Wild Words
~Blog Post #4~
Topic G
May 7, 2015
Lily O'Gorden
The word game played in Chapter 41 of Emma represents the intertwined and confusing
relationships among most of the characters. Literally, the game is played for
entertainment at a party but the specific game Frank Churchill chooses has a
deeper meaning. In this scene, he suggests that a game is played and introduces the idea of something with words because he wants to “puzzle
Emma again” (330). Metaphorically, this brings up the puzzling relationship
between Frank and Emma from the beginning of the story. The other people present
at this gathering, Jane Fairfax and Mr. Knightley, are also involved in what
makes this friendship so mysterious. As the game starts off, Frank writes the
words “blunder" and “Dixon,” which to Emma seem like a jab at Jane; however,
Frank laughs as if it is a joke and makes these first words seem like flirting.
Mr. Dixon is the man who Emma believed Jane was having an affair with, and
Frank’s game seems to be making fun of Emma, his “blind companion” for thinking
this (331). In addition, this event is
important because it foreshadows all of the future relationships that finally surface at
the end of the novel. Mr. Knightley is worried when Emma is confident that
Frank dislikes Jane, but readers know that Emma should take Mr. Knightley’s warning
about their relationship. He is concerned with making sure Emma doesn't get
hurt, something that foreshadows his love for her. This is also the first time that it is obvious Frank likes Jane through his jokes and subtle flirting.
All the previous misunderstandings between Frank, Emma, Jane,
and Mr. Knightley reach their peak at this party, specifically because of Frank's word game.
Lily,
ReplyDeleteThis is interesting! I did not even think of this scene as a "game," in fact I was just about confused as Emma was. I recognized that Emma was very interested in what Mr. Knightley was doing when Austen said "she was more disturbed by Mr. Knightley's dancing than anyhting else" (309). I never really noticed until i reread that chapter that Emma was very interested in pairs and what was going on. I agree that this foreshadows the future relationships because everyone is finally figuring out who likes who because we all know how this romantic comedy will end! This theme of games shows that the relationship between Frank and Jane is a game. These two's secrets begin to unravel though and they realize it may be hard to pull a fast one over Mr. Knightley and Emma.