~Blog Post #2~
Topic I
April 24, 2015
by Sarah Speranza
In the book, “Emma,” by Jane Austen, the relationship of
Harriet Smith and Emma reminds me of a relationship I witnessed in grade
school. Emma describes Harriet as “short, plump, and fair; with a fine bloom,
blue eyes, regular features, and a look of great sweetness” (20). All
throughout the night on which she first meets Harriet, Emma examines her
behavior and dubs her as Emma’s next project; she “would improve her, she would
detach her from her bad acquaintance, she would introduce her into a good society,
she would form her opinions and manners” (20). Harriet loves Emma like a puppy
loves its mother. Harriet is simply unable to form her own opinions, and Emma
even convinces her to refuse the proposal from the man she truly loves because
Emma thinks he is “very unfit to be the intimates of a girl who wanted only a
little more knowledge and elegance to be quite perfect” (20). Although Emma
probably thinks that she is doing right by taking Harriet under her wing, she
treats her like a lapdog who is unable to think a complete thought. Emma seems to think that Harriet needs her if
she wants to have a happy and successful life, but in reality, I believe that
Emma is just bored and wants someone to love her unconditionally as Miss Taylor
did when she was still around. I have experienced similar situations in my
life. Girls would become good friends with the girl who blended in with the
crowd, a little awkward and shy. They would take the girl under their wings and
show her the “good life” of popularity. In the end, it never turned well for
the girls who were dragged around like lapdogs. I am guessing Harriet will have
a similar outcome as the girls I know.
Sarah I agree with what you are stating about Harriet’s and Emma's relationship. Since Harriet “had no visible friends”(20), Emma steps in and takes over. Emma almost takes the role of being a friend-sister-advisor-life coach in Harriets life. Harriet is a humble girl and just like in real life is often overshadowed. Emma usually does the talking for Harriet and I imagine that Harriet often feels insecure. I have seen in my life that girls will often have very confident, loud friends and next to them they just feel small and insecure. Emma's conversations with Harriet tend to bring out more about about Emma's personality then Harriet's. Emma in a real life situation would be the popular girl with the shy friend who doesn’t say much and does whatever the popular one tells her too. Overall Harriet and Emma have a very interesting relationship that is similar to many girls relationships today.
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