marrying outside the sphere

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marrying outside the sphere Written by Nikki N (3/13/2011 1:00 a.m.) in consequence of the missive, Pride & Prejudice, ch. 42:, penned by gianni

yes, Mr Bennet had married "a woman of weak understanding and illiberal mind", and she was also of inferior social class -- he was a gentleman, while she was from a tradesman's family -- although there was no question about her legitimacy.

Mr Knightley was being realistic about Harriet, concerned that Emma was giivng unrealistic expectations that would cause unhappiness to Harriet --
"She was as happy as possible with the Martins in the summer. She had no sense of superiority then. If she has it now, you have given it. You have been no friend to Harriet Smith, Emma. Robert Martin would never have proceeded so far, if he had not felt persuaded of her not being disinclined to him. I know him well. He has too much real feeling to address any woman on the hap-hazard of selfish passion. And as to conceit, he is the farthest from it of any man I know. Depend upon it he had encouragement."

Emma was not encouraging Harriet to try to rise above her birth because she felt that Harriet should be given that opportunity, Emma's fantasy was that Harriet was a gentleman's daughter by birth. Emma did not believe in equality or that people should be encouraged to rise above the class they were born in -- she was so fixed in her fantasy that she believed that the Martins were being ambitious and conceited in wanting Robert to marry Harriet, she thought that the Martins wanted to rise themselves through Harriet's unknown connections! Miss Martin had the same education as Harriet -- she might even be cleverer and had learned more -- but Emma did not want to give her an opportunity to rise above her class.

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My favorite part of the novel Glenn (3/6/2011 1:54 p.m.)

Emma's Control and Charity to a Rival Jane Marie (3/8/2011 12:43 p.m.)
This is a good point. Lynn (3/7/2011 4:49 p.m.)
Alas, Emma found she had created a monster Robbin (3/6/2011 10:28 p.m.)
- Et tu, Knightley? Reeba (3/7/2011 8:41 a.m.)
  - I never meant.. Reeba (3/9/2011 10:21 a.m.)
    - I agree Ramya (3/9/2011 11:35 a.m.)
      - Jane's apples   Bridget D (3/13/2011 9:07 a.m.)
        
        The end of Chapter 27   andrea gayle (3/13/2011 12:20 p.m.)
        
        Janes apples   Bridget D (3/14/2011 12:46 p.m.)
  - Unguarded Robbin (3/8/2011 11:49 a.m.)
    - possible eligibility in matches Nikki N (3/9/2011 1:40 a.m.)
    - Harriet & Robert Martin Frances G (3/8/2011 11:52 p.m.)
      - A very warm friend to Mr. Martin Robbin (3/10/2011 1:07 p.m.)
      - lol! Ra (3/10/2011 11:00 a.m.)
    - Completely Agree BarbaraB (3/8/2011 11:36 p.m.)
    - Excellent points. Is it possible Kathleen Glancy (3/8/2011 5:18 p.m.)
      - Knightly Mr. Knightley Robbin (3/9/2011 5:16 p.m.)
      - Augusta Elton BarbaraB (3/8/2011 11:21 p.m.)
  - Maybe a case of Incongruency with Mr. Knightley? jeffrey (3/7/2011 10:38 a.m.)
- True enough, but . . . Mary Anne (3/7/2011 8:15 a.m.)
  - No Robbin (3/7/2011 9:40 a.m.)
    - No, I agree with you Ra (3/7/2011 4:39 p.m.)
      - Your Censure may be Praise   Robbin (3/8/2011 5:57 p.m.)
        
        Mr Knightlye's words   Nikki N (3/10/2011 10:43 p.m.)
        
        Speaking in Anger   Robbin (3/13/2011 4:05 p.m.)
        
        without solicitation, or plea, or privilege   Stephanie (3/9/2011 2:57 p.m.)
        
        The Truth Hurts   Robbin (3/10/2011 11:55 a.m.)
        
        to be sure it did not do [them] justice   Stephanie (3/10/2011 4:20 p.m.)
        
        Rendering Justice   Robbin (3/13/2011 3:54 p.m.)
        
        When had his influence, such influence begun?   Stephanie (3/15/2011 3:31 p.m.)
        
        Similar Attitudes   Robbin (3/20/2011 3:31 a.m.)
        
        Knightley's Anger & Contempt   Robbin (3/17/2011 11:34 p.m.)
        
        Mr. Knightley, I shall not allow you to be a fair judge   Stephanie (3/19/2011 6:38 p.m.)
        
        Is there another Harriet besides Miss Smith?   Robbin (3/20/2011 2:17 a.m.)
        
        I agree nfm   BarbaraB (3/18/2011 3:58 p.m.)
        
        Harriet and Mr K   Bridget D (3/16/2011 8:20 a.m.)
        
        your view of Mr. [Knightley] in his other dealings? Sorry! nfm   Stephanie (3/15/2011 6:09 p.m.)
        
        Snobbery, Mr. K, Emma, and Harriet   BarbaraB (3/13/2011 10:42 p.m.)
        
        Heeding Advice   Robbin (3/17/2011 11:18 p.m.)
        
        Rising in the world   Bridget D (3/14/2011 1:04 p.m.)
        
        Emma says that before the Ball   Ramya (3/10/2011 4:33 p.m.)
        
        Woman Scorned   Robbin (3/13/2011 4:01 p.m.)
        
        Mr. Knightley the snob?   Frances G (3/10/2011 10:18 p.m.)
        
        Knightley plus Snob does not Compute   Robbin (3/14/2011 2:32 a.m.)
        
        Also, this is only Emma's thought   Christopher (3/14/2011 12:45 p.m.)
        
        Good Point nfm   BarbaraB (3/14/2011 2:01 p.m.)
        
        Snobs   Bridget D (3/13/2011 8:18 a.m.)
        
        Bates & Knightley   Robbin (3/14/2011 12:58 p.m.)
        
        Friends   Bridget D (3/14/2011 2:05 p.m.)
        
        exactly   Ra (3/9/2011 4:43 p.m.)
        
        High & Mighty Attitude   Robbin (3/10/2011 12:26 p.m.)
        
        Harriet   Bridget D (3/10/2011 2:33 p.m.)
        
        Reality Check   Robbin (3/11/2011 1:45 p.m.)
        
        Harriet   Bridget D (3/12/2011 3:29 a.m.)
        
        Mr. Knightley is not so disingenuous   Robbin (3/14/2011 2:15 a.m.)
        
        As did Mr. Bennet ...   gianni (3/12/2011 11:43 a.m.)
        
        Bennet?   Bridget D (3/12/2011 4:41 p.m.)
        
        Pride & Prejudice, ch. 42:   gianni (3/12/2011 6:18 p.m.)
        
        Harriet and Mr K   Bridget D (3/13/2011 5:09 a.m.)
        
        Apparently I misundertood ...   gianni (3/13/2011 10:05 p.m.)
        
        marrying outside the sphere   Nikki N (3/13/2011 1:00 a.m.)
        
        acquaintance with the Martins of Abbey-Mill-Farm   Stephanie (3/15/2011 2:47 p.m.)
        
        the Coxes also a lawyer's family   Nikki N (3/16/2011 12:54 a.m.)
        
        When Emma reads Mr. Martin's letter   Graciela (3/15/2011 5:10 p.m.)
        
        believed [they were] very clever, and understood every thing   Stephanie (3/15/2011 6:20 p.m.)
        
        educated Martins   Nikki N (3/15/2011 10:39 p.m.)
        
        Martins   Bridget D (3/15/2011 3:22 p.m.)
        
        I shall always have a great regard for the Miss Martins   Stephanie (3/15/2011 6:07 p.m.)
        
        Miss martins   Bridget D (3/16/2011 8:14 a.m.)
        
        Rising above her class   Robbin (3/14/2011 2:27 a.m.)
        
        Mr Knightley   Bridget D (3/13/2011 4:58 a.m.)
        
        Same Page   BarbaraB (3/9/2011 12:38 a.m.)
        
        I agree   Robbin (3/14/2011 2:42 a.m.)
  - And learn some lessons too, with longer suffering ;-) nfm Reeba (3/7/2011 8:44 a.m.)
Over the hump; chickens come home to roost, but not for too long Tom P2 (3/6/2011 8:49 p.m.)
- Rambling thoughts on the "best of the best" (Longish) jeffrey (3/7/2011 10:14 a.m.)
  - My favourite part as well Nina RG (3/8/2011 9:53 a.m.)
    - Yes, you've uncovered one of the reasons it's my favorite... jeffrey (3/8/2011 10:44 a.m.)
  - Faultless inspite of all her faults. Reeba (3/8/2011 4:02 a.m.)
    - *sighs* Not for me! nfm Stephanie (3/9/2011 1:38 p.m.)
  - The unkissed hand Tom P2 (3/8/2011 3:51 a.m.)
    - Yes, that certainly makes perfect sense... jeffrey (3/8/2011 9:02 a.m.)
      - And he rode home through the rain! *sigh* nfm Ramya (3/8/2011 11:17 a.m.)
        
        Yes, that is a wonderful touch isn't it? :) nfm BarbaraB (3/8/2011 10:58 p.m.)

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