Interference
Posted by Kinter on April 23, 1998 at 13:23:42:
In response to Interference, CCF & JA, written by Linden on April 22, 1998 at 20:49:03
] In CCF, the heroine appears to have the author's approval for the way she interferes in other people's lives. JA, however, is ambivalent.
] Some clear examples: Emma is roundly condemned for her matchmaking. Lady Russell's persuasion of Anne condmned her to years of misery.
] There are others where the condemnation is not so strong - the Bertrams' adoption of Fanny turned out all right, but not in the way Sir Thomas expected.
] On reflection, the only example of interference which JA seems to approve of totally is Mr Darcy's action in forcing Wickham to marry Lydia. (Though maybe Marrianne's marriage to Col. Brandon might count here, too.)
] I wonder if JA grew to dislike the way people interfered with other people's lives as she matured, with "Emma" and "Persuasion" rejecting her earlier approval?
] All this is a bit tentative: thoughts, anyone?
A very interesting idea. Perhaps I tend to look at the story a bit more literally. Darcy is who he is and therefore feels he MUST rectify this situation. But in JA's day, Lydia would have been in a very bad place had it not been resolved the way it was. Lady Russell couldn't help but try to persuade Anne, acceding to which cost Anne a number of years of happiness.
On the other hand, Emma's matchmaking wasn't in the same class as the Darcy interference. JA said something about Emma being someone only she (JA) could like, didn't she? I thought Emma was thoroughly delightful in both Emma2 and Emma3. But I felt much as Knightly did when I tried to put myself in his place. I think that JA thought up the characters and then figure out the most interesting situation she could place them in. Any thoughts on that?;-)
- JA and interference Laraine 14:18:16 4/23/98
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- Force, persuasion and information Linden 20:31:50 4/23/98
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- I like! Laraine 11:06:08 4/24/98
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- I like! Laraine 11:06:08 4/24/98
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- Force, persuasion and information Linden 20:31:50 4/23/98
(1)
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