Of course she does. Emma is hardly subtle about it

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Of course she does. Emma is hardly subtle about it Written by Kathleen Glancy (2/11/2011 12:38 p.m.) in consequence of the missive, Maybe she realizes Emma is on a fishing expedition to, penned by AnnetteJ

and it's not just about Frank Churchill either. Emma could be excused for asking about him, since he is now the stepson of her closest friend. But in Chapter 20 Emma also probes about the Dixons, possibly hoping for information to feed the unpleasant fantasy she has contocted about Jane and Mr Dixon, on the thinnest of evidence. We find that Jane "was more reserved on the subject of Weymouth and the Dixons than any thing. She seemed bent on giving no real insight into Mr. Dixon's character, or her own value for his company, or opinion of the suitableness of the match". If Emma has ever met the former Miss Campbell at all, it cannot have been for long enough to form any real relationship - so Emma has no legitimate interest here. How many of us would be prepared to discuss our closest friend's prospects of happiness in her recent marriage with someone who (so far as Jane knows) can have no reason other than vulgar curiosity for asking about it? It would of course only be polite to mention it, but to ask whether Jane thought the match suitable, however the question was couched, is not polite at all. I do not blame Jane for stonewalling. Of course this only convinces Emma that her unpleasant fantasy must be true. You would think she might have learned something from the Elton/Harriet fiasco, but apparently not. The more charitable feeling she had towards Jane after visiting her at the Bates' home has not outlasted Jane's return visit to Hartfield.

Emma appears to me to be so prejudiced against Jane that Jane can do nothing right. For example "They had music; Emma was obliged to play; and the thanks and praise which necessarily followed appeared to her an affectation of candour, an air of greatness, meaning only to shew off in higher style [Jane's] own very superior performance". It would be incredibly rude to do anything but praise and thank your hostess' playing. I wonder if Emma would have liked it any better if Jane had not praised her performance as common courtesy required but instead given her a detailed appraisal of the deficiencies in her technique? I suspect not.

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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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