does Emma lead a completely idle life?

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does Emma lead a completely idle life? Written by Ra (2/11/2011 6:16 a.m.) in consequence of the missive, Jane Fairfax is a dull, boring..., penned by Reeba

She does have to run the house in her mother's (and father's!) absence. To our 21st century minds that's not a lot, and she does have a lot of servants, but still, she does employ them and she is quite young to be doing that, imo. If anything, they have both had a bit of grit to make the pearl - Emma's situation is really confined, while Jane has always had to excel and be aware she will have to live off her talents and wits.

And yes, I do think Jane is more of the trad heroine of this period, silent, resigned, tragic whereas Emma is perhaps of a slightly earlier tradition, like the Vicar of Wakefield etc, where women aren't always much better than they 'ought' to be - which I certainly prefer!

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The reserved Jane Fairfax (Chapter 20) -- long Anne-Marie (2/9/2011 7:08 p.m.)

Good discussion comparing and contrasting these two... jeffrey (2/11/2011 12:28 p.m.)
- Another contrast is in Emma's favour: health. nfm Tom P2 (2/13/2011 3:58 a.m.)
Jane Fairfax is a dull, boring... Reeba (2/11/2011 5:58 a.m.)
- PS: Her lacklustre response.... Reeba (2/11/2011 6:15 a.m.)
  - Maybe she realizes Emma is on a fishing expedition to AnnetteJ (2/11/2011 8:55 a.m.)
    - Of course she does. Emma is hardly subtle about it Kathleen Glancy (2/11/2011 12:38 p.m.)
      - And this is where I get annoyed with Emma again! Erica M. (2/12/2011 9:06 a.m.)
        
        I agree -- not the center of attention with the less showy AnnetteJ (2/12/2011 9:17 a.m.)
      - To be fair to Emma, she accepts...   Reeba (2/11/2011 6:43 p.m.)
        
        We don't actually know if Jane's praise was effusive   Kathleen Glancy (2/14/2011 11:51 a.m.)
        
        Which would mean one can...   Reeba (2/14/2011 2:06 p.m.)
        
        Do you mean to say   Kathleen Glancy (2/14/2011 3:38 p.m.)
        
        not rude, too polite   Nikki N (2/15/2011 5:27 a.m.)
        
        So much dignified impertinence   Tom P2 (2/14/2011 6:40 p.m.)
        
        Since we are not really told what questions...   Reeba (2/14/2011 5:22 p.m.)
        
        Mystery of the Questions   Robbin (2/16/2011 12:39 p.m.)
        
        I don't normally take Mr Knightley's word as 'must be'.   Reeba (2/17/2011 10:20 a.m.)
        
        I see it more as indifference   Ramya (2/17/2011 10:45 a.m.)
        
        I don't see the question...   Reeba (2/17/2011 11:00 a.m.)
        
        the [dis]agreeableness of yesterday's engagement   Stephanie (2/16/2011 9:55 p.m.)
        
        Perseverance & Diffidence   Robbin (2/18/2011 12:50 p.m.)
        
        There is my [view] I thought it would interest you   Stephanie (2/18/2011 11:39 p.m.)
        
        Diffidence & Friendship   Robbin (2/21/2011 12:56 p.m.)
        
        Distrust makes more sense   Frances G (2/18/2011 10:25 p.m.)
        
        Before Jane was 9.   Reeba (2/19/2011 3:26 a.m.)
        
        Unfair & Out of the Way   Robbin (2/21/2011 1:24 p.m.)
        
        But she gets stonewalled when she does ;-)   Reeba (2/21/2011 5:31 p.m.)
        
        Furthering their Acquaintance   Robbin (2/22/2011 1:43 p.m.)
        
        The portion you have bolded   Ramya (2/22/2011 2:26 p.m.)
        
        Overcoming Jane’s Reserve   Robbin (2/23/2011 9:23 a.m.)
        
        So, I look up every early reference I can find to Jane, ...   gianni (2/21/2011 11:41 p.m.)
        
        Distrust again   Frances G (2/23/2011 11:50 p.m.)
        
        Impertinent, even aggressive questions   Robbin (2/23/2011 11:02 a.m.)
        
        I agree. Jane is quite...   Reeba (2/23/2011 11:48 a.m.)
        
        will do each other any good   Stephanie (2/27/2011 2:58 p.m.)
        
        Jane's Dislike & Suspicions   Robbin (2/23/2011 12:38 p.m.)
        
        But you both ...   gianni (2/22/2011 11:32 p.m.)
        
        Miss Bates' letters to Jane....   Reeba (2/22/2011 7:46 a.m.)
        
        PS:   Reeba (2/22/2011 9:40 a.m.)
        
        Inside the Brain of Jane   Robbin (2/23/2011 11:44 a.m.)
        
        I Beg to Disagree about Emma's Questions   Jane Marie (2/22/2011 5:52 a.m.)
        
        Personal versus Business Questions   Robbin (2/23/2011 10:33 a.m.)
        
        Jane Only Owes a Civil Answer   Jane Marie (2/22/2011 6:20 a.m.)
        
        Mr. Knightly Assumes   Jane Marie (2/17/2011 6:23 p.m.)
        
        pray do not make any more matches   Stephanie (2/18/2011 12:10 p.m.)
        
        I thought "diffidence" meant shy here? NFM   Jane Marie (2/17/2011 9:58 a.m.)
        
        So did I!   Stephanie (2/17/2011 1:34 p.m.)
        
        We aren't indeed   Kathleen Glancy (2/14/2011 6:48 p.m.)
        
        My conclusion.   Reeba (2/15/2011 9:29 a.m.)
        
        Thank you for explaining   Kathleen Glancy (2/15/2011 7:34 p.m.)
        
        Ah, but that's why I find Emma so amusing. :) nfm   Reeba (2/16/2011 3:19 a.m.)
        
        Good Point nfm   BarbaraB (2/14/2011 1:09 p.m.)
    - I don't think its... Reeba (2/11/2011 10:40 a.m.)
      - It cannot be envy of Emma ...   Rabab (2/13/2011 6:02 a.m.)
        
        Duty versus sincerity?   Patricia AA (2/13/2011 10:39 a.m.)
        
        neither provocation nor resentment were discerned   Stephanie (2/14/2011 3:18 p.m.)
        
        Emma's contrast to Miss Campbell   Nikki N (2/13/2011 7:29 a.m.)
      - Emm and Jane   Bridget D (2/11/2011 6:00 p.m.)
        
        At liberty to be cool, but not at Emma's place IMO....   Reeba (2/11/2011 7:40 p.m.)
        
        Jane   Bridget D (2/12/2011 3:44 a.m.)
        
        having paid the smallest attention to any one   Stephanie (2/12/2011 7:04 p.m.)
        
        Jane   Bridget D (2/13/2011 2:52 a.m.)
        
        yes, exactly   Nikki N (2/13/2011 3:08 a.m.)
      - Disagree that she is envious of Emma. Both are AnnetteJ (2/11/2011 10:58 a.m.)
    - I agree. Patricia AA (2/11/2011 9:34 a.m.)
      - I like it that Jane stonewalled Emma -- it gives Jane   AnnetteJ (2/11/2011 9:42 a.m.)
        
        You may throw as many bricks as you like, but...   Felicity (2/13/2011 8:50 a.m.)
        
        Emma was not impertinent   Patricia AA (2/13/2011 10:55 a.m.)
        
        Abominable Pride   Tarn (2/13/2011 1:21 p.m.)
        
        Was it really that inappropriate to ask?   Patricia AA (2/13/2011 1:48 p.m.)
        
        Snooping versus Complimenting   Robbin (2/13/2011 12:18 p.m.)
        
        "I am disappointed," was his only answer.   Stephanie (2/14/2011 4:44 p.m.)
        
        Unreasonable Expectations   Robbin (2/15/2011 9:01 p.m.)
        
        The other circumstance of regret   Stephanie (2/16/2011 10:06 p.m.)
        
        Yes, it does seem like...   Rabab (2/14/2011 12:04 a.m.)
        
        I agree. Emma is as subtle as a woodpecker. Why   AnnetteJ (2/13/2011 12:51 p.m.)
        
        Jane’s Health   Robbin (2/13/2011 6:05 p.m.)
        
        That's very normal with...   Reeba (2/13/2011 3:57 p.m.)
        
        There is a difference between having an open temper and   Kathleen Glancy (2/14/2011 12:21 p.m.)
        
        I think Emma would....   Reeba (2/14/2011 2:14 p.m.)
        
        Well, I think we must agree to disagree   Kathleen Glancy (2/14/2011 3:05 p.m.)
        
        I agree with your observations on Jane Fairfax's   Patricia AA (2/11/2011 5:47 p.m.)
- does Emma lead a completely idle life? Ra (2/11/2011 6:16 a.m.)
  - Of course not. Reeba (2/11/2011 6:21 a.m.)
    - lol! we take ourselves too seriously here nfm Ra (2/11/2011 6:53 a.m.)
What's the hurry about governessing? Louise H (2/10/2011 11:55 a.m.)
- Governessing Bridget D (2/10/2011 2:51 p.m.)
- Being a burden? Lynn (2/10/2011 12:58 p.m.)
  - She's not a burden to her family. Graciela (2/10/2011 1:55 p.m.)
    - What I meant was... Lynn (2/11/2011 12:47 p.m.)
      - Jane Fairfax's sense of duty TimLee (2/11/2011 1:07 p.m.)
    - "What must be at last, had better be soon." Louise H (2/10/2011 2:07 p.m.)
      - Jane as governess Bridget D (2/10/2011 3:28 p.m.)
      - Fresh off her education   Ramya (2/10/2011 2:26 p.m.)
        
        governesses   Nikki N (2/11/2011 1:45 a.m.)
        
        Interesting. Thanks, all. (nfm)   Louise H (2/11/2011 10:07 a.m.)
        
        Teach at a school? JA's other Emma could think of nothing worse.   Tom P2 (2/10/2011 6:25 p.m.)
Good analysis of Jane Fairfax's circumstances. The AnnetteJ (2/10/2011 8:45 a.m.)
- I've always felt that the resentment rather cut both ways. Patricia AA (2/10/2011 5:12 p.m.)
- This seems a bit harsh to me Laraine (2/10/2011 2:17 p.m.)
  - It appears Ramya (2/10/2011 2:32 p.m.)
    - discreet and reserved Nikki N (2/11/2011 1:25 a.m.)
    - Perhaps Jane Fairfax senses a lack of sincerity in AnnetteJ (2/10/2011 3:07 p.m.)
      - I don't want to start a shy/reserved Ramya (2/10/2011 3:54 p.m.)
        
        Emma and Jane Bridget D (2/11/2011 1:23 a.m.)
    - Emma Jane Bridget D (2/10/2011 3:01 p.m.)
      - I don't see Jane Ramya (2/10/2011 3:58 p.m.)
        
        Emma as Patroness Bridget D (2/11/2011 1:26 a.m.)
- An interesting point Nancy Ann (2/10/2011 9:15 a.m.)
  - Yes, it's a wonder she's not worse at this point! (NFM) jeffrey (2/10/2011 10:30 a.m.)
  - I agree! It is sometimes hard to argue with Jane Austen's AnnetteJ (2/10/2011 10:05 a.m.)
    - Mr. Elton and Jane Fairfax Jane Marie (2/10/2011 12:41 p.m.)
Jane Fairfax and Fanny Price Nikki N (2/10/2011 5:31 a.m.)
- Col Campbell Bridget D (2/10/2011 7:21 a.m.)

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