As I’m beginning to read Jane Austen’s Emma (Starting
a little late, sorry Mrs. Clinch, I’m on it!) I have started even in the
opening pages of the novel to see evidence of Emma having strengths equal to
her flaws. Austen structures the opening pages in such a way that the reader is
presented with some of Emma’s beneficial qualities and immediately following
this is presented with her flaws. In the first sentence of the novel Austen
writes, “Emma Woodhouse, handsome, clever, and rich, with a comfortable home
and happy disposition seemed to unite some of the best blessings of
existence.” (Austen 1). From the
beginning Emma seems incredible, to say someone can “unite some of the best
blessings of existence” is pretty powerful to me. Emma’s beneficial qualities
seem strong and then just two paragraphs down, on the same page it says, “The
real evils, indeed, of Emma’s situation were the power of having rather too
much her own way, and a disposition
to think a little to well of herself: these were the disadvantages which
threatened alloy her many enjoyments.” (Austen 1). When I read this I was like
whoa. For how powerful her strengths came across this flaw seemed equally as
powerful. It was like this was going to lead to her demise. Her strengths and
flaws that we know of thus far seem to both be pretty powerful. Austen also
uses the word “disposition” to describe both of them. I only recently heard
this word in the context of hamlet so I searched it to double check the definition. When I looked it up it came
up as, “the predominant or prevailing tendency of one's spirits; natural mental
and emotional outlook or mood; characteristic attitude” (dictionary.com). The
fact that in the definition it says the predominant or prevailing tendencies of
a persons spirit add to the magnitude of these strengths and flaws. They are
not mere qualities or little quirks about her. We are talking about her
disposition, These ideas dominate her personality. Emma is not a little
conceded sometimes, it is a major attribute to who she is as a person. I thought it was interesting that
Austen introduced her character with such power. After reading only the first
page of the novel I felt like I had an idea in my head of who Emma was. Even
though both her strengths and flaws seem powerful I think the flaws we know of
so far have a slight edge. This flaw has the power “which threatened to alloy
her many enjoyments. That seems serious…
Even
though I am just starting the novel there is something that really bothers me
about it. Austen is quoted on our assignment sheet and I don’t understand what
she is saying, “I am going to make a heroine whom no one but myself will much
like.” I comprehend literally what she is saying I just don’t get how you make
up a character who you believe only yourself will like. And what about her is
going to make everyone else hate her, but not you? That makes me think that
Emma may directly reflect something in Austen’s life? That is the only way I
could see the connection to the character being unique to only Austen.
I find it very interesting that you bring up the pattern of positive attributes to then negative attributes. After reading the first volume and looking back at the previous chapters through that pattern, there are many other instances in which this sort of pattern has occurred. Such as the idea of Harriett as a whole, Austin introduces her as “a very pretty girl, and her beauty happened to be of a sort whom Emma particularly admired.”(Austin 17) this initial description is very positive in regards to Harriett’s physical disposition. Austin then goes on to describe that “Emma was as much pleased with [Harriett’s] manners as her person” (Austin 17). As you pointed out in her blog, these positive things are presented immediately before the negatives. It is the immediate chapter after Harriett’s positive description that Emma begins to have doubts about Harriett’s acquaintances and whether or not they are acceptable or not. I agree that these extreme opposites are essential in creating powerful descriptions in what was otherwise a rather subtle world that they lived in. Austin emphasizes the true black and white of this society through this use of contrasting elements within each character and situation. At this time and within this hierarchy of people, there was a correct way to do things and an incorrect way to do things. The way in which the narrator and Emma views the world and comments on their disposition and societal influences are presented in a manner that exposes that severe contrast between right and wrong.
ReplyDeleteThe definition of disposition and how that connects to Emma’s character is also a very valid and interesting point. I think it’s important to recognize that while the majority of her actions may seem superficial (what to wear to tea, how to walk with a gentleman) underneath that surface is the underlying fact that Emma’s thoughts and actions are a part of her character and her being. The things that she says are who she is. These “major attributes” are what creates the major plotline and problem within this novel. Emma isn’t just matchmaking because she wishes her friends the best in marriage, rather she feels comfort through controlling such important decisions that you very interestingly put as “threatened to alloy her many enjoyments” as if she must in her own way take charge of such a situation so as the horrible choices of others do not interfere with her own personal situation.
Overall I agree with the patterns that you have discerned throughout the novel so far. I believe that Austin’s way in creating the character and Emma especially is important to understand that while Emma may not be the perfect person, her character and her disposition can be shown through her actions and thoughts both by the narrator as well as Emma’s own.