Not entirely Emma's invention

Quick Index Board Index Home FAQ Site Map

View thread | Previous message | Next message

Not entirely Emma's invention Written by Tarn (1/28/2011 8:29 a.m.) in consequence of the missive, Harriet was Emma's doll, penned by Glenn

Fanny Burney's Evelina (in Evelina or the History of a Young Lady's Entrance into the World) was a 17 year old, of obscure birth, raised in a secluded village.

Due to convolute circumstances before her birth 'this deserted child, though legally heiress to two large fortunes, must owe all her rational expectations to adoption and friendship'.
If Evelina had had a capable friend like Emma, to iron out her rusticities, teach her the rules of Assemblies and the art of avoiding undesirable connections, she would have made a most eligible match on her first foray into society and been spared the bother of writing at least two score of letters on the subject of her own mortifying stupidity. Alas, she did not, and her naivete brings her the ridicule of London and Bristol, and forces her to suffer the embarrassment of many low acquaintance.

This odd similarity between Emma's presumptions and Evelina makes me think Emma may have read books other than the ones she listed to receive credit for her judgment. Her self-gratulation on this project as a 'very kind undertaking' (3) could hardly be explained in a world where country girls of unknown origin don't turn out to be the daughters of rascally baronets, and imperfect ball room protocol does not lead to miseries of the acutest kind.

Previous message | Next message | Board index

Emma the Snob -- her terrible attitude toward Robert AnnetteJ (1/26/2011 11:37 a.m.)

Harriet was Emma's doll Glenn (1/26/2011 12:24 p.m.)
- Yes, that whole concept of Harriet being a gentleman's AnnetteJ (1/26/2011 12:31 p.m.)
- she could never believe that in the same situation Stephanie (1/26/2011 4:42 p.m.)
  - I understood this .. Reeba (1/26/2011 4:53 p.m.)
    - certainly was not clever, Stephanie (1/26/2011 5:16 p.m.)
      - Well... that would have been Ramya (1/26/2011 5:22 p.m.)
  - Emma's strong sense of identity Anne-Marie (1/26/2011 6:10 p.m.)
- Harriet was brought to Hartfield.. Reeba (1/26/2011 7:55 p.m.)
  - seeming [] so artlessly impressed Stephanie (1/27/2011 9:49 a.m.)
    - I agree there. Reeba (1/27/2011 3:52 p.m.)
      - Miss Woodhouse was so great a personage in Highbury, Stephanie (1/27/2011 4:40 p.m.)
        
        Another view of Harriet's "Martin" stories Erica M. (1/27/2011 10:58 p.m.)
  - That's not how I read it Nina RG (1/27/2011 11:43 a.m.)
    - I don't think that either. Reeba (1/27/2011 3:39 p.m.)
    - Me Either BarbaraB (1/27/2011 4:29 p.m.)
      - Hmmm. I'm beginning to give up...   Reeba (1/27/2011 5:23 p.m.)
        
        Harriet   BarbaraB (1/27/2011 10:50 p.m.)
        
        Harriet has a blind trust in Miss Woodhouse   Nina RG (1/28/2011 4:51 a.m.)
        
        Harriet   Bridget D (1/29/2011 2:55 a.m.)
        
        Mr Martin the dilatory reader   Tom P2 (1/31/2011 10:27 p.m.)
        
        LOL   Patricia AA (1/31/2011 11:39 p.m.)
        
        Good Catch nfm   BarbaraB (1/31/2011 11:47 p.m.)
        
        Well said! (:D) nfm   Robbin (2/1/2011 12:19 a.m.)
- Not entirely Emma's invention Tarn (1/28/2011 8:29 a.m.)
youthful naivete' for one... jeffrey (1/26/2011 12:33 p.m.)
- Mr. Knightley thought highly of [the Martins] Stephanie (1/31/2011 8:17 p.m.)
Emma’s snobbery Robbin (1/26/2011 1:29 p.m.)
- Personally I think Reeba (1/26/2011 4:00 p.m.)
- Selective snobbery? Ramya (1/26/2011 5:18 p.m.)
  - Emma's attitude to her governess Nikki N (1/27/2011 1:29 a.m.)
    - Governesses and class Bridget D (1/29/2011 3:33 a.m.)
  - He had still a small house in Highbury Stephanie (1/27/2011 9:44 a.m.)
I agree Laraine (1/26/2011 4:03 p.m.)
I felt the same way about Emma, particularly when she says Bhearni (1/26/2011 4:05 p.m.)
I agree with Tamtam (1/27/2011 11:00 a.m.)
Emma and Class BarbaraB (1/27/2011 5:39 p.m.)
- Had Ch4 on my paper but forgot to include it BarbaraB (1/27/2011 6:46 p.m.)
- Well - said! I think that Austen was treading on AnnetteJ (1/28/2011 8:35 a.m.)

Groupread is maintained by Myretta with WebBBS 3.21.

View thread | Previous message | Next message Board index

- Jane Austen | Republic of Pemberley -

Quick Index

Home

Site Map

JAInfo