Discussion #1

~Discussion #1~

April 20, 2015

By Jaclyn Psenka

Regan’s question: Where is the setting, how is it there (classes), and how does this play into the plot of the story?

-Rose starts out by saying Emma lives in Hartfield rather than Highberry. This is actually where Ms. Taylor moved with Mr. Weston.

-Jaclyn says(from the quote that Rose read) Considering Ms. Taylor would have been “happier if she would have spent all the rest of her life at Hartfield” (6). This shows women did not have much input at the time. Men were always dominant and that is how life was at that time.

Regan’s question: So far how would you describe Emma? What are her main qualities? What’s your feel on her?

-Lily says she’s kind of bratty. She finds she thinks to highly of herself.

Rose thinks she’s a narcissist. On page 10, Emma says “it is the greatest amusement in the world” (match-making). Rose explains that she matches people for herself rather than the other people.

-Lily says Emma does also look out for other people.

-Jaclyn asks if this story is just going to be about match-making? There has to be a reason Austen talks about it so much.

-Rose states that Mr. Knightly says that he does not really think it’s a good idea for her to be meddling around on page 11.

-Lily points out that on that page, Emma’s dad says Emma never thinks of herself and she can do good to others.

-Regan says it seems like her dad thinks really highly of her.

-Rose infers Jane Austen is trying to pull and push her character.

-Jaclyn asks why do you think that she’s doing that? Do you think she wants the reader to like Emma?

-Rose claims Austen can’t make the main character a person everyone will hate, because then they won’t read the book. So, I think her flaws add a sort of substance to her.

-Lily thinks that even her dad thinks that both of her daughters are perfect.

-Rose does not  think that that’s entirely true. There’s a quote..

-Jaclyn says the quote is “Pray do not make any more matches, they are silly things and break up one’s family circles grievously” (11).

-Regan and Lily agree that Mr. Woodhouse does not really like change.

Regan’s question: How would you describe Ms. Taylor’s and Emma’s relationship?

-Rose says they are like mother and daughter. Emma was too young when her mom died, so Emma puts Ms. Taylor in the position of her mom.

-Everyone agrees on the answer no.

-Rose thinks she clearly did not teach her to be humble.

-Jaclyn says that children without siblings have the reputation for being bratty. All of the focus goes to making them happy even if the child thinks that they are perfect.

-Rose takes back her mother-daughter comment quoting “It was more the intimacy of sisters”

-Regan agrees and adds that sisters don’t really fill the job of a governess. “Her shadow of temper” made her struggle as being an authority figure and “Emma did just what she liked”

-Jaclyn says that her behavior all falls back to the lack of parenting she had and still has in her life.

-Lily agrees and adds that she never had anyone telling her no so she thinks that everything she does is right.

Regan’s question: Why do you think Ms. Taylor plays such a big role in Emma’s life.

-Rose thinks she needs her because her mom is not there.

-Jaclyn questions why she would not just look to her dad because he really does love her.

-Rose explains that that does not mean he wants to take care of her.

-Lily says he is definitely a family man, but in those days he worked and he didn’t have time to give her attention all the time.

-Regan elaborates and says that in those days the kids stayed home and learned while the dads had their own life to live.

Regan’s question: Who is Harriet Smith?

-Rose says she’s a pretty girl that Emma admires just for her beauty.

-Everyone kind of disagrees

-Jaclyn says that Emma thinks it’s almost her job to take Harriet in and fix her. She wants to make Harriet just like her.

-Rose agrees saying Emma won’t let Harriet be with Mr. Martin because he’s too low of a class for Emma.

Regan’s question: What do you think of Emma and Harriet’s relationship?

-Rose says it’s superficial

-Lily says Emma is using her.

-Rose says they are using each other because everyone is starting to get tangled in love.

-Lily says Mr. Elton likes Emma, but Emma does not see that because she’s the matchmaker and Lily does not think Emma likes Mr. Elton

-Jaclyn thinks Emma is kind of clueless and oblivious to her own little world.

-Rose says that Emma made a promise to herself that she would never marry.

-Lily says Emma thinks that she is too good for love. She then brings up the fight between Mr. Knightley and her and that Harriet used to be oblivious to class but Emma made her believe class was important.

-Jaclyn agrees saying that Emma is morphing Harriet into a version of herself.

Regan’s question: Why do you think Emma wants to befriend/ help Harriet so bad?

-Lily thinks it’s because she never had any problems of her own.

-Rose asks if Lily thinks it’s out of pity.

-Lily confirms it.

-Jaclyn suggests it may be out of boredom and she may need a new victim for matchmaking.

-Lily says “she loved her father but she was no companion for her” (5). Harriet has potential.

-Rose brings up the beauty again.

-Jaclyn finally agrees with her and considers that it may be important and symbolize her superficiality.

-Rose explains again that Emma does not dig deep. Mr. Martin was probably a better guy than Mr. Elton, but Emma directs Harriet towards Mr. Elton because he has money.

-Lily takes a different angle and says that Emma thinks that Harriet will be easier to match up if she’s pretty.

Regan’s question: Do you think Emma’s personality is going to change at all during the book? Do you have any predictions?

-Jaclyn thinks that Mr. Knightley will change her. He’s definitely there for a reason and could possibly be a love interest.

-Lily says there’s a definite foreshadow of their relationship. He’s going to affect her in some way. Specifically Emma says that she was always someone that cared about his judgement.

Regan’s question: Personally, do you think you would want Emma as a friend?

-Lily says she seems like a person you would like at first. She appeals to the thought of being wanted. She can’t see her being a long time friend though. Her selfishness seems apparent.

-Jaclyn says it seems like it would be a one-way friendship. She wouldn’t like someone to have full control over a friendship like that.

-Rose says you would know that she’s your friend for the wrong reasons.

-Lily contests this saying that Harriet does not know this.

-Rose says that you know Emma and that should be enough.

-Regan agrees with everyone.

Regan’s question: Why do you think Harriet is so okay with Emma showing her the way to be? Do you think she’s oblivious?

-Lily says maybe she needs the guidance because she has never had parents. She needs a strong stable person.

-Jaclyn says Emma is not even very stable anyway.

-Lily agrees that Emma is not stable, but it is someone who looks out for Harriet and maybe Harriet needs that.

-Lily quotes Emma’s selfish friendship “it will give you everything you want,consideration, independence, a proper home, it will fix you in the center of your real friends, close to Hartfield and to me and confirm our intimacy forever.” Lily believes that’s why Emma wants Harriet to be with Mr. Elton so that she does not move away from her.