Posted by Laraine on July 17, 1997 at 14:28:17:
In reply to Re: Emma Woodhouse... posted by Sylvia on July 17, 1997 at 13:46:43
JA set up the "heroine that no one but myself will much like" in that very first line--the tipoff to me was that Emma "seemed to unite some of the best blessings of existence. JA was hinting that not all will be as it seems in this heroine (because if it were, would there even be a story?) While Emma on the surface seems to have it all (handsomeness, cleverness and riches), she vexes and distresses herself and those around her by her own presumptions, misconceptions and actions (as you pointed out, Kathy). That Emma causes her own distress and vexations is JA's irony here.
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Thanks, Sylvia, that helps--
If I understood you, JA is saying that being handsome, clever, rich, with a comfortable home and a happy disposition are not very important if you are also (at least to some degree) proud, self-deceived, and misguided.
Maybe this ties in with the first Weston marriage, which is unhappy even though it might have seemed to be a good match--it had potential on the surface, but really wasn't suitable for (ironically enough) some of the same problems on Miss Churhill/Mrs. Weston's part. Or is that straining the point?
Laraine