The Second - Emma

Let's play "Guess Who?" I'm thinking of a beautiful young woman from a wealthy family who spends her days dealing with high maintenance family members and pursuing her favorite hobbies – mostly matchmaking and gossip. Well, any guesses? Paris Hilton? Kim Kardashian? Nope!

The answer is... Emma Whitehouse - the main character of this month's Austen challenge book Emma. From the beginning of our story we see Emma: "doing just what she liked; highly esteeming Miss Taylor's (her governess) judgments, but directed chiefly by her own. 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 too well of herself...."

Emma lives with her widowed hypochondriac father on the highest rung of the social ladder of their country town outside London. Unlike other Jane Austen heroines, Emma is comfortable in her wealth and standing, so she does not feel the need to get married. Instead, she fills her spare time in imagining matches for her friends and relatives. The story opens with the wedding of Emma's governess, Miss Taylor, a match Emma claims to have envisioned and brought to being.

Fresh from this victory and confident that she is an excellent judge of character and romantic attachments, Emma hunts for a new project. She finds it in Harriet Smith, a simple, sweet young woman who attends the local boarding school. Harriet comes from questionable parentage and has no income, but Emma is certain that under her guiding hand, she can rise to marry a gentleman. Emma takes Harriet as her close friend, convinced that she would be the perfect match for Mr. Elton, the parson.

Mr. Knightley, the brother of Emma's brother-in-law (did you catch that? Emma's older sister is married to Mr. Knightley's brother), disagrees. He sees Mr. Elton as opportunistic and selfish; he believes that Mr. Elton is more motivated to marry a woman of means, despite Emma's work to improve Harriet.

As Emma maneuvers on behalf of Harriet, we meet several of the people of importance in town. Austen has great fun introducing us to Miss Bates and her mother, Mrs. Bates. Miss Bates, one of the most verbose characters I have ever met, is the spinster daughter of the elderly and hard of hearing Mrs. Bates and the doting aunt of Jane Fairfax, the mysterious newcomer to town who seems to best Emma in grace, manners, and music.

We also meet Mr. Weston, the husband of Emma's former governess, Miss Taylor (now Mrs. Weston). Mr. Weston has a son from a previous marriage, Frank Churchill, who breezes into town for frequent visits, bringing gossip and intrigue. Frank and Emma have a lot in common – both privileged, intelligent, and handsome with too much time on their hands.

As Emma plots on behalf of Harriet, takes care of her father, and banters with Mr. Knightley, we are treated to some of the most intelligent and, frankly hysterical, dialogue of all Austen's work. One of my favorite aspects of reading Austen is her respect for her readers. We, the reader and Austen, are in on the joke together. We give each other a knowing look as we listen to Emma complain about waiting for an invitation to a party or as we watch her instruct Harriet in decoding a note from Mr. Elton.

For that reason alone I can put up with the self-centered and annoying Emma Whitehouse. Emma, my least favorite heroine of all of Austen's work (maybe because she is too much like me?) is redeemed by Austen's genius in making what so many call a novel about nothing into a novel about secrets and social climbing and fear for the future and honesty and fidelity. And Jane Austen can accomplish all this in a conversation during a picnic after an afternoon picking strawberries or in the way a daughter loves her complaining old father.

Emma's work on behalf of Harriet turns in parts cringe-worthy and surprising, with results that neither one could have imagined. The ripples touch all in their circle and end with a satisfying romantic twist. Put this one on your "To Read" list if you haven't already (or "Reread"!).

What did you think of Emma? Would you like to have her as your friend? Would you trust her with romantic advice?

I did watch two movies based on this book. There are quite a few available, but I picked these two for simplicity because they are both on Netflix. The first, "Emma" casts Gwyneth Paltrow as the lead. This movie is gorgeous for costumes, scenery, and screenplay. The casting is very good, especially Mr. Knightley and Mrs. Elton. Highly recommended.

The second movie I watched was "Clueless", starring Alicia Silverstone. Really! This is a very clever retelling of Emma set in the 1990s in a Beverly Hills high school. The screenplay is very close to the book; I loved the ways they found to adapt the story and characters to modern (sort of) times. However (and this is a big However) just because this movie is about teenagers and set in a high school it does not mean it is appropriate for teens. I would recommended that you screen it first if you plan to watch with a tween or younger teen.

Have you seen either of these movies? Do you think they captured the story well?

Have you read Emma? It's absolutely worth your time.

Up for May: Persuasion

Can't wait to hear what you think!

Our Journey with Jane, Part One - Mansfield Park

How far would you go for something you believe in? How long would you hold on to a dream?

For Fanny Price, the heroine of Mansfield Park, standing by firm convictions might mean losing the respect of family and friends and endangering her future financial comfort and place in society.

Wow! We picked an interesting one to begin, didn't we? If you are looking for the typical plucky heroine of Jane Austen and a dashing hero, we don't have them here! The book begins with a young girl, our Fanny, who is taken in to to their home in Mansfield Park by her wealthy uncle and aunt to escape her poor family and a house full of brothers and sisters. Fanny's mother is sister to this Uncle and Aunt (Sir Thomas and Lady Bertram) and also sister to Fanny's Aunt Norris, a frequent visitor to Mansfield Park.

The "kindness" of her uncle and aunt is muted by their constant reminders of her place in their family as the unfortunate cousin. Aunt Norris is the worst for these bits of constructive criticism: "People are never respected when they step out of their proper sphere. Remember that, Fanny."

Fanny is also snubbed by the most of the children of the house – her cousins, Maria and Julia, and their older brother, Tom. Only Edmund, the younger brother, is supportive of Fanny. He wins her trust by bringing her paper and ink to write a letter to William, her favorite brother she left behind when she came to live at Mansfield Park. From that kindness, Fanny and Edmund develop a friendship that naturally for Fanny, turns to love.

While all the others in the family remind Fanny of all she is not, only Edmund helps her to see who she is. She idolizes Edmund, even to the point of overlooking his faults and shortcomings. One of the shortcomings of Edmund arrives in the person of Mary Crawford.

Mary Crawford and her brother, Henry, come to visit their sister, the wife of the parson of Mansfield Park. From London they bring with them progressive social views that up-end the morally conservative society of the country. Along with opinions about marriage for position (Mary says, "A large income is the best recipe for happiness I ever heard of.") the brother and sister have all the glamour and intrigue of the big city. Edmund becomes infatuated with Mary, even as she criticizes his choice to enter the ministry.

Edmund's attentions toward Mary are a "torture" to Fanny. Edmund, oblivious to Fanny's feelings for him, confides in her all the ins and outs of his conversations, thoughts and plans for his future with Mary. Fanny watches as Mary strings Edmund along; Mary befriends Fanny, and Fanny has further pains as she also hears all about Edmund's attentions from Mary herself. But through all this Fanny holds to her love for Edmund and hope that they may have a future together.

Henry Crawford, bored with country life, amuses himself by flirting with both Betram sisters, ignoring the fact that Maria is engaged to Mr. Rushworth – a man oblivious to the world around him and low in social skills, but very wealthy and connected in the community. Henry succeeds in causing both sisters to fall in love with him and to turn on each other.

Fanny watches all this romantic intrigue from the sofa in the corner, put there by her frequent headaches and reminders of her place by Aunt Norris. But when Sir Thomas leaves England for business overseas and the group decides to amuse themselves by putting on a play, Fanny turns from the observer of the group to their conscience. She will not join the play and scolds them for being involved in it.

Here many readers turn against our brave Fanny. Why would she become so upset with the idea of putting on a play? In Austen's time, acting was an inappropriate activity for a lady of position in society, especially in a romantic play like the one chosen by the group. The actresses would have put themselves in compromising situations with men who were not their husbands! I have read many reviews online that complain about Fanny's outdated views, but sometimes I am so tired of "nothing left to the imagination" in Hollywood, and I think Fanny may have a point.

Sir Thomas also believed Fanny had a point. When he returns home suprisingly early he orders to dismantle the stage, and all the preparations for the play are discarded. The group splits up.

Without the play to amuse him Henry Crawford becomes bored with Julia and Maria. He takes up the challenge of Fanny Price. He decides to make Fanny fall in love with him.

This is the most interesting section of the book. Henry continually visits Fanny with claims of love and undying devotion. Even though Fanny openly tells him she doesn't trust him, he romances her with promises to wait for her, to coax her into love and marriage.

When Henry tells Sir Thomas of his plans to marry Fanny, Sir Thomas all but insists that she accept the proposal. Even Edmund and her aunts encourage her to marry Henry. Though everyone agrees he is a player, he is a well-connected one, and Fanny's good heart and moral lifestyle will reform his playboy ways.

With all this pressure from those she admires and those she fears, Fanny tries to hold to her principles. But constant visits from Henry and Edmund's persistence with Mary seem to wear down Fanny's protests. Will she choose the wealthy untrustworthy Henry, or will she hold out for Edmund even while a future with him seems more and more unlikely? The twist at the end is a good one, I think, but I will leave to you to decide if you think Fanny makes the best choice.

Many reviewers criticize Fanny for being judgmental or backward. But considering Fanny's life and viewpoint, I understand her firm convictions. From an early age she had nothing of her own. Her home, her possessions, even her social connections were all given to her by her wealthy relations. All she had were her observations and her opinions. And when the time came when the whole world was forcing her to give even these up, she hung on to them and refused to compromise. You may not agree with all her opinions, but you have to admire her strength.

So, did you read the book? Do you agree with Fanny's choice? 

Did you see any Mansfield Park movies? What did you think? Here's my (very) brief run-down.

-The Netflix version: a miniseries

This one had the screenplay closest to the book, if that sort of thing is important to you. The costumes are wonderful, but the hair and makeup are distracting. Horrible wigs on most of the actors. Many of the characters are spot-on in their casting and acting, but the actress who plays Fanny is terrible! Painful to watch her frozen expressions and wooden mannerisms.

-Mansfield Park (1999)

You can see this one on YouTube. This version has the best cast and acting, but the screenplay is VERY loosely based on the book. It is annoying that the writers placed 21^st century ideas and understandings on this story. The screenplay writers didn't get it at all (or maybe they didn't care. Surely not!). And there are some very disturbing scenes at the end of the movie. Yes. In a Jane Austen story. You have been warned.

-Mansfield Park (2007)

Also on YouTube. Could not get through the first ten minutes of this one. Billie Piper is cast as Fanny Price. Really? I could not watch Rose Tyler as Fanny. (Google Rose Tyler if you are not a Whovian.) Please watch it and tell me what you think.

Do you agree with my movie reviews? Which is more important for a movie adaptation of a novel – good acting or a screenplay closest to the book?

Are you ready for your next challenge? How about Emma for April? Ready, set, go!