Posted by Sylvia on June 25, 1997 at 02:15:10:
Every time I watch Emma2, I get something new from it. This time (I've lost count how many), I was struck by what a snob Emma really is. I think I missed it before because GP's protrayal emphasized Emma's more lovable side and she wasn't mean about it like Carolilne Bingley (but most of all, because I couldn't tear my eyes away from JN's Mr. Knightley all the previous times!). One early example of her snobbery is her whole attitude about Robert Martin (What? A farmer? It would be a degradation for her to marry a person whom I could not admit as my own acquaintance). Contrast Emma's attitude with Mr. Knightley who thinks of Robert Martin as not only a tenant but a friend. As Mr. Knightley surely is Emma's equal (if not her superior in sense and situation), what right does Emma have to snub Robert Martin?
I can only conclude that all Mr. Knightley's and Miss Taylor's lecturing and setting an example for Emma obviously had no effect. But to give Emma her due, at the end, she does realize the error and blindness of her views (and I believe it was love that enabled her to open her eyes). I can only venture to say that if I had JN teaching me, I would have surely paid more attention!