Posted by Sylvia on July 23, 1997 at 13:11:44:
In reply to Re: Because Of? posted by Laraine on July 23, 1997 at 10:00:35
"I am going to do so-and-so; papa says I may, or I have Miss Taylor's leave'--something which, you knew, I did not approve.
________
What do you think it was that Emma was going to do? Before the action of the book, Emma's faults and mischieviousness weren't really elucidated. In fact, I believe that Emma's faults were more of the getting-her-own-way variety than something truly reprehensible. Another "fault" that comes to mind is Emma's saying she will read more, but never does. She doesn't apply herself to academic study. But we know she is clever--so maybe she didn't find any books that sparked her imagination. Clever people oftentimes come off as bored or unable to apply themselves. But then of course, Emma's innate goodness (just like Mr. Knightley's) offsets all of these "faults."