Posted by kathleen (elder) on July 01, 1997 at 10:29:11:
In reply to Re: Emma as an old maid! I DON'T THINK SO. posted by greg on June 30, 1997 at 23:17:38
] i will, i will, i will! do you REALLY think any landed gentleman within 20 miles of kate beck(er, emma) would let her go to waste? COME NOW, MISS ELDER.
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Ms Elder, if you please! ;-) (Actually, you may call me kathleen.)
I really do not believe there were that many Mr Knightleys in the vicinity -- truly willing to give up independence and move in with Mr Woodhouse (where Mr W would be the head of household). And, where/when will Emma meet these men? She moves "in a very confined and unvarying society" (to quote Mr Darcy). And, would she fall in love with one of them? (Emma would not marry without love, I believe, as would none of JA's heroines.)
No, no -- without Mr Knightley, I believe it highly likely that Emma would end up staying single. And, if so, her future could be bleak. That's part of why the ending is so satisfying for me -- it is not only the best solution, it is the only one with good prospects for Emma.
If you wish to court Emma (or Kate, for that matter), I wish you well! And, please let us know the outcome. ;-)