Emma was lying about her intentions, not her actions

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Emma was lying about her intentions, not her actions Written by Tracy W (4/6/2008 6:27 a.m.) in consequence of the missive, She recalls her good intentions, not her actions. nfm, penned by Mary-L

Emma was talking about her intentions, not her actions, when she lied to Mr Knightley. She said:

"If I had set my heart on Mr. Elton's marrying Harriet, it would have been very kind to open my eyes; but at present I only want to keep Harriet to myself. I have done with match-making indeed. (chpt 8)

This is all about intentions, Emma makes no reference to any actions of hers in there. Nor do I see any reason to believe that Emma suddenly suffered a spontaneous memory loss that momentarily wiped all her knowledge of all her schemes and plans for Harriet and Mr Elton and then magically restored it by the time Harriet arrives. There's no moment where Emma suddenly recalls "Oh yes, that's right, I was trying to get Harriet and Mr Elton together, how could I have been so stupid as to forget it?"

I agree that Emma genuinely believed her intentions for Harriet were good. That does not change that she lied about them.

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Is Emma a liar too? Lila (4/4/2008 9:45 p.m.)

I have a theory... Elbè (4/10/2008 2:05 p.m.)
- Good will? Mia I. (4/10/2008 6:32 p.m.)
  - So interesting... Moni (4/20/2008 7:27 a.m.)
"That is the case with us all, papa." Tarn (4/7/2008 1:16 a.m.)
Interesting thread; brings up issue of Emma's reliability... Delories (4/6/2008 2:37 p.m.)
Emma loves her abilities… Robbin (4/6/2008 12:36 a.m.)
- Indeed, well said. nfm nan duval (4/6/2008 8:50 a.m.)
- insightful and well put, thanks! nfm Ivonne (4/6/2008 5:57 a.m.)
- Nicely Said BarbaraB (4/6/2008 12:54 a.m.)
Liar is too strong, I think Jean B (4/5/2008 1:52 p.m.)
- How could Emma not be consciously lying? Tracy W (4/5/2008 9:19 p.m.)
  - That's the last time I defend Emma Jean B (4/7/2008 1:04 p.m.)
    - If I understood you Laraine (4/8/2008 8:56 a.m.)
  - LOL!!! My thought exactly!!! nfm Lila (4/6/2008 7:14 p.m.)
- What we call it is probably partly influenced Nancy Ann (4/5/2008 7:11 p.m.)
Say rather, a sophist Tarn (4/5/2008 4:59 a.m.)
certainly not the truth of it... Ivonne (4/5/2008 1:04 a.m.)
- 'She did not always feel so absolutely satisfied with herself' Joan Ellen (4/5/2008 8:21 a.m.)
More self-deception than lying, IMO; Emma has lots to learn. nfm Mary-L (4/5/2008 12:34 a.m.)
- How is it self-deception? Tracy W (4/5/2008 6:05 a.m.)
  - She recalls her good intentions, not her actions. nfm Mary-L (4/6/2008 12:17 a.m.)
    - Emma was lying about her intentions, not her actions Tracy W (4/6/2008 6:27 a.m.)

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