Emma wrongs the Martins

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Emma wrongs the Martins Written by Robbin (1/28/2011 10:28 p.m.) in consequence of the missive, 21st Century Emma, penned by Sarah Yorkshire

I like Emma. I am on a continuing quest to know her but that entails looking at her faults as well as her assets. I also feel discussion of faults is often the livelier of the two and usually the most informative. (:D) It is easy to understand how Emma grew “a disposition to think a little too well of herself” (1) since she has always had “the power of having rather too much her own way” (1) but I don’t think that it was inevitable. She might have followed the example of her excellent friends—her father, Mrs. Weston and Mr. Knightley instead. Mr. Woodhouse is concerned for his servants, Mr. Knightley is concerned Emma will teach Harriet to be discontented with her lot in life (5) and I can’t imagine gentle Mrs. Weston describing the neat and sensible looking Robert Martin as clownish.

Ramya said Emma “is ready to discount the true worth of people simply based on their class” and I feel that is evident in her unflattering and unfounded assumptions about farmer Robert Martin. This can be called a prejudice in that Emma has “an unfavorable opinion or feeling formed beforehand or without knowledge, thought, or reason” (dictionary.com). Both definitions apply. Emma decides beforehand that he is not worthy of Harriet although he was born legitimate of a respectable family. Second, Emma gives no real consideration to what Harriet tells her about the Martins or Robert specifically. I do not think the Martins are the unworthy rustics Emma suggests. Take a look at these posts from the 2005 and 2008 Emma group reads which relate the fashionableness of Alderney cattle and how the books and reports Robert Martin reads illustrate that he may be better read than Emma.

Beware of perusing the threads containing these posts because they may have spoilers for chapters we have not read yet:

Here is an early 19th century Written by JulieW (3/31/2008 10:48 a.m.)
http://www.pemberley.com/bin/library/emmagr2008.cgi?read=32513

And in addition Written by JulieW (4/4/2008 8:42 a.m.)
http://www.pemberley.com/bin/library/emmagr2008.cgi?read=32744

Knox and the Elegant Extracts. Written by JulieW (1/26/2005 8:46 a.m.)
http://www.pemberley.com/bin/library/emma2005.cgi?read=9052

I agree the rule of polite society was rather stricter than it is today but so far Emma is not a shining example. When Robert Martin meets with Emma and Harriet on the Donwell road he does exactly as etiquette demands since it is up to Emma to notice him: “after looking very respectfully at her [Emma]” he “looked with most unfeigned satisfaction at her companion [Harriet]” (4). Although he is clearly happy to see Harriet he acknowledged Emma, the highest ranking person first and then spoke with Harriet “but a few minutes… as Miss Woodhouse must not be kept waiting” (4). Emma chooses not to notice Mr. Martin which is her prerogative. However if Emma had truly wished to be gracious and honor her friendship with Harriet she would not have held back her notice of a man who is admired by her friend and in whose house she was very kindly and generously treated. Robert Martin may not need Emma’s charity but it is a foolish and ungracious assumption on her part that he is unworthy of notice. (:D)

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The Martins (longish) Nina RG (1/27/2011 2:55 p.m.)

This another reason why I love the group reads... jeffrey (1/27/2011 4:02 p.m.)
- The Martins sound like people most of us would like to AnnetteJ (1/27/2011 5:40 p.m.)
  - Disliking Emma - the reader's dilemma Melinda Mary (1/27/2011 5:53 p.m.)
    - Emma's attitude toward the Martins Anne-Marie (1/27/2011 6:36 p.m.)
      - Exactly on her social level?   Kathleen Glancy (1/28/2011 11:14 a.m.)
        
        My mind   Robbin (1/28/2011 4:15 p.m.)
        
        Match-making poor Mr. Woodhouse   Ramya (1/28/2011 8:57 p.m.)
        
        Mr. Knightley and Miss Taylor   BarbaraB (1/28/2011 11:21 p.m.)
        
        And why isn't Mr.Knightley married yet?   Kathryn Ann (1/29/2011 6:19 p.m.)
        
        Why, vexed? nfm   Stephanie (1/31/2011 2:17 p.m.)
        
        Mr. K and Miss Taylor   Kirk (1/29/2011 11:08 p.m.)
        
        Now that you mention it ...   Sarah Yorkshire (1/30/2011 7:32 a.m.)
        
        Now that you mention it...   Kirk (2/3/2011 12:30 a.m.)
    - You are right about quiting Laurie J (1/27/2011 9:13 p.m.)
      - Encouragement to persevere with Emma and not give up!   jeffrey (1/28/2011 10:38 a.m.)
        
        This is not the first time I have read Emma but I always   AnnetteJ (1/28/2011 11:20 a.m.)
        
        Lol, be patient with Emma.   Patricia AA (1/28/2011 11:07 p.m.)
    - I have often wondered... Reeba (1/28/2011 5:36 a.m.)
    - Appreciating Emma Sarah Yorkshire (1/28/2011 6:54 a.m.)
      - Well, I guess that is one way of looking at her. I have   AnnetteJ (1/28/2011 8:29 a.m.)
        
        Want to add that I do not dislike the character but I   AnnetteJ (1/28/2011 9:15 a.m.)
        
        21st Century Emma   Sarah Yorkshire (1/28/2011 6:10 p.m.)
        
        The word snob didn't even exist then.   Reeba (1/28/2011 6:52 p.m.)
        
        Snob   Bridget D (1/29/2011 4:11 a.m.)
        
        Good point!   Sarah Yorkshire (1/29/2011 4:37 a.m.)
        
        Harriet and Emma   Bridget D (1/29/2011 7:39 a.m.)
        
        Mr Knightley also says Emma is bad for Harriet   kathleen (elder) (1/29/2011 7:47 a.m.)
        
        Harriet's station   Bridget D (1/29/2011 8:02 a.m.)
        
        The book is always available :-)   kathleen (elder) (1/29/2011 8:10 a.m.)
        
        Also linked below the header of this board (nfm)   Myretta (1/29/2011 8:18 a.m.)
        
        I see it differently   Ramya (1/29/2011 9:40 a.m.)
        
        My opinion of Mr Knightley's comment...   Reeba (1/29/2011 11:12 a.m.)
        
        rank and falling   Bridget D (1/29/2011 3:37 p.m.)
        
        Agree   BarbaraB (1/29/2011 7:12 p.m.)
        
        Harriet rising in the ranks   Bridget D (1/30/2011 2:17 a.m.)
        
        Haririet and Mrs Goddards   Bridget D (1/30/2011 4:58 a.m.)
        
        Emma, Class and Mr Knightley   BarbaraB (1/29/2011 11:28 a.m.)
        
        Yet Emma is a Snob by definition   Robbin (1/30/2011 9:57 p.m.)
        
        The concept...   Reeba (1/31/2011 11:00 a.m.)
        
        I cannot accept that   Ramya (1/31/2011 3:15 p.m.)
        
        Sure! :)   Reeba (1/31/2011 3:37 p.m.)
        
        Donwell Road   Robbin (2/1/2011 11:57 a.m.)
        
        Road vs assembly   Reeba (2/1/2011 12:33 p.m.)
        
        Emma and farmers   Bridget D (2/2/2011 7:11 a.m.)
        
        The Farmer and the Nobody   Robbin (2/3/2011 7:10 p.m.)
        
        Which makes [] good manners the more valuable   Stephanie (2/3/2011 3:01 p.m.)
        
        An Indifferent Acquaintance   Robbin (2/3/2011 10:00 p.m.)
        
        Gentled, indeed, I thank you nfm   Stephanie (2/11/2011 9:22 p.m.)
        
        Thanks, Robbin...   gianni (2/14/2011 10:48 p.m.)
        
        Thanks & glad to see you! (:D) nfm   Robbin (2/15/2011 9:51 a.m.)
        
        Miss Taylor is Too Indulgent   Jane Marie (2/15/2011 12:39 p.m.)
        
        Loved so ever indulgently   Miss Barbara (2/18/2011 3:26 p.m.)
        
        Well!...   gianni (2/18/2011 11:24 p.m.)
        
        gentry   Bridget D (2/1/2011 1:13 a.m.)
        
        ashamed of [Harriet] for seeming so pleased and so doubtful   Stephanie (2/1/2011 11:00 a.m.)
        
        Class and the Martins   Bridget D (2/1/2011 1:06 a.m.)
        
        Class & Regard   Robbin (2/1/2011 1:06 p.m.)
        
        Class differences   Ramya (1/28/2011 8:53 p.m.)
        
        For me, the class system of that time and place is   AnnetteJ (1/29/2011 9:40 a.m.)
        
        Rank   Bridget D (1/29/2011 3:27 p.m.)
        
        Emma wrongs the Martins   Robbin (1/28/2011 10:28 p.m.)
      - I like her too Nina RG (1/28/2011 8:36 a.m.)
      - Perhaps that's what... Reeba (1/28/2011 9:10 a.m.)
      - Emma's Behavior BarbaraB (1/28/2011 2:39 p.m.)
The Martins and Emma Bridget D (1/28/2011 7:07 a.m.)
- I agree Nina RG (1/28/2011 8:46 a.m.)
  - Clownish here means ... Reeba (1/28/2011 9:18 a.m.)
  - Harriett and the Martins Bridget D (1/29/2011 2:43 a.m.)
    - Worser and Worser BarbaraB (1/29/2011 10:38 a.m.)
      - Emma's treatment...   Reeba (1/29/2011 11:06 a.m.)
        
        I did not mean to imply necessarily physical interaction...   BarbaraB (1/29/2011 12:05 p.m.)
        
        Treatment   Reeba (1/29/2011 3:15 p.m.)
        
        You Have Peaked My Interest In Harriet   BarbaraB (1/29/2011 7:16 p.m.)
        
        Assertions Emma does not really believe?   Robbin (1/30/2011 3:26 p.m.)
        
        To me, they are out and out lies -- even when   AnnetteJ (1/30/2011 4:08 p.m.)
        
        Emma   Bridget D (1/31/2011 1:22 a.m.)
        
        Not sure I buy that -- what evidence do we have of a   AnnetteJ (1/31/2011 7:20 a.m.)
        
        Downplaying Emma's virtues?   Ramya (1/31/2011 9:03 a.m.)
        
        Anne is my favorite Austen heroine as well. Emma just   AnnetteJ (1/31/2011 11:18 a.m.)
        
        Evidence.   Reeba (1/31/2011 9:08 a.m.)
        
        It's the degree.   Reeba (1/30/2011 4:28 p.m.)
        
        Run the man down   Robbin (1/30/2011 11:03 p.m.)
        
        Not really :)   Reeba (1/31/2011 3:39 a.m.)
        
        very manipulative   Nikki N (1/31/2011 5:46 a.m.)
        
        Manipulation.   Reeba (1/31/2011 9:43 a.m.)
        
        The Unfortunate 'but...'   BarbaraB (1/31/2011 3:14 p.m.)
        
        Actually, I did write....   Reeba (1/31/2011 3:52 p.m.)
        
        Mr. Knightley, a sensible man   Stephanie (1/31/2011 9:07 p.m.)
        
        Man of Information   Robbin (2/3/2011 10:24 p.m.)
        
        Wrongheaded indeed.   Patricia AA (1/30/2011 5:19 p.m.)
        
        Emma   Bridget D (1/31/2011 1:20 a.m.)
        
        Emma and Robert   Bridget D (1/29/2011 3:32 p.m.)
        
        I'll Just Say This...   BarbaraB (1/29/2011 5:49 p.m.)
        
        Harriet and talk   Bridget D (1/30/2011 2:10 a.m.)
        
        A good one. :-D   Reeba (1/30/2011 8:41 a.m.)
        
        Emma's opinion of the Martins   Patricia AA (1/30/2011 9:17 a.m.)
        
        The Martins *were*...   Reeba (1/30/2011 3:24 p.m.)
      - I Agree Patricia AA (1/29/2011 11:58 a.m.)
      - I agree as well! (:D) nfm Robbin (1/30/2011 3:34 p.m.)

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