Posted by Nora on July 16, 1997 at 21:50:30:
The one thing that has bothered me about reading Emma and watching the various adaptations is during the infamous insulting of Miss Bates by Emma. How would she say such a thing (which I consider quite a weak insult), that would affect such a person in that way? I mean in the movies, Miss Bates goes on insulting herself like nothing, but after Emma says "You are to be limited to three very dull things" she gets so upset. It must have been a large social crime, but I can't seem to understand the full value that such a comment would cause. Does anyone know?