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Naming possibilities…   Written by Robbin (4/1/2008 11:55 a.m.)
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"Not I, indeed. I only name possibilities. I do not pretend to Emma's genius for foretelling and guessing. I hope, with all my heart, the young man may be a Weston in merit, and a Churchill in fortune. But Harriet Smith -- I have not half done about Harriet Smith. I think her the very worst sort of companion that Emma could possibly have. She knows nothing herself, and looks upon Emma as knowing every thing. She is a flatterer in all her ways; and so much the worse, because undersigned. Her ignorance is hourly flattery. How can Emma imagine she has any thing to learn herself, while Harriet is presenting such a delightful inferiority? And as for Harriet, I will venture to say that she cannot gain by the acquaintance. Hartfield will only put her out of conceit with all the other places she belongs to. She will grow just refined enough to be uncomfortable with those among whom birth and circumstances have placed her home. I am much mistaken if Emma's doctrines give any strength of mind, or tend at all to make a girl adapt herself rationally to the varieties of her situation in life. They only give a little polish." (Chapter 5)

Mr. Knightley fears no good will come of Emma’s friendship with Harriet. Have any of his predictions come to pass? I don’t know if Harriet is out of conceit with all the places she belongs to but she does refuse Robert Martin after Emma’s not so subtle hints about Mr. Elton in Chapter 7. I also think he is right about Harriet being an undesigned flatterer. In Chapter 7 Harriet tells Emma: “Dear Miss Woodhouse, I would not give up the pleasure and honour of being intimate with you for any thing in the world.” (;D)



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