And what of "Emma"?
Posted by Erin on January 24, 1998 at 13:44:33:
In response to Looking at Patrick's question from a slightly different angle, written by Caroline on January 15, 1998 at 18:47:20
In addition to analyzing the structure of P&P, and allusions to Mansfield Park, Persuasion and S&S, I've read no mention of Austen's most difficult (in the sense of ambiguous) heroine and book: Emma. Let's grant the assumption that Austen seeks balance in all matters, how does Emma fit into this paradigm? Although Emma is not my favorite Austen book, I'm very intrigued as to whether the work could be subject to a similar analysis.; and needless to say, any dissection along these lines would be fascinating (to me at least ;-)).
But, let me qualify why I don't enjoy Emma as much as I do P&P: while would agree that Emma is Austen's most complex work, it lacks the sturdy, crystal clear structure and rhythm of P&P. P&P is like a Platonic form, in that its definition and clarity approach the absolute...no ambiguity, little obscurity. Although I prefer the more complex to the simple in general, I am seduced by P&P's sparkling, solid ideal.
Erin
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