The real evils indeed of Emma's situation were the power of having rather too much her own way, and a disposition to think a little too well of herself; these were the disadvantages which threatened alloy to her many enjoyments. The danger, however, was at present so unperceived, that they did not by any means rank as misfortunes with her.
The narrator - Emma by Jane Austen
It’s easy for a first time reader to file Jane Austen’s well-drawn Emma into a mental file drawer firmly marked “SNOB” and leave her there.
But don’t.
There is a rewarding journey to be made with Emma and it pays to give her character time to develop, to meddle (quite a lot) and then to season with her experiences - especially if you reading Emma for your first time.
"Mr. Knightley, in fact, was one of the few people who could see faults in Emma Woodhouse, and the only one who ever told her of them...."
Emma - Chapter 1 - Emma by Jane Austen
This masterpiece includes more clear and vivid detail than any other Austen novel and brims with rich Regency detail, period flavor and common manners & customs. And surprisingly enough, Jane Austen’s well-constructed written conversations present an array of human emotions & reactions that will ring true to readers of any time period.
Truly, there is a happy benefit in slowing down, being observant and lending attention to the character development carefully wrought, the clues released by seemingly unimportant characters and the method that Jane Austen used to allow us to follow along with Emma - to see others as she sees them, to judge others as she allows herself to do and to involuntarily wince at the toes that she steps firmly upon while executing her schemes.
Emma was published on the 23rd of December in1815 in three volumes and was dedicated reluctantly by Miss Austen to the Prince Regent, George Augustus Frederick at his request. This uncle to Queen Victoria was Prince Regent from 1811 – 1820 and was not a favorite of Jane Austen.
Emma
By Jane Austen
TO
HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS
the Prince Regent,
This Work Is,
By His Royal Highness’s Permission,
Most Respectfully Dedicated,
by His Royal Highness’s
Dutiful
And Obedient
Humble Servant,
The Author
This fourth published book was the only Austen novel to be named after its heroine and the last to appear before Jane Austen died in 1817. Jane Austen broke literary ground in writing Emma. Authors before Miss Austen either put their reader directly into the mind of the protagonist by using 1st person narrative or related their actions from a more distant 3rd person view. In Emma - Jane Austen masterfully combined the two - blending the narrator’s thoughts with the feelings and reflections of the character under focus - using a method we now call free indirect speech. This allowed her reader to walk beside Emma and to believe and understand events as she does, but with an added ability to cringe at her mistakes while they are still unknown to her.
Emma Woodhouse, handsome, clever, and rich, with a comfortable home and happy disposition, seemed to unite some of the best blessings of existence; and had lived nearly twenty-one years in the world with very little to distress or vex her.
Chapter 1: The opening sentence. - Emma by Jane Austen
Before she began Emma, Miss Austen is said to have written, “I am going to take a heroine whom no one but myself will much like.”
And she was highly successful. For nearly 200 years later, readers are still conflicted over whether to love or hate Emma Woodhouse. Austen has skillfully and lovingly created a central character in this comedy of manners that fearlessly interferes in other people’s lives and prides herself in being an expert and intuitive matchmaker. Admired and adored by both her widowed father and Miss Taylor, her kind-hearted governess, Emma possesses one unfailing and unbiased voice into her life – neighbor to her family home of Hartfield, Mr. Knightley. But will his voice of reason and truth break through her fearless meddling and determined self-deception?
"Mr. Knightley, in fact, was one of the few people who could see faults in Emma Woodhouse, and the only one who ever told her of them...."
Emma - Chapter 1 - Emma by Jane Austen
We continue reading our beloved Jane Austen with our Winter Book Breakfast choice of Emma. We will be discussing this book on Saturday, January 26th, 2019.
Better be without sense, than misapply it as you do.
Chapter 8: Mr. Knightley to Emma - Emma by Jane Austen
