emma

Emma is a light read compared to Persuasion, our last month’s novel. But surprisingly, I had a hard time absorbing the story. I suspect it’s because it’s a “rebound book” for me. Consider my Twilight series (4 books) addiction and then the abrupt shift to Emma.

I can see myself in some of Emma’s ways. I mean, trying to be worry-free most of the time (minus the brat side). But moreso, when she does matchmaking and playing cupid. Although, I do it all for the fun of that moment. I never significantly persuade my friends in their decisions. At times, I became the middlegal for the miscommunications. Gladly, they worked.

Emma’s friend, Harriet, got a marriage proposal from a farmer. She was persuaded to refuse the offer since he is socially inferior. Emma then did match making between Harriet and Mr. Elton. The latter incidentally proposed to her instead. She did reject not just because of the fear that she’ll hurt her friend’s feelings, but she was not really interested with Mr. Elton. The latter soon left and returned with a rich wife. A social climber, he is.

The story became colorful when Mr. Churchill came. I thought he and Emma would end up together. But he was actually secretly engaged with Jane, an orphan niece of her neighbor, Miss Bates. There was a point when Emma matchmaked (again) her friend Harriet to Mr. Churchill. Isn’t she so playful?

All throughout the story, Mr. Knightley is there for Emma. He is her only critic and close friend. I absolutely like the fact that he is there to tell her when she is right or wrong, and when he said, “a true friend never doubts, but hopes” and kissed her hand.

When Harriet declared that Mr. Knightley probably fancies her, that was when Emma realized that she’s in love with him. The marriage proposal part is so heartwarming:

Mr. Knightley: I rode through the rain! I’d – I’d ride through worse than that if I could just hear your voice telling me that I might, at least, have some chance to win you. Marry me. Marry me, my wonderful, darling friend.

Emma: Mr. Knightley, if I have not spoken, it is because I am afraid I will awaken myself from this dream.

It’s not conclusive, but I generally find it cute to hear/see long time friends profess love more than friendship for each other. It just sometimes needs a trigger to admit it. That it explains why they cannot have much attraction towards the others. Because they are fools to admit that the one they are longing for already belongs to them. Well, of course, I respect the other state of friendship. There are friends, who will just be friends, and for some reasons, are just better off as friends.

This is my most favorite line in the story (Mr. Knightley telling Emma):

“Maybe it is our imperfections which make us so perfect for one another.”