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!
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