Emma is a light read compared to Persuasion, our last month’s novel. But surprisingly, I had a hard time absorbing the story. I suspect it’s because it’s a “rebound book” for me. Consider my Twilight series (4 books) addiction and then the abrupt shift to Emma.
I can see myself in some of Emma’s ways. I mean, trying to be worry-free most of the time (minus the brat side). But moreso, when she does matchmaking and playing cupid. Although, I do it all for the fun of that moment. I never significantly persuade my friends in their decisions. At times, I became the middlegal for the miscommunications. Gladly, they worked.
Emma’s friend, Harriet, got a marriage proposal from a farmer. She was persuaded to refuse the offer since he is socially inferior. Emma then did match making between Harriet and Mr. Elton. The latter incidentally proposed to her instead. She did reject not just because of the fear that she’ll hurt her friend’s feelings, but she was not really interested with Mr. Elton. The latter soon left and returned with a rich wife. A social climber, he is.
The story became colorful when Mr. Churchill came. I thought he and Emma would end up together. But he was actually secretly engaged with Jane, an orphan niece of her neighbor, Miss Bates. There was a point when Emma matchmaked (again) her friend Harriet to Mr. Churchill. Isn’t she so playful?
All throughout the story, Mr. Knightley is there for Emma. He is her only critic and close friend. I absolutely like the fact that he is there to tell her when she is right or wrong, and when he said, “a true friend never doubts, but hopes” and kissed her hand.
When Harriet declared that Mr. Knightley probably fancies her, that was when Emma realized that she’s in love with him. The marriage proposal part is so heartwarming:
Mr. Knightley: I rode through the rain! I’d – I’d ride through worse than that if I could just hear your voice telling me that I might, at least, have some chance to win you. Marry me. Marry me, my wonderful, darling friend.
Emma: Mr. Knightley, if I have not spoken, it is because I am afraid I will awaken myself from this dream.
It’s not conclusive, but I generally find it cute to hear/see long time friends profess love more than friendship for each other. It just sometimes needs a trigger to admit it. That it explains why they cannot have much attraction towards the others. Because they are fools to admit that the one they are longing for already belongs to them. Well, of course, I respect the other state of friendship. There are friends, who will just be friends, and for some reasons, are just better off as friends.
This is my most favorite line in the story (Mr. Knightley telling Emma):
“Maybe it is our imperfections which make us so perfect for one another.”http://static.addtoany.com/menu/page.js
0 thoughts on “Meet Emma”
sheng
OMG, I am way behind Emma, forgive me, but i will soon be reading this, you see, I have to finish my tasks before I go to my Bora get-away, I have to do pending and advance works in order not to have pending jobs when I get back. Huhuhu, and hey, thanks so much for the lovely package you sent me in the Creative Swap. I love it so much. I did not expect it was for me, I don’t think I will be using that, I will place it in a frame, and hang it in my room. God bless, hmmm, any tips you’d like to give me in order to enjoy BOracay?
Thanks Jo, you are an angel! I posted one in my blog about the swap!
shengs last blog post..The Dreamweaver
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witsandnuts
Hi Sheng! Don’t worry about Emma, first things first. 🙂 Emma can wait. I’m glad you liked the package. Hey, hope you’ll use that ha? 🙂
When’s your trip to bora? Sang station kayo mag stay? I’ll send you an email. 😉
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joshmarie
wow! i bet you read a lot. 🙂 il read the book. 🙂
joshmaries last blog post..RESBAK 101
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witsandnuts
Uhum, not really. Only when I came here. Had more time. But okay, yes. I love to read. 🙂
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Angeli Picazo
Hi there, as my kid sister and i were watching Clueless (that 90s movie starring Alicia Silverstone) last Saturday, it struck me how Alicia’s character has so much in common with Emma. 🙂
Angeli Picazos last blog post..Connectivity Problems
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witsandnuts
I read from somewhere that Clueless has much resemblance to Emma. I’ll try to see that film one of these days. 🙂
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odette
i may have to finish a few pages yet…. 🙂
my review coming up soon!
odettes last blog post..my desk
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witsandnuts
Take your time. I’ll do the round up next week. 🙂
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JMom
Hi Sheng, I’m still reading Emma. I started a week ago and I’m not even half way through. It’s going really, really slow for me. I’m still at the point where Mr. Churchill enters the picture, and I kind of guessed that there is something going on between him and Jane than they were letting on. I’m guessing the pianoforte is from him. right? That’s where I’m at right now.
Emma is just not connecting with me. I’m kind of wishing right now the story was more about Jane. hehe! I’ll post more of my thoughts when I finish reading. Maybe my mood towards Emma will have improved by then because right now, “playful” is just not what I would use to describe that girl. 🙂
JMoms last blog post..Handbag Giveaway Galore!
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JMom
oops, sorry, didn’t mean to call you sheng 🙂
JMoms last blog post..Handbag Giveaway Galore!
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witsandnuts
Hi JMom! I had a hard time absorbing “Emma” because I was still into Breaking Dawn that time. Take your time. I’ll do the round up late part of the week. 🙂
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renin
here’s my very LATE entry for EMMA http://reninlagrio.blogspot.com/2008/09/my-emma-within.html
I am reading again Mansfield Park…
renins last blog post..Another Image of Poverty
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witsandnuts
Hi Renin! Saw your entry last night and I’ve updated the round up, too. Glad you’ve enjoyed Emma. 🙂 I’m yet to finish Mansfield Park.
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