Re-read: Emma
Emma by Jane Austen
"Emma Woodhouse, handsome, clever, and rich, with a comfortable home and a 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."
With an opening line as that, it's very easy to detest Emma, but I've always considered her as one of my favorite Austen characters. Yes, in the first half of the book, she is so overbearing and so deluded with her own pre-conceived notions (and even borderline obnoxious), but I really love how her character strives to better understand herself, as well as the others around her. I think that's one of the ultimate pieces of a coming-of-age story: how one goes from a self-centered view, to a more compassionate one. Her fiasco with Miss Bates seems like a distinct blunder only Emma can make, but actually it made me think of how easy it is to be hurtful, simply because you're not thinking of the impact of your words.
The first time I read it I was 16/17, so of course, I focused on the romances and matchmaking. I remember being distinctly surprised that Mr. Knightley was the hero Austen intended for Emma - but I guess because back then I thought an age gap of 17 years was slightly creepy. This time around, I really found myself laughing at the wonderful irony that Austen infuses into her writing. So many passages had me chuckling, including these gems:
[At the Weston's ball, when it was decided that Mrs. Elton should lead the dance]
Emma must submit to stand second to Mrs. Elton though she had always considered the ball as peculiarly for her. It was almost enough to make her think of marrying (296).
[After Mr. Knightley and Emma are engaged, and they take tea with her father]
Poor Mr. Woodhouse little suspected what was plotting against him in the breast of that man whom he was so cordially welcoming, and so anxiously hoping might not have taken cold from his ride. Could he have seen the heart, he would have cared very little for the lungs [...] (398).
I also have to wonder at Mr. Knightley. What was the man doing before he settles down with Emma? Wouldn't a wealthy, landed gentleman in his early 30s have at least some marriage prospects? There's a spinoff I'm sniffing out here.
In other book news, I must be in a classics mood, because I got these in the mail:
Me buy a book because of the cover? Never!