Is it necessarily about rank? Could it be about good-breeding?

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Is it necessarily about rank? Could it be about good-breeding? Written by Tom P2 (2/13/2011 4:32 a.m.) in consequence of the missive, Emma and Mrs/Miss Bates -- what a sad commentary on, penned by AnnetteJ

OK, that may sound like splitting hairs, but here's an example from S+S ch32 with two ladies of equal birth - Lady Middleton and Mrs Palmer - where the one with less polished manners oppresses the heroine and the one with more polished manners doesn't. The calm and polite unconcern of Lady Middleton on the occasion was an happy relief to Elinor's spirits, ... she was sometimes worried down by officious condolence to rate good-breeding as more indispensable to comfort than good-nature.

Good-breeding may tend to follow class lines, but I think it's not an absolute rule. For example, Mr Woodhouse sounds like he's had less vexation from James's daughter - the civil, pretty-spoken girl who always turns the lock of the door the right way and never bangs it (ch1) - than from Mr John Knightley. Perhaps Emma's inherited a bit of her father's sensitivity about manners?

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Emma and Mrs/Miss Bates -- what a sad commentary on AnnetteJ (2/11/2011 9:21 a.m.)

Understandable sentiments Lauren Ashley (2/11/2011 9:40 a.m.)
- Immaturity Jane Marie (2/11/2011 10:25 a.m.)
  - As Ms. Austen said... Natalie (2/12/2011 9:33 a.m.)
- No, alas, it was not. However, in some regards, Mr AnnetteJ (2/11/2011 10:49 a.m.)
  - The class... Reeba (2/11/2011 11:06 a.m.)
  - Emma Bridget D (2/11/2011 4:07 p.m.)
Not at all. I'm not... Reeba (2/11/2011 10:54 a.m.)
- Emma means to avoid the "second and third rate" AnnetteJ (2/11/2011 11:04 a.m.)
  - Where did Emma's Class Sense From? Jane Marie (2/11/2011 12:55 p.m.)
    - I wonder this too. Ra (2/11/2011 2:54 p.m.)
      - Visiting the parish poor was a duty as the ranking female   AnnetteJ (2/11/2011 3:54 p.m.)
        
        Mr K and Emma   Bridget D (2/11/2011 4:03 p.m.)
        
        The big difference is that Mr Knightley recognizes   AnnetteJ (2/11/2011 4:37 p.m.)
        
        FYI: according to an on-line article in the Guardian UK   AnnetteJ (2/11/2011 4:54 p.m.)
        
        Harriet   Bridget D (2/11/2011 5:02 p.m.)
        
        Because if she had been, then it would have been easy   AnnetteJ (2/12/2011 8:09 a.m.)
        
        harriet's father   Bridget D (2/12/2011 9:14 a.m.)
        
        he doesn't want to come forward then?   Ra (2/11/2011 6:16 p.m.)
        
        Harriets mohter   Bridget D (2/12/2011 9:47 a.m.)
        
        Harriet's mother   Nikki N (2/13/2011 3:00 a.m.)
        
        Harriet's mother   Bridget D (2/13/2011 8:30 a.m.)
        
        Should he have to come forward if Harriet marry?   Graciela (2/13/2011 8:49 p.m.)
        
        Mr K and society   Bridget D (2/12/2011 9:35 a.m.)
        
        Emma's visits were not out of duty....   Reeba (2/11/2011 6:48 p.m.)
        
        Emma nad Miss Bates   Bridget D (2/12/2011 3:41 a.m.)
    - Emma very prejudicial, unless it pertains to Harriet! (NFM) jeffrey (2/11/2011 3:12 p.m.)
    - Class Bridget D (2/11/2011 3:59 p.m.)
    - I'm curious too. A younger Mr. Woodhouse perhaps? Elizabeth Anne II (2/11/2011 5:40 p.m.)
      - Emma and Class   Bridget D (2/12/2011 9:12 a.m.)
        
        Well, he is not demented, but he is not as sharp as   AnnetteJ (2/12/2011 10:12 a.m.)
        
        I have to agree with much of what you have said.   Patricia AA (2/12/2011 2:01 p.m.)
        
        Different use of the word "demented"   Elizabeth Anne II (2/12/2011 4:42 p.m.)
        
        Mr Woodhouse   Bridget D (2/12/2011 5:09 p.m.)
        
        agree to disagree.   Elizabeth Anne II (2/12/2011 5:22 p.m.)
        
        Emma   Bridget D (2/12/2011 4:14 p.m.)
    - Jumping in on this question Sarah Hannah (2/13/2011 1:49 a.m.)
      - Emma Bridget D (2/13/2011 2:49 a.m.)
      - Good explanation. Elizabeth Anne II (2/13/2011 8:47 a.m.)
  - But she visited poor people in their cottages, Graciela (2/11/2011 2:05 p.m.)
    - classes and visits Nikki N (2/12/2011 6:18 a.m.)
      - Well Said nfm BarbaraB (2/13/2011 11:54 a.m.)
  - Miss Bates and Emma Bridget D (2/11/2011 3:58 p.m.)
Is it necessarily about rank? Could it be about good-breeding? Tom P2 (2/13/2011 4:32 a.m.)

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