Austen never gets old. Her writing is so true to life… maybe not life nowadays, but the people in it. People are the same as they’ve ever been: misconstruing things, chasing after others, and meddling with relationships (both theirs and their friends). And that's why I love revisiting her novels!
Summary:
Emma Woodhouse had lived the ideal life. Emphasis on HAD. Yet once her best friend/governess is married, Emma decides to counteract the boredom by becoming a secret matchmaker. Some, mainly her brother-in-law Mr. Knightley, advises against the idea as meddlesome, but Emma takes such discouragement as a challenge. Fancying herself as the fairy godmother, she befriends the lower class Harriet Smith and dedicates her times to teaching Harriet to be a noble lady and attract an equally noble husband. But her interference may end up doing more harm than good, and while Emma sets up matches for others, what is to become of her own heart?
Verdict: 8.5/10
What a whirlwind! Each time I read an Austen novel, I'm so blown away by how older language and events can still feel so modern. All of her characters seem like people I would meet today. Their discussions and relationships feel like ones I have myself every day... minus the corsets and grand mansions of course. But it adds a little romantic escapism to the relational rollercoaster that people have experienced since even before Austen's era to today.
It should be said that, like Shakespeare or black coffee, Austen's novels are not for everyone. They take a lot of concentration and can be slower-paced at times.
The author always packs so much info about characters and timelines and opinions into a small space so you really have to pay attention. I mean just looking at the first 3 pages, they contain Emma's whole childhood, describe the family's situation, and express everyone’s opinion of the recent marriage as well as Emma’s current mentality and dilemma. That combined with the older language doesn't make the novel as much of a casual read for the every-day reader. But if you're willing to sift through some of the more mundane conversations, the plot and character development set the stage for the romantic genre the world over.
I would also argue that the mundane is what Austen captures so well. We may not send carriages for our friends or worry about who's coming to tea, but we latch on to the world of Highbury and its occupants because they're human. They're emotions and actions are the same as they would be today, just in a different context. Who hasn't misunderstood the intentions of someone or had an unrequited crush?
Another very human quality to Austen's players is that they can be wrong! Having an unreliable narrator as well as biased supporting roles is so real to life. Very rarely does anyone observe interactions and know the whole truth of the matter. It's a type of intrigue that isn't necessarily thrilling like an action movie but still keeps you in suspense. You find yourself trying to predict along with Emma who likes who and what will happen next. And like reality, sometimes we're right and sometimes we're wrong.
I will say that of all of Austen's heroines that I've read thus far, Emma is probably the least likeable. She's spoiled, opinionated, narcissistic, snobby, and imposing. Emma gets ideas in her head about what a person should be or imagines what a stranger must be like and then makes the world fit that image. Don't get me wrong, we may all do this to an extent, but hers is narrow-minded to a point that seems extreme. But her good intentions make the reader want it to work out for her regardless.
And like most of Austen's classics, the peak of character development is usually when the heroine learns how wrong she is, either in her actions or beliefs. It’s when Emma goes from being a girl to being a woman.
(SPOILERS) The transition started with her mortification over Harriet and Elton, but it’s not enough to change her as she considers it a simple misunderstanding on her part. But her actions toward Miss Bates make her feel the most guilt as they were petty and as Knightley pointed out were completely harmful and unwarranted to a kind person who only thought well of her. Knightley's interference has always been the thing to correct her, but Emma has to finally open her eyes and see herself from his view to know her faults and try to correct them.
But the ultimate climaxes of Austen are the reveals. I was able to predict a few while others were absolute soap opera moments that just make you gasp and fangirl. I found myself yelling at Emma "not Harriet AGAIN! Give up the scheme". Or (SPOILERS) "Oh MY HeArT! I thought Harriet was going to say Martin again but KNIGHTLEY?! And then Emma realizing why she’s so upset BECAUSE SHE’S IN LOVE! I’m DYING, Austen!"
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