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Chapt. 33: the BAROUCHE-LANDAU is back!   Written by Delories (2/23/2011 6:54 a.m.)
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Along with its inevitable corollary, "My brother, Mr. Suckling!" Although not as much fun as Miss Bates's soliloquies, Mrs. Elton's have the advantage of Emma doing a slow burn as she listens, and then giving us her opinion. Here in Chapt. 33, Mrs E. discusses her plans for Jane Fairfax:

"My dear Miss Woodhouse, a vast deal may be done by those who dare to act... [blah blah] We [note how she puts herself on the same level as Emma] have carriages to fetch and convey her home, and we live in a style which could not make the addition of Jane Fairfax, at any time, the least inconvenient... [blah blah] ...Jane Fairfax ...[blah blah] ...Maple Grove... [blah blah]... my brother, Mr. Suckling... Jane Fairfax [blah blah] ...I shall introduce her wherever I can... and shall be constantly on the watch for an eligible situation... [blah blah]...I dare say we shall sometimes find a seat for her in the BAROUCHE-LANDAU in some of our exploring parties."

It seems to me that the above abbreviation is a fairly accurate representation of what Emma actually heard, as shown by her inner commentary afterwards: "'Jane Fairfax and Jane Fairfax.' Heavens! Let me not suppose that she dares go about, Emma Woodhouse-ing me! But upon my honour, there seem no limits to the licentiousness of that woman's tongue!"

But now Emma is off the hook: "Emma had not to listen to such paradings again -- to any so exclusively addressed to herself -- so disgustingly decorated with a 'dear Miss Woodhouse'." Mrs. Elton simultaneously takes herself out of Emma's everyday sphere, and takes any obligation to be sociable to Jane Fairfax off her hands, by monopolizing Jane's society.

Typically, Emma seems both relieved and a bit miffed by this (see the exchange with Mrs. Weston and Mr. Knightley at the end of chapt. 33). As with the party at the Coles, she likes to have her little opportunities to snub people, and if they just stay out of the way (or don't invite her), she can't do that.


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