Mr Knightley envious of FC (EMMA BOARD message #1856)

Mr Knightley envious of FC

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Posted by kathleen (elder) on September 06, 1997 at 12:54:24:

In response to Possibly a stupid question, written by Kathy F. on September 06, 1997 at 10:04:25

] In the proposal scene, just after Mr. Knightley has gone off on FC, Emma says, "You speak as if you envied him." And he replies, "And I do envy him, Emma. In one respect he is the object of my envy."

] Precisely WHAT is the envious point??

] After this is said, Emma thinks immediately of Harriet ("They seemed to be within half a sentence of Harriet..."), but I cannot figure out why--was it because FC was able to monetarily marry so much beneath him, and Emma thought that Mr. Knightley was planning to do the same thing with Harriet?

Mr Knightley envies Frank because Frank is engaged to a woman he loves and who returns his love. Emma assumes that Mr Knightley is thinking about Harriet when in fact he is thinking about Emma. Your point about being able to marry down is a possible (additional) piece of Emma's mistake -- I hadn't thought of it before, but it seems quite likely.

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