Emma
By Jane Austen
Penguin Classics October 2011, Originally published in 1815
392 pages
From the library
Emma Woodhouse is committed to a few things - taking care of her father, spending time with her friends, and playing match-maker. Emma herself has decided that she will never marry, but she knows she is the perfect person to find a husband for her protegee Harriet Smith. Her friend Knightley tries to dissuade her, but Emma is determined to help. When everything goes wrong, is it possible for relationships to be repaired?
As per usual with Jane Austen, Emma is a satirical look at the construction and limits of class. But this book is a bit more on the nose than some of her others, so the satire can be difficult to see it if you don't know what you are looking for. Emma is forever concerned with appearances and what is appropriate for each person to do. While this story is obviously about Emma herself, it is also about an entire community. We are introduced to many other memorable characters, including the constantly worried Mr. Woodhouse, the talkative Ms. Bates, and the vain and self-centered Mrs. Elton.
Because we see the story through Emma's eyes, the reader can either choose to take what she says at face value or look a little deeper. She is always positive that she knows best, even as it becomes apparent that what she believes is not always accurate. Her stubborn insistence gives her room to grow and change as a character, though. Emma has great realizations throughout this book about her knowledge of herself and the people in her life. She is one of those characters that cause people to take sides - either you adore Emma and think she is one of the greatest characters ever written or you wish that she would wise up already!
In this book, Jane Austen has a very clear message to get across to readers. Her characters are varied, by class and personality. How do we react when presented with people who look and act differently than we do? Some characters react with haughty cruelty because they believe themselves to be better. Emma is the story of one woman learning to truly see the people around her and treat them with love and compassion.
As per usual with Jane Austen, Emma is a satirical look at the construction and limits of class. But this book is a bit more on the nose than some of her others, so the satire can be difficult to see it if you don't know what you are looking for. Emma is forever concerned with appearances and what is appropriate for each person to do. While this story is obviously about Emma herself, it is also about an entire community. We are introduced to many other memorable characters, including the constantly worried Mr. Woodhouse, the talkative Ms. Bates, and the vain and self-centered Mrs. Elton.
Because we see the story through Emma's eyes, the reader can either choose to take what she says at face value or look a little deeper. She is always positive that she knows best, even as it becomes apparent that what she believes is not always accurate. Her stubborn insistence gives her room to grow and change as a character, though. Emma has great realizations throughout this book about her knowledge of herself and the people in her life. She is one of those characters that cause people to take sides - either you adore Emma and think she is one of the greatest characters ever written or you wish that she would wise up already!
In this book, Jane Austen has a very clear message to get across to readers. Her characters are varied, by class and personality. How do we react when presented with people who look and act differently than we do? Some characters react with haughty cruelty because they believe themselves to be better. Emma is the story of one woman learning to truly see the people around her and treat them with love and compassion.
