Posted by Kathy F. on August 05, 1997 at 09:07:37:
In reply to Jane Fairfax posted by Christina on August 05, 1997 at 08:35:05
] In my opinion the actress who played Jane Fairfax in the version of "Emma" with Gwyneth Paltrow (is it Emma2 or 3 ? ) portrayed her a bit too selfassured and made her much more elegant and ladylike than Emma. In comparison, Emma was more like a little girl. (I`m thinking about the scene where Emma is asking Jane about Frank Churchill.) I don`t know if it`s just me, but I pictured Jane Fairfax as a little shy mouse.
] What is your opinion?
________
While I don't necessarily agree with Emma2's portrayals in many aspects, (and have only seen it once), I cannot quarrel with JF. She was more elegant than Emma:
Why she did not like Jane Fairfax might be a difficult question to answer; Mr Knightley had once told her it was because she saw in her the really accomplished young woman, which she wanted to be thought herself; and though the accusation had been eagerly refuted at the time, there were moments of self-examination in which her conscience could not quite acquit her.
Although this does not necessarily say that JF was better than Emma, I've always assumed that she was. She had a larger society, more travelling, and better teachers than did Emma. JF wasn't shy, but was very reserved--more so during the novel than during the events which happened before (of which we are just given a peek), because she is repressing so much due to her secret engagement to FC.
Kathy F.