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Emma has always been lower of my list of Jane Austen’s books because she came across as frivolous and cruel at times, but this rereading of it gave me a new understanding and appreciation for her. Yes, Emma is self-centered and frivolous but that’s kind of the point, isn’t it? The truth is, she does care deeply for those around her, especially her father, and whenever her deficiencies are pointed out to her by those she loves and trusts, she listens, believes them, and changes her behavior. Yes, Emma makes mistakes, but she deeply regrets them, and does her best to make them right. She is only 21, and has lived a very sheltered life in a time where class distinction was everything. It’s not surprising that she, who has always been praised and reminded of her station, would feel herself above others.
Even at the end of the book, Emma still has stuff to work on regarding class prejudices, which makes me wonder if Austen held similar class-based beliefs. Though she makes Harriet her particular friend and imagines her marriage to men “above” her station, turns out that’s only because she thinks she’s secretly the daughter of someone highborn. When Emma finds out Harriet’s father is merely a wealthy merchant, she’s like, “oh, it’s a good thing none of my plans worked out, she can marry a farmer now. And we probably can’t be good friends anymore.” Hopefully marrying Knightly, who seems to be fine having friendships in other classes, will help her get over that.
As for Mr Knightly, he is certainly an upright, conscientious man, thoughtful and kind to everyone. I’m not a huge fan of age gaps, though, especially when then older one says he first fell in loved when the younger was 13 and he was 29. You looked at that literal child, who you admit was spoiled and selfish at times, and felt romantic love for her? Sure, it was a different century, when age differences of that nature were more normal, but it still gives me the ick. At least he stayed in his older-brother role until Emma was an actual adult, and didn’t push anything physical on her ever.
I really appreciate what Mr Knightly always said to Emma about Jane and Miss Bates- how much her attention to them would be a huge help to their lives. Especially after the day at Box Hill, his harsh words to her seem to be the wake up call she needed. It’s like the principle that you need to punch up with jokes, not punch down, for them to be both kind and funny. It’s a good principle to live by these days as well.
As for Frank and Jane’s deception, it definitely was a bad call, but at least Emma’s feelings weren’t actually hurt. While it had the potential to break hearts if both Emma and Frank hadn’t sensed each other’s romantic disinterest, it still messed with everyone else’s heads, from Knightly and the Westons’ assumptions and poor Jane having to see Frank constantly flirting with Emma. Emma admitting her coldness towards Jane was jealousy was progress on her end, as well - it didn’t help that Mr Knightly was always singing her praises, haha.
Overall, I appreciated the journey Emma went on through this book, and look forward to reading some adaptations to see which parts of the story they focus on.