Take Mrs Annessley, for example
Written by JulieW
(11/6/2003 5:48 a.m.)
in consequence of the missive, GR: Manners and the art of conversation, penned by Line
By Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley they were noticed only by a curtsey; and, on their being seated, a pause, awkward as such pauses must always be, succeeded for a few moments. It was first broken by Mrs. Annesley, a genteel, agreeable-looking woman, whose endeavour to introduce some kind of discourse proved her to be more truly well bred than either of the others; and between her and Mrs. Gardiner, with occasional help from Elizabeth, the conversation was carried on. Miss Darcy looked as if she wished for courage enough to join in it; and sometimes did venture a short sentence when there was least danger of its being heard. Poor Gerogiana- trying to be the dutiful Hostess when painfuly shy,but at least trying to enter into conversation.Unlike the Superior Siseters who prove ,by their bad manner, not to be so superior at all. And then there is the example of Jane Fairfax.We know, eventualy, why she is so reserved when she is at Highbury.But Eemma does not.And her reaction to Jane's studied quietness is this( Chapter 20): They had music; Emma was obliged to play; and the thanks and praise which necessarily followed appeared to her an affectation of candour, an air of greatness, meaning only to shew off in higher style her own very superior performance. She was, besides, which was the worst of all, so cold, so cautious! There was no getting at her real opinion. Wrapt up in a cloak of politeness, she seemed determined to hazard nothing. She was disgustingly, was suspiciously reserved. and a little later, in the same chapter: The like reserve prevailed on other topics. She and Mr. Frank Churchill had been at Weymouth at the same time. It was known that they were a little acquainted; but not a syllable of real information could Emma procure as to what he truly was. "Was he handsome?" -- "She believed he was reckoned a very fine young man." "Was he agreeable?" -- "He was generally thought so." "Did he appear a sensible young man; a young man of information?" -- "At a watering-place, or in a common London acquaintance, it was difficult to decide on such points. Manners were all that could be safely judged of, under a much longer knowledge than they had yet had of Mr. Churchill. She believed every body found his manners pleasing." Emma could not forgive her. Poor old Emma is making all the running.She is trying to overcome her dislike of Jane and trying to draw her out.But Jane does not play ball.She does not perform her part of her social duty.Poor soul. She is well brought up-she knows what she ought to do, indeed,even worse, I suspect,she knows that Emma is aware of Janes social duities,but her secret engagment and the pressure it puts on her ,forces her to alienate others due to her refusal to take part fully in the social niceties excpeted by polite society.
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