Posted by Kali on August 07, 1997 at 18:12:20:
In reply to Emma and friendship posted by sherry on August 07, 1997 at 17:10:02
Why was it alright for Emma to befriend the natural daughter of nobody knows who but not Mrs.Robert Martin aka Harriette. Was it because as long as" nobody knows who" remained that way they could all pretend, like Emma, that her father was a baronet or something and so enjoy her company? How hypocritical can you get?
Hi Sherry...and indeed, how hypocritical can you get? Especially when you consider Emma's instinct to snub the Coxes - a perfectly respectable family. The whole situation is a product and a symptom of Emma's delusion. I believe that even if there WAS good reason to believe that Harriet's blood was blue, the main satisfaction for Emma wasn't in the friendship, but in her patronage of a younger, weaker individual. For Emma to get the credit for "making" a gentleman's daughter, Harriet would have to be successfully assimilated into good society (read: married to Mr. Elton, or someone comparable), which would be "impossible" without some sort of blood connection to grandness. So Emma deludes herself into thinking that there must be such a connection.
As far as Emma's friends, I doubt their fascination had the same roots. They like Harriet becuase she's sweet, and because she's Emma's friend. The only person who'll admit so much to Emma's face is Mr. Knightley. He always speaks the truth.