Posted by Jen K on August 09, 1997 at 19:54:07:
In reply to Re: The brothers Knightley and Emma posted by Laraine on July 31, 1997 at 15:14:10
] ] During the Christmas eve party at Randalls, I was struck by the contrasting personality and behavior of the two Knightley brothers. John certainly displayed his mischievous streak when he stirred up the pot so to speak with his pronouncements on the state of the weather. He manages quite nicely to break up a very agreeable party.
] Mr. Knightley is always called things like direct and plainspoken, but there's a big difference in the brother's behaviour. Mr. John Knightley seems to be unable to keep himself from doing something that he would have to know (if he thought about it) will upset Mr. Woodhouse and his own wife. Why doesn't he manage to contain himself.
You both have made me think on this. We know that the Knightleys are sensible men. We also know that Highbury, as pleasant as it may be, is not a 'perfect' place. The society is somewhat dull, and Emma, who's fully too young, is sort of the queen of the village, considered by everyone except the Knightleys to be near perfect. Emma's father and sister are clingy hypocondriacs. If the John Knightleys live in town, they're likely to run into a few more reasonable people than in Highbury. Is it any wonder that John has a little trouble adjusting to the silliness that surrounds him? How George could be so incredibly nice to everyone 99% of the time amazes me!
John Knightley reminds me of the husband (sorry, can't remember the name) in S&S, the one who just bursts out and says "you'll do no such thing!" A counterbalance, if you will; abrupt, to be sure, but the Rock of Gibraltar underneath.