EMMA BY JANE AUSTEN BOOK REVIEW
Emma, written by Jane Austen and published in 1815, is a classic novel of that era. It shows social issues and romanticizes with a positive vibe.
Jane is one of my favorite writers, and the way she writes her novels is impeccable.
Women characters created by Jane Austen are very wise, witty, strong-headed, and kind. She always tried to break the social norms of gender equality where women characters were stronger, had independent thinking, and had high self-esteem, integrity, and self-confidence, but in a positive way.
Even male characters written by Jane are very different from those of their period. They have very high moral values, respect for women, emotional vulnerability, and intelligence, and are kind-hearted and powerful but at the same time helpful, dedicated, and loyal, rather than being self-centered, egoistic, dominating, or having negative bad habits.
This novel starts with Emma Woodhouse, a wealthy, beautiful young woman who lives with her father, who is unwell and lives in Hartfield Estate in the Surrey town of Highbury.
Emma’s governess Miss Taylor, married Mr. Weston. Just introducing them, she took the credit for it. After that Emma thought, she was good at matchmaking. Miss Taylor is like an elder sister and a friend to her.
After the wedding, she was so sad and looking for a new companion. Now she is proud of doing matchmaking and trying to find a suitable match for her new friend, Harriet Smith. Emma is manipulating her to find someone else. Even when Robert Martin proposes to Harriet for marriage, she makes her refuse the proposal.
Mr. George Knightley is Emma’s close family friend, a mentor, and her sister Isabella’s brother-in-law and her love interest is a farmer and owner of the largest estate in the area. Mr. Knightley’s character is mature, positive, hardworking, loving, and a simple but smart man, who is the perfect opposite fit for Emma. She perfectly depicted other characters in the book as well.
Whom she respects and admires, can share her worries with him and Mr. Knightly treats her the same, advises as needed and he is the only person who can make Emma realize her mistakes. He is the complete contrast in character opposite to Emma’s.
After so many misunderstandings and mistakes of Emma, she feels guilty. She learns from her mistakes because she has started liking Mr. Knightly, who gives Emma a reality check of her doings. In this process, she realizes her love for Mr. Knightly. And is the only person who understands her well and makes her realize her mistakes.
Overall, I loved reading Emma, who is a very positive headstrong character, and Mr. Knightly, who is the perfect main protagonist who can inspire a lot of women. This is my second favorite after “Pride and Prejudice.”. Emma is a timeless piece that I can read again & again.
Some of the best quotes from Emma:
“People are gonna tell you who you are your whole life. You just gotta punch back and say, “No, this is who I am”. You want people to look at you differently? Make them!”
“I cannot make speeches, Emma…If I loved you less, I might be able to talk about it more. But you know what I am. You hear nothing but truth from me. I have blamed you, and lectured you, and you have borne it as no other woman in England would have borne it.”
“I may have lost my heart, but not my self-control. ”
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐