Emma and Reality
~Blog post #3~
Topic B
May 1, 2015
By Alie Reily
In Emma by Jane Austen, Emma Woodhouse has
a difficult time admitting her faults.
She claims that she is a good matchmaker, but has trouble when she sets
up a bad pair. Emma is certain that Mr.
Elton and Harriet would be a good match; as the novel progresses, she soon
begins to notice that she had been wrong.
First, there was speculation that Mr. Elton had feelings for Emma, but
the even bigger surprise is when he gets married. This is a significant change for Emma. Previously, the only person who could admit
that she has faults is Mr. Knightly. On the other hand, even though Emma is
coming to the realization that she is wrong, she has a very difficult time
swallowing her pride and admitting it.
Emma grows to greatly dislike Mr. Elton, to the point where she “[grows]
sick at the sound” of the discussion of his wedding (240). Emma even refers to his absence as a period
of “three weeks of happy exemption” (240).
As Emma cleans up the aftermath of her attempt to match Harriet and Mr.
Elton, more of Emma’s character flaws come to the surface. Even though she does not acknowledge them at
first, it is possible that she will accept her errors as the book continues. The first chapter is written in a coming of
age format; it would not be surprising if the end of the book is written in the
same way.
Alie, I completely agree with your opinions about Emma Woodhouses transformation throughout the book. In the beginnings of the book, Emma is controlling and manipulative, especially with Harriet. As the book progresses, Emma begins to see the faults in her matchmaking ways. Part of the reason that she begins to see her flaws is because of Mr. Knightly. He is always pointing out Emma's mistakes when no one else is willing to do so. He makes her second guess her actions and helps her make better decisions throughout the book. I believe if it weren't for Mr. Knightly, Emma would never have made such a significant change in character.
ReplyDeleteAlie, you pointed out some very good points about Emma. I think you can justify the reason Emma is not good at admitting her faults, with the way she grew up. Emma grew up in a world where she was use to “having rather too much of her own way”(5). As she grows older and isn’t handed everything, she struggles. I feel as though Mr. Knightley is good for Emma because he challenges her ideas and pushes her out of her comfort zone. I believe this will eventually force Emma to mature and carry herself with more control. Regarding your comment about the beginning and end of the book being in a coming of age format, I could also see that. That would bring the book full circle very nicely.
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