~Blog Post #4~
Topic J
May 8, 2015
by Sarah Speranza
Although “Emma,” by Jane Austen seems to have a simple,
meaningless title, a title is an important factor to any book and usually has
significance. The book is obviously named after the main character Emma, but it
is unusual for Jane Austen to title her book something so simple due to the
fact that her other titles such as “Pride and Prejudice” and “Sense and
Sensibility” are much more complex. The title Emma had significance also
though. The entire book is centered around her life and her relationships with
other people and getting “rather too much of her own way”, as the title
indicates (1). With the titled named after her, the reader can expect the novel
to also revolve around her, which it does. The titles of Jane Austen’s other
books normally display emotions of some sort, but this title is simply one
name. It is possible that Austen felt that Emma was too complex of a character
to pin down into a few adjectives or descriptor words. Emma is kind and considerate,
yet intrusive and opinionated. She is independent, yet lonely. She is strong,
yet vulnerable. Her traits are all across the spectrum, and therefore she can’t
be summed up into a few words.
ReplyDeleteSarah, you make some very important points. This book was a first for jane Austen in a sense that she chose a simple title to show the complexity of a character. In a way its ironic that the title seems simple but in reality is much more complex. I feel the title doesn’t give anything away. when seeing it you think that its just a book about a girl named Emma, nothing more nothing less. It goes much deeper. The book is centered around Emma but it also explores the lives of others and the lives of those she effects. Emma is such a complex girl, whose emotions are always changing she can’t be pinned down but a couple adjectives. She's a character with layers upon layers of emotion and characteristics. The title of Emma may indicated a simple book and simple girl but once you dig in the novel, and emma both become more complex.
Sarah, I like your take on the title of this book. I had heard of other Jane Austen books before, but never paid very close attention to the titles of her books. Now that you pointed it out, this is an unusual title for one of her books, but I also agree with you when you say there is a reason behind it. I feel as though the title for this book is very fitting because, like you said, it captures Emma’s perception of herself right off the bat. I agree with your point that it is hard to pin point Emma, using only a few words. From reading, I have realized that her emotions and personality changes as she interacts with different people and experiences different events.
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