Emma is my favorite! And you captured why so well here. I also think it’s the funniest of Austen’s novels. The humiliating part of being humbled was the hardest lesson for me to learn.
Thanks for this analysis. You articulated some things that were fuzzy and inarticulate in my own brain. I too very much enjoy Emma as a character. You're right in pointing out that once she's able to see that she's in the wrong, she repents absolutely. It just takes her a while to get there.
I’ve yet to read Austen (I know, I know, just give me some time here), but I thoroughly enjoyed this.
Humiliation is so painful, and it’s hard to not resent it. But what comfort we have that humility serves to increase our faith and virtue. Thanks for that reminder.
I'm so glad you enjoyed this! I'm a huge Austen lover but I never read any of her books until I was 22 (maybe 23). I think reading her books as a mother with a wise perspective on love is a lot of fun because it helps you appreciate how insightful Austen was. If you ever do decide to read, Northanger Abbey is short and very light!
I have always had a soft spot for Emma. She feels so human and I agree that she is unfairly maligned. Her character develops so much in the course of the book which for me makes her a more attractive and relatable heroine. Gwyneth Paltrow’s iconic performance might also have something to do with my persistent fondness for Emma…
Great article, Kelly!
Thank you!
What a lovely post! Emma is my favorite Austen novel, and you have perfectly articulated why it is such a treasure.
Thank you so much, Maddie! I'm so glad you enjoyed and to have found a fellow Emma fan!
Emma is my favorite! And you captured why so well here. I also think it’s the funniest of Austen’s novels. The humiliating part of being humbled was the hardest lesson for me to learn.
Thank you so much! I think it's the funniest as well, in a subtle way. I'm so glad you are a fellow Emma fan!
Thanks for this analysis. You articulated some things that were fuzzy and inarticulate in my own brain. I too very much enjoy Emma as a character. You're right in pointing out that once she's able to see that she's in the wrong, she repents absolutely. It just takes her a while to get there.
Thank you so much - I love your work so I'm glad to hear you enjoyed this!
I’ve yet to read Austen (I know, I know, just give me some time here), but I thoroughly enjoyed this.
Humiliation is so painful, and it’s hard to not resent it. But what comfort we have that humility serves to increase our faith and virtue. Thanks for that reminder.
I'm so glad you enjoyed this! I'm a huge Austen lover but I never read any of her books until I was 22 (maybe 23). I think reading her books as a mother with a wise perspective on love is a lot of fun because it helps you appreciate how insightful Austen was. If you ever do decide to read, Northanger Abbey is short and very light!
I have always had a soft spot for Emma. She feels so human and I agree that she is unfairly maligned. Her character develops so much in the course of the book which for me makes her a more attractive and relatable heroine. Gwyneth Paltrow’s iconic performance might also have something to do with my persistent fondness for Emma…
Becca you always have the best insights on Austen! Thank you for this comment!