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Emma | Austen Jane

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#pemberlittens I love Emma! ❤ It may be my favorite Austen novel (until I read P&P again). There are a good number of people who dislike this one and dislike Emma because in their opinion she is spoiled and snobby. I don't find her any more concerned with class and position than any other of Austen's characters, but I am intrigued that the very qualities some readers dislike her for are the same qualities our beloved Mr. Darcy displays in P&P ⬇️

staci.reads I believe she is Austen's female equivalent to Darcy. I see many parallels between the books. Mrs. Elton is the female equivalent of Mr. Collins, socially inappropriate, pompous, completely unaware of what people think of her, and won't stop talking about the manor she is loosely connected to (ie Rosings v. Maple Grove). Mr. Woodhouse is an equivalent to Mrs. Bennet, constantly complaining about health/nerves & not taken seriously by daughter. ⬇️ 4y

staci.reads Harriet is similar to Bingley, loyal sidekick and guided by their friend with the stronger personality, even to the point of being talked out of being in love with the person they are in love with (Robert Martin / Jane Bennett). 4y

staci.reads I'm not sure what it is about the novel Emma that makes people react so differently than they do to P&P, but it intrigues me. And I will remain. #TeamEmma 😁 4y

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Lcsmcat I never thought of Emma as a female Darcy. Interesting idea. I‘m Team Emma too, but for me it‘s because she‘s young and socially isolated/inexperienced. She has less exposure to the world than Fanny Price! And her care of her father shows her to be unselfish and kind. 4y

sprainedbrain I LOVE this review, and all of the connections you make to P&P. 👏🏻👏🏻 4y

Chrissyreadit I love this review - I love Emma ❤️❤️❤️ 4y

quietjenn I find the myriad of reactions to Emma fascinating. I think this may actually be my favorite Austen novel (at least until we get to Persuasion). 4y

Sparklemn Great observations by all of you! 4y

tenar Great review! I watched the latest film adaptation last night and had this story on the brain. Your point of view makes me want to read it again! 4y

Palimpsest Fantastic review. P&P and Emma are my two favorites, but never made these associations. I‘m glad you mentioned class as well because I feel Emma is unfairly judged for something that, for lack of a better word, was unfortunately normal in this time period and I think that is what leads some people to call her a snob. I think she was spoiled and given her way by Mrs. Weston and her father and has some faults, but I‘m team Emma. 4y

CarolynM Brilliant review, I had never thought of those connections with P&P, but you are absolutely right. I've always thought of Emma as a cautionary tale, especially for the young and experienced - what you see happening is not necessarily what is really going on. 4y

Bookwormjillk Love this. I‘m #TeamEmma too, but never made these connections. 4y

AnneCecilie Love this review. I never made the parallels to P&P, so this gave me something to think about 4y

batsy Great review! Those are interesting parallels and so apt. I used to be irritated by Emma but I think it's because she's a character that forces us to turn the mirror on ourselves 🙂 This time around I'm appreciating how formally perfect this book is as a novel...Austen doesn't make a single misstep, imo. 4y

SamAnne Total #TeamEmma. It is my favorite. 4y

staci.reads @Lcsmcat I agree. A lot of her thinking can be racked up to immature and inexperienced. It really is a coming of age story. 4y

staci.reads @sprainedbrain @Chrissyreadit Thank you. I felt a need to defend my girl 😂. I've just always found it interesting that we find Darcy's journey from prideful and overbearing endearing, while Emma's nearly identical arc annoys so many people 🤷‍♀️ The feminist in me gets a little snarky about it 😁. 4y

staci.reads @quietjenn I find the variety of reactions interesting too. And yes, Persuasion is a delight 🥰 4y

staci.reads @tenar I didn't care much for the most recent movie adaptation. I really prefer the 1996 version. 4y

staci.reads @Palimpsest Thank you. I agree, not only historically does her attention to class and position check out, but even within the book, every character makes references to class. It makes me think of Darcy's quote "As a child...I was given good principles, but left to follow them in pride and conceit...I was spoilt by my parents...allowed, encouraged, almost taught me to be selfish and overbearing; to care for none beyond my own family circle; to thinkto Such I was, from eight to eight and twenty; and such I might still have been but for you, dearest, loveliest Elizabeth! 4y

staci.reads @CarolynM Thanks! I like that- a cautionary tale of perception vs. reality. 4y

staci.reads @AnneCecilie @Bookwormjillk Thanks! Maybe I see some of myself in Emma, and that's why I feel compelled to defend her 😅 4y

staci.reads @batsy I agree, the book's structure is flawless. I have always been in awe of Austen's talent for characterization. Somehow, even though she wrote these novels over 230 years ago, I still recognize the characters as people that could/do exist now. 4y

Chrissyreadit @staci.reads I agree with you women have been taught to excuse behavior in males they do not condone in females. I love how Austen weaves an evolution in Emma with secondary characters whose importance makes them all primary characters. The feminist in me spends most of the day being snarky 🙌👋 4y

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