Heeding Advice

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Heeding Advice Written by Robbin (3/17/2011 11:18 p.m.) in consequence of the missive, Snobbery, Mr. K, Emma, and Harriet, penned by BarbaraB

Thanks Barbara and I agree with you. (:D) I also agree Emma and Mr. Knightley accept the class system of their society as Bridget D has said but it seems to me sometimes Emma follows it in pride and conceit ignoring personal merit and contemporary advice. Mr. Knightley’s attitude towards the Martins and the Coles is in league with such advice while Emma’s behavior is specifically warned against:

Precepts of William Lord Burghley to his Son, 1770 pages 128-130.

Towards thy Superiors be humble, yet generous; with thine equals familiar, yet respective; Towards thy inferiors shew much humanity and some familiarity as to bow the body, stretch forth the Hand and to uncover the Head, with such like popular Compliments.

The first prepares thy Way to Adavancement, the second makes thee known for a Man well bred the third gains a good report which once got is easily kept for right Humanity takes such deep Root in the minds of the Mulititude as they are more easily gained by unprofitable Coutesies than by churlish Benefits"

Affable Behaviour makes them love you,but insolent and haughty Carriage they deride, they would even despise you for it, and your own behaviour would set you below them.

(I obtained this information from L&T post “This chapter shows Emma at her most” written by JulieW August 19, 2007 at http://www.pemberley.com/bin/archives/regarc.pl?read=47991)

Emma was insolent and haughty particularly to Mr. Martin on Donwell Road (4) but also to the female Martins at Abbey-Mill Farm (23) by cutting Harriet’s visit to them so short it is barely proper and glowed with the appearance of a great deal of ingratitude. As far as I know Mr. Knightley never adopted an insolent and haughty carriage towards Harriet or anyone else.

Emma’s reaction to the Cole’s invitation in Ch. 25 is quite different from Mr. Knightley’s. Emma’s initial response is to teach the Coles it is a presumption “to arrange the terms on which the superior families would visit them” (25) by refusing the invitation. It appears that the little hope Emma had of Mr. Knightley teaching the Coles their place was quickly squashed by his acceptance.

I think you make a good point that Mr. Knightley does not oppose people earning their way into the “good” society. It does seem Emma took exception to it unless it was her idea, as it was with Harriet or it was convenient for her, as was accepting the Coles invitation because she could not bear all her favorites partying while she stayed home in “solitary grandeur” (25). (:D)

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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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