emma's Character?
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Even Jane Austen knew that readers would not warm to Emma Woodhouse - I don't think you're meant to like her. If she wasn't flawed there would be no need for the wonderful Mr Knightley to reprimand her and remind her of her position of fortune after she is rude to Miss Banks at the picnic: 'Very badly done, Emma.'Austen apparently said something like, 'I'm going to create a character that only I will like.' Great book though!
You are not alone, Emma drove me crazy. In fact, this was one Austen book I was not able to easily finish. It is true that once you know the end it is more tolerable, but it was still like hearing nails on a chalkboard when reading Emma's constant whining. But let's be honest. Don't we all know at least one person that reminds us of Emma?
What I find funny is the complete and utter lack of criticism for George knightly. He was everything that Emma was. Only he didn't elevate anyone. He thought of people as inferior, but not like Emma, who at the very least tries to convince herself that her friend is noble, so she can justify her twisted world view. But for Mr. K that is the way he thinks.
5 years late to the party but oh well. I thought Emma was the worst! She was supposed to have grown and developed and improved as a person but I see no evidence of that considering she thought nothing of Harriet's feelings when rushing to accept Mr. Knightley's marriage proposal. She truly thinks the world revolves around her and her only and has little to no regard for the feelings of others, least of all poor Harriet.
She claims to only want the best for Harriet but she really only wanted to stroke her own ego by proving to herself and Mr. Knightley her supposed matchmaking prowess which, in my opinion, barely precedes her (she makes literally ONE successful match and doesn't know how to act).
I don't think she deserved such a happy ending with Mr. Knightley.
Anne wrote: "What I find funny is the complete and utter lack of criticism for George knightly. He was everything that Emma was. Only he didn't elevate anyone. He thought of people as inferior, but not like Emm..."I always thought about that! The way he was so quick to dismiss Harriet as inferior for Mr. Martin. At least Emma saw her worth.
Anne wrote: "What I find funny is the complete and utter lack of criticism for George knightly. He was everything that Emma was. Only he didn't elevate anyone. He thought of people as inferior, but not like Emm..."I think that was how it was during that time due to the social class system. He did say that he would help to elevate Robert Martin if he could but he can't.
I of course enjoyed the book, and I think Emma one of the most well-written of Austen's Characters, but Emma's treatment of Harriet really put me off her. She uses her when Mrs. Weston moves out, and then simply disgards of her when she decides she does in fact want to marry Mr. Knightly! I do find her whiney, but then I remember her mother had passed away when she was a child and her farther is a borderline control-freak. She does have problems in her life, but nothing compared to Fanny Price, and yet she complains ten times as much. Emma is spoilt and sometimes acts without thinking properly, but she is kind hearted and intelligent; she just needs someone (Perhaps Mr. Knightly) to tell her when she's stepping out of place and hurting someone unintentionally.
Austen herself described Emma as someone that no-one but herself would much like. And I must say I don't love her with as much passion as her creator, but I certainly do as a reader, even if not as much as her other heroines.
Sorry about the long comment... I couldn't help myself.
Yep ... did not like Emma either! Felt a bit of disapointed with this book ... I was excited when I got the book, because I love Jane Austen ... but I did not like the main character at all; she was indeed really spoiled!! But I enjoy the story anyway, and the other characters, Jane Austen discriptions, the way of living ... But for sure I´m not going to read it again, soon ...
It's almost as if Austen sat down and thought to herself "how annoying can I make my heroine without the audience hating her". And Emma is the result. I really like the book and was rooting for her throughout but I have no idea. As vain, childish and snobbish as Emma is, she's also weirdly endearing.
Annaliese wrote: "I love Jane Austen…but I really don't like the book "Emma". Most people talk about it and say "Oh it was such a great idea". And it totally is, except for one tiny problem. Okay one big problem. Em..."I have read Emma and to be honest i really liked it but not because of characters but because of the way of writting . I fell in love with houses, places and the greening of the book. I liked emma ,but didnt fell in love with her as usually happens with other characters in jane austen's books. i liked emma because she cares about others and because she was honest and patient with her father(i still dont get how she stand him) and i really ship her with George knightley
I first attempted to read Emma as a teenager and couldn't finish it because I found Emma herself so unbearable.I went back to it a few years ago and found it delightful. I think with the passing of time I saw her in the context of her environment and was more sympathetic to what Austin was trying to achieve. It's now my favourite Austin book.
Emma is deliciously annoying!
C.A. wrote: "5 years late to the party but oh well. I thought Emma was the worst! She was supposed to have grown and developed and improved as a person but I see no evidence of that considering she thought noth..."I absolutely agree. I saw nothing but a spoilt brat who loved interfering in other people's lives to make herself feel superior. I hated her. I don't think I have ever had that much disdain for a character in any book I hv read. And I've read a few.
I didn’t mind her at all when I first read the book. But when I reread it she started to bother me some, and has irritated me more and more over time. I wouldn’t say I hate her by any means, but her character definitely isn’t as enjoyable to read about, especially when compared to Austen’s other heroines like Elizabeth and Elinor who both have more likable qualities about them.
Annaliese wrote: "I love Jane Austen…but I really don't like the book "Emma". Most people talk about it and say "Oh it was such a great idea". And it totally is, except for one tiny problem. Okay one big problem. Em..."Emma is a complex protagonist who develops her character as the novel progresses. Maybe we need to see her 'in the round'? She 'seems' to possess 'the best blessings of existence' but her world and her role in it are narrow. Highbury, for instance, is only some 16 miles from London but Emma has not been there, she has never seen the sea or even been to Box Hill prior to events described in the novel. She is motherless, like other of Austen's women. She has not attended school despite her wit. She attends upon her valetudinarian father and does so with grace. She has a huge sense of fun and eventually reveals to the reader that she is vulnerable. I would recommend Anya Taylor Joy's depiction of Emma in the recently released film as the depiction captures some of Emma's worst qualities whilst revealing her best.
I am a big Jane Austin fan, but I was never able to enjoy Emma. I suppose the unlikability of her character presents the reader with an inherent dislike, in some cases of the entire novel. I was never able to fully complete the novel, for I found that it contradicted my own ideas concerning love. Emma believes she can matchmake, but in my opinion, you cannot choose which two people should belong together. I do not believe people should put people together, it will never work, and make that person miserable. Because the Emma's character disagrees with my personal opinions, I found her to not be likeable and the entire book frankly disappointed me. Furthermore, I do not believe the novel as a whole to be up to Austin's usual exceptional standards. Austin usually presents a story about three sisters who each will ultimately find love with a middle-class English gentleman. However, the characters Austin usually creates are personable people, who often face the trials and hardships of love with the support of their sisters. Additionally, it is usually the gentleman who will disappoint and dishonor the lady. However, having already been a fan of Austin, I must have found that Emma goes against Austin's usual works, so I could just have a biased opinion, my dislike being solely based off the fact that Emma presents a different situation.
Jane Austen wrote about Emma that she wondered if anyone else would like her. I think Jane identified with Emma to a certain degree. She wasn't really the "gentle Jane" that so many picture.I don't like anyone in Emma except Knightley. All of the other characters either anger me (Mrs. Elton) or irritate me (Mr. Woodhouse).
I don't exactly like Emma, but I don't dislike her. I have known many girls of that age who "knew it all" and were brash and judgmental. And they had nothing like her reasons.I think the point is the growth of her character. Knightley is the perfect lover in that he sees her flaws and wants to see her grow out of them.
Nicole D. wrote: "Agree.I can't stand Emma and think she is a spoiled brat.You are not alone in your opinion."Annaliese wrote: "I love Jane Austen…but I really don't like the book "Emma". Most people talk about it and say "Oh it was such a great idea". And it totally is, except for one tiny problem. Okay one big problem. Em..."
I actually think that the whole "Emma is spoiled and judgmental" thing is the fun and even purpose of this novel? She shows the readers how they behave in the society. Personally, I liked that view very much.
She acknowledges when she is at fault & she is prepared to sacrifice her own happiness to stay with her father.