Posted by Kathy F. on August 02, 1997 at 10:25:43:
In reply to Knightley chauvinistic? Or just a man of his times? posted by Susan on August 02, 1997 at 09:37:32
] I'm afraid I'm bringing up the rear here, and I know you're past this point in the group read, but in my last perusal of this most beloved of books, I was particularly struck by this line of Mr. Knightley's to Mrs. Weston in Volume 1, Chapter 5:
] ...you were preparing yourself to be an excellent wife all the time you were at Hartfield. You might not give Emma such a complete education as your powers would seem to promise; but you were receiving a very good education from her, on the very material matrimonial point of submitting your own will,
] and doing as you were bid; and if Weston had asked me to recommend him a wife, I should certainly have named Miss Taylor.
] This one apparently slipped past me in previous readings, but I don't like the tone at all. ;-) I realize that was the traditional way of looking at things, but it is not really the practice that Knightley has followed with Emma, nor the one it appears he will follow when he finally does admit his love for her. Has this been previously discussed? If so, just let me know and I'll look through the archives.
________
(I don't know if it has been discussed--I don't think so.) IMHO, he was either just a man of his times, or half-way joking. Try to read it with a smile, and see if that alters your perception. :-)
Kathy