Jane Austen Read A Long discussion

Discuss chapters 1-10 of Emma here!

I just started. I don't really know anything about the story.

Paget wrote: "I just started. I don't really know anything about the story."

Neither do I! haha so this definitely will be a new experience for me as well.

I'll admit, I'm having a harder time getting into this one. lots of names and people to keep track off!

I agree! I had to make a list -

Emma Woodhouse

her father

Mr. Elton, the minister

Harriet Smith, an orphan raised and educated by Mrs. Goddard (Mrs. Goddard isn't important)

Mr. Knightley, neighbor and friend of the Woodhouses, who treats Emma like a much younger sister (He is sort of her brother-in-law, because his brother is married to Emma's older sister.)

Mrs. and Miss Bates, old friends of the Woodhouses, living just above the poverty level

Jane Fairfax, relative of the Bates women

Mr. and Mrs. Weston - He's not important, but she was Emma's 'companion' and remains her confidante

Frank Churchill, Mr. Weston's son by his first wife (raised by another family, so he took their name)

One or two others appear, but to list them might be spoilers for you.

Where are you in the novel?

Susan wrote: "I agree! I had to make a list -

That's great! I think I'm at chapter 6 or 7 ATM. And I'm starting to get oriented with everyone. I just find everyone is introduced as Mr/Mrs and it gets overwhelming!

I wish I understood the "rules" of Austen's time about who is called Miss or Mr. and who is called by a first name.
Harriet Smith and Jane Fairfax have lower status than Emma, but Frank Churchill stands to inherit from the couple who raised him.
Mrs. and Miss Bates are poor; maybe they are respected because of their ages.

Susan wrote: "I agree! I had to make a list -

Emma Woodhouse

her father

Mr. Elton, the minister

Harriet Smith, an orphan raised and educated by Mrs. Goddard (Mrs. Goddard isn't important)

Mr. Knightley, nei..."

Oh my goodness, thank you for creating the list!

I'm getting started today. Here goes!

I'm so late to this readalong! Getting started tonight :)

Emma strikes me as a pleasant version of Lady Catherine in P&P. She:

1) Very much likes to be of use to people, whether or not they ask for her help.
2) Is extremely condescending and kinda snobby.

I think I might like Mr. Knightley better than Mr. Darcy.

I understand your comparison of the characters, but I think Emma is naive and kind, while Lady C is bossy and conniving. Think about how Lady C tried to manipulate Elizabeth into promising not to marry Darcy. Emma wouldn't browbeat anyone.

And I totally agree about liking Mr. K better than Mr. D.
Mr. D is snooty until Elizabeth throws his back-handed proposal back into his face.
Mr. K may criticize Emma for her actions, but he's treating her like a big brother, correcting her for meddling with Harriet and the farmer (sorry if I spoiled something).
I think that Mr. K and Emma will make a much better fictional match because they share more experiences and are socially / economically equal.

I'm not sure I believe that Emma is less conniving than Lady Catherine. She might be nicer about it, but she is manipulating Harriet in order to get her own way. I find it a bit more insidious because she so nice and subtle about it. Just because she thinks she's doing Harriet a kindness doesn't absolve her.

I do believe that Emma is willing eventually to see when she's wrong and adjust accordingly, which I think is the biggest difference between the two.

Okay, I understand your comparison better now.

What happened to the 20-some other people who signed up to read the Austen novels?

Let me tell how arrogant I think Emma is lol she's a trip

She has been treated like a princess her whole life and doesn't know what failure feels like.