not rude, too polite

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not rude, too polite Written by Nikki N (2/15/2011 5:27 a.m.) in consequence of the missive, Do you mean to say, penned by Kathleen Glancy

For all her dislike of Jane, Emma herself never accused Jane of rudeness, but of being too polite -- "wrapt up in a cloak of politeness" -- in not venturing to give her personal opinions.

I think it's perfectly natural for Jane not to give more than general views about the Dixons' marriage -- after all, they were people not personally known to Emma -- or if Emma had previously met the former Miss Campbell, it waa only as a very slight acquaintance. It would have been polite for Emma to make general inquiries as common courtesy, and polite and natural for Jane to give general civil responses.

However, Jane could have said more about Frank Churchill, who was the new stepson of Emma's dear friend, who had been waiting to meet him, and quite natural for Emma to have been rather annoyed with Jane for not being more forthcoming about him.

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The reserved Jane Fairfax (Chapter 20) -- long Anne-Marie (2/9/2011 7:08 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.)
Good analysis of Jane Fairfax's circumstances. The AnnetteJ (2/10/2011 8:45 a.m.)
- An interesting point Nancy Ann (2/10/2011 9:15 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.)
  - Yes, it's a wonder she's not worse at this point! (NFM) jeffrey (2/10/2011 10:30 a.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.)
    - 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.)
    - 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.)
    - discreet and reserved Nikki N (2/11/2011 1:25 a.m.)
- I've always felt that the resentment rather cut both ways. Patricia AA (2/10/2011 5:12 p.m.)
What's the hurry about governessing? Louise H (2/10/2011 11:55 a.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 must be at last, had better be soon." Louise H (2/10/2011 2:07 p.m.)
      - Fresh off her education   Ramya (2/10/2011 2:26 p.m.)
        
        Teach at a school? JA's other Emma could think of nothing worse.   Tom P2 (2/10/2011 6:25 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.)
      - Jane as governess Bridget D (2/10/2011 3:28 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.)
- Governessing Bridget D (2/10/2011 2:51 p.m.)
Jane Fairfax is a dull, boring... Reeba (2/11/2011 5:58 a.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.)
- 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.)
    - 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.)
        
        I agree with your observations on Jane Fairfax's   Patricia AA (2/11/2011 5:47 p.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.)
        
        Snooping versus Complimenting   Robbin (2/13/2011 12:18 p.m.)
        
        I agree. Emma is as subtle as a woodpecker. Why   AnnetteJ (2/13/2011 12:51 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.)
        
        Jane’s Health   Robbin (2/13/2011 6:05 p.m.)
        
        Yes, it does seem like...   Rabab (2/14/2011 12:04 a.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.)
        
        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.)
    - I don't think its... Reeba (2/11/2011 10:40 a.m.)
      - Disagree that she is envious of Emma. Both are AnnetteJ (2/11/2011 10:58 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.)
      - It cannot be envy of Emma ...   Rabab (2/13/2011 6:02 a.m.)
        
        Emma's contrast to Miss Campbell   Nikki N (2/13/2011 7:29 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.)
    - Of course she does. Emma is hardly subtle about it Kathleen Glancy (2/11/2011 12:38 p.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.)
        
        Good Point nfm   BarbaraB (2/14/2011 1:09 p.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.)
        
        Since we are not really told what questions...   Reeba (2/14/2011 5:22 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.)
        
        Mystery of the Questions   Robbin (2/16/2011 12:39 p.m.)
        
        the [dis]agreeableness of yesterday's engagement   Stephanie (2/16/2011 9:55 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.)
        
        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.)
        
        Perseverance & Diffidence   Robbin (2/18/2011 12:50 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.)
        
        So, I look up every early reference I can find to Jane, ...   gianni (2/21/2011 11:41 p.m.)
        
        I Beg to Disagree about Emma's Questions   Jane Marie (2/22/2011 5:52 a.m.)
        
        Jane Only Owes a Civil Answer   Jane Marie (2/22/2011 6:20 a.m.)
        
        Personal versus Business Questions   Robbin (2/23/2011 10:33 a.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.)
        
        But you both ...   gianni (2/22/2011 11:32 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.)
        
        Jane's Dislike & Suspicions   Robbin (2/23/2011 12:38 p.m.)
        
        will do each other any good   Stephanie (2/27/2011 2:58 p.m.)
        
        Distrust again   Frances G (2/23/2011 11:50 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.)
        
        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.)
        
        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.)
        
        So much dignified impertinence   Tom P2 (2/14/2011 6:40 p.m.)
        
        not rude, too polite   Nikki N (2/15/2011 5:27 a.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.)
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.)

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