Posted by Cassandra on June 29, 1997 at 22:22:10:
In reply to Re: ...and the battle for Emma's soul... posted by Kali on June 29, 1997 at 15:29:37
To give his subconscious more credit, however, note that from the beginning Mr. Knightley...Mr. Kind and Cheerful...has always been very hard on Frank - even before his arrival! This is one of my little ironic clues, as is Mr. Knightley's wishing Emma in love with some doubt of its return
Essentially, the situation is a battle for her soul - for her future! - in which SHE must participate in order to fully triumph. It has nothing to do with whom she marries, but with whom she ultimately values and for which reasons. This is why Box Hill is the climax...the scolding is is way of saying, "I've done all that I can. Put my words to work!" It is Emma, through the teachings of Mr. Knightley, who wins.
YES!!!!!! YES!!!!!! Emma is a growing up story-this doomed to blindness, ignorant of her heart, young woman's road to self-knowledge and understanding. It definitely goes beyond "which guy she ends up with." The brilliance of Emma is that we know her heart before she does. All of the subtle clues-her jealousy of Jane-the rumoured Knightley/Jane connection(concern for little Henry-yeah right!); her conversations with Harriet highlighting Mr. Knightley's perfection.
Emma's story rings true everytime. How does she wake up, after all? When she is threatened with losing Mr. Knightlley-cmpletely believable, human, touching, indentifiable, and just WONDERFUL!!
And as for Mr. Knightley's subconcious-how about the early, delicious, revealing, conversation with Mrs Weston: "I have not a fault with her as a person..I think her all you describe. I love to look at her."