(This conversation will contain spoilers for the current chapters.)

R: Hallelujah! Emma sees the light. A little bit. She realised how wrong she was to encourage Harriet to like Mr. Elton, but in other ways she’s still blinded to her own behaviour. She recognises that some of her own attentions to Mr. Elton might have given him the wrong idea, but at the same time we see that she has a bloated concept of her own consequence. She doesn’t think that the clergyman is good enough for her because the Woodhouses are one of the most prominent families in the area. I’m glad that Emma is starting to understand the consequences of her interference.

S: Indeed! As I read Chapter 16, I was thinking of how we so easily convince ourselves we are in the right even as we see our wrong. Emma’s soliloquy is absolutely hilarious!

R: The next chapter is a short one, but has Emma making a difficult but mature step in imparting to Harriet Smith her error in encouraging an attachment between Harriet and Mr. Elton. It was good to see Emma not back off from admitting her mistake and comfort her friend as much as possible. This is somewhat difficult because Harriet can’t get away from the admiration of Mr. Elton by those at the boarding school where she lives.

When Mr. Frank Churchill doesn’t come when expected, Emma and Mr. Knightley have a discussion about the situation. Emma believes that Mr. Churchill will do as he pleases and come to see the Westons at some point, while Mr. Knightley believes that Mr. Churchill is a weak man, under the thumb of his family. This argument, especially when they speak of prejudice, reminds me a great deal of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy, especially their relationship at the beginning of Pride and Prejudice. 

S: Yes! So very true. I think Mr. Knightley is so very right and Emma is so very argumentative. The main thought in my mind as I read Chapters 17 and 18 is that Emma is so utterly prideful. It’s such a pity because there is much she is missing out on by being this way. It’s difficult to watch others shortchange themselves because of their pride.

R: I finished chapter 18 and discovered that my copy of Emma goes on with Volume II, Chapter 1 rather than continuing with a linear chapter numbering. Stacy’s copy doesn’t do this, so for the rest of this book, we will note the chapters both ways in case any of you are reading along and have chapters numbered like mine.

The next chapter gives us another glimpse at Emma’s attitude about her own consequence and that of her neighbours. She and Harriet are out and about and stop in to visit Mrs. and Miss Bates, even though Emma doesn’t really like them. She finds them boring. They learn that Jane Fairfax, Mrs. Bates’ granddaughter, is to visit, but Emma wants to get away before they read out all of Jane’s letter. While I can sort of understand Emma’s feelings about this, like many activities in life, sometimes you have to grin and bear it with grace. Everyone has those topics upon which they like to expound that their friends merely tolerate because they are friends.

S: Indeed! Really, the Bates are quite funny, sweet, innocent, and probably lonely people. While I also understand Emma’s attitude and hesitation about spending time with them now that we’ve met them, I still think she is letting her pride get in the way of developing a good relationship with them, even if it’s not a close friendship. It’s difficult to give others what they need when we are so self-focused.

R: Jane Fairfax arrives and we learn that Emma has an irrational and selfish dislike of the young lady. Emma seems to be partially resistant to friendship with her because everyone expects them to be friends. I sort of understand that. I have a tendency toward disliking things people insist I should like – contrarian human nature!

S: Ah, how true! How unfortunate for Emma that she doesn’t even try to get to know Jane, for she seems like such a sweetheart and to care nothing for gossip. Jealousy is so seductive, and comparison to another so dangerous.

You know, Jane Fairfax reminds me of Fanny from Mansfield Park, and Emma reminds me, as I’ve mentioned before, of Mary Crawford. I really do hope that Emma can get over her jealousy of Jane – it’s not very becoming.