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.”

Have you been persuaded?

Me, yes.  By the book.  Reading Persuasion has been a good starter novel for the members of our online Jane Austen Book Club.  This was JA’s last novel and at some point I agree that this could have been titled The Elliots instead.

Like Sinta and Sheng, I also had to adjust in dealing with the first few chapters.  Unlike Odette who is used to reading classics.  She even had JA’s biography before she got started with Persuasion.  Odette wrote:

I thought jane was a writer distinct from that of her contemporaries, and to understand her novels, i might as well try to learn more of her.

I totally agree when she added,

and now, indulge me to my favorite quote in the book (not about our heroine though, but well, please indulge me anyway, as i fiercely believe it to be true!) : it sometimes happens that a woman is handsomer at twenty-nine than she was ten years before…”

Since I was reading different books in between, I can relate to what Sheng said:

I love the book though, it makes me understand love in a very different phase. But all the other blah-blahs are well, incomprehensible by my dysfunctional brain at the moment. I guess I am just too caught up with Twilight that I could not understand more of this fine book by Jane Austen. I would love Jane Austen’s other books I hope.

I was so astonished when JMom shared this:

Someone asked me sometime ago, “How do you feel when you’re talking to him? Do you feel any of the old feelings you had?” I answered, “Fine, we’re just like old friends now. He’s got his life, I have mine.” I meant it I certainly have no desire to ‘rekindle’ anything or to even want or wish for anything more than just friendship now. I am happy with my life, where I am, who I’m with.

BUT…

You knew that was coming, didn’t you? Now here are the what ifs. What if I listened to everyone instead of my misguided sensibility? What if I married him instead? What if I didn’t ever meet my husband now? Where would we all be today?

And I even asked, how do you deal with an old flame?

Sinta captured me with this:

My absolute favourite part of the story is in Chapter 11 when she talks to Captain Harville about the differences of love of a man and love of a woman. As Anne describes how women love; “All the privilege I claim for my own sex (it is not a very enviable one, you need not covet it) is that of loving longest, when existence or when hope is gone”. It expresses how she feels, how she loves and longs. In this one desperate sentence, she speaks raw of her heart in the presence of her want, who overhears this and is shaken.

And Jeanny asked the million dollar question,

After reading this novel…. I must say… all this comes forgiveness and aspiration. It also confirms that true love indeed stands the test of time.

Would you yield to forget love because of your family and close friends?

***

I understand it may be a little hard to keep up with the schedule.  Given the naturally busy life, some of us are hopping from one book to another (like me!). There’s no need to hurry.  The reading schedule is there to keep us at phase.  But it’s not strictly finished or not, we’re supposed to pass our papers.  For those who are still reading Persuasion, take your time.  Leave me the link once you’re done with the related post and I’ll update the rounds up. =)

I say Hello Emma!

***

If you wish to know more about the book club and the reading schedule, click here.

Persuasion mainly revolved about the intertwined lives in relation to Anne Elliot.  It is interesting to note that in one chapter, she was described as “She was just Anne”.  Yes, she is.  A sensible woman, have been persuaded to break an engagement, and holds an old flame in her heart.

Anne Elliot was persuaded by an elder family friend, Lady Russel to break off her engagement with Frederick Wenthworth because he is deemed not acceptable per family’s standards.  After 8 years, they met again.  And the rest followed.  The story may seem simple.  But Jane Austen really has her way of telling it in a classic and engaging way.

The most interesting part for me was not the one when she finally got the courage to decide for herself.  To renew the engagement with Frederick Wenworth.  But hey, that scene was so heart-trumping, isn’t it?  What I’ve guarded in the story was the moment that Anne and Frederick met again after 8 long years. Put yourself in their shoes, it’s exciting and frightening to see someone wherein you have a pretty deal of unfinished business.

I always believe that no matter how each party claims that they no longer feel for each other, you would never really know if you’re over it till you get a chance to see and spend time with one another again.  It’s more of a confirmation if the unfinished business is finally closed or not.

I think it’s generally acceptable to know that someone in his or her teen years will be easily persuaded.  Especially if your family and friends have justifiable reasons to conclude that the other party will bring no good to you.  But regardless of age, there are people who are easily persuaded.  They live with others expectations and wishes. On the other hand, there are those who listen only to themselves at the end of the day.  Life can be so tricky sometimes. It’s easier to decide and give pieces of advice when you’re not actually the one in the hot seat.  But when you’re the one crossing the bridge, it’s very difficult to know what to do.

What about you? Have you ever been persuaded to take a huge decision which is against your will?  How do you deal with an old flame?

***

This is my entry for this month’s novel in The Jane Austen Book Club.  You may submit your entries here until August 31, 2008 Pacific time.

Photo source

Finally, done with the book.  I’m still feeling like Anne Elliot.  I’d be writing about my random thoughts in a while.  How’s your reading?

PS.  To join The Jane Austen Book Club, click here for the kick-off entry.

Many of us are long been planning to read Jane Austen’s classic novels, but at some point we couldn’t sustain the kick of browsing through it. Or probably you’ve read and/or saw any of the books/films already, but would like to revive the Austen feel. With these, we’re starting our own version of The Jane Austen Book Club. But from what’s told in the film or in the book, we’ll have a few refinement and we’ll do the following:

• We’ll be reading the same title each month
• We’ll write about the novel of the month in our own sites and specifically mention about our favorite chapter, scene, quote or anything that struck us most
• Link back the first Jane Austen-related novel post to this announcement and submit the link to your entry through the comment section
• All the posts/links will be summarized monthly and we can have our sort of Q & A for that
• Anyone may participate in the monthly virtual meet up
• I’m dedicating a page for the book club to include the schedule of novels to be read + the screenshot of the primary website (header) of the members.  It will be updated accordingly, i.e. when there’s a new joiner, etc.  Click here to see the page.
• Contests will be held after we’re done with the 4th and 8th (final) novels. 

Jane (yeah, that’s you!), are you ready?  We’re reading Persuasion for the month of August.  You may submit your entries until midnight of August 31, 2008 pacific time.  The rounds up/ virtual meet will be the next day.

Jane Austen e-books can be downloaded here.