‘Emma’ by Jane Austen was first published in 1815. This novel has timeless appeal due to its undying romance and shocking plot twists.
The classic novel Emma begins with the marriage of title character’s governess, Miss Taylor to Mr. Weston. Emma is headstrong, witty and at the same time troubled by her emotions. She is a good daughter who doesn’t want to leave her father and is ready to sacrifice anything for him. She has got into the business of matchmaking which only seems to invite evil upon her. Determined to settle her new friend with upper class husband, Emma plots to bring Harriet and Mr.Elton closer which leads to numerous hilarious situation and emotional folly.
Simple Harriet has to suffer due to Emma’s mistakes. Everyone sees perfection in Emma but not George Knightley. He cannot be fooled by Emma’s composed demeanour; he knows exactly what’s going in her mind and heart. He tries to warn her of her delinquent character but all his warnings on vain when Mr. Elton confesses his fondness for her and not her friend.
Emma is troubled by how she could have done this to her friend Harriet, and starts to push her in different direction. Meanwhile, arrival of Jane Fairfax and Frank Churchill give story a different twist. Jane’s guarded behavior frustrates Emma and guides her to make false assumptions. The conversation between Frank and Emma usher the readers into believing that they are more than just friends. But as the story unfolds readers find romance kindling somewhere else.
Harriet becomes the victim of the ill fate once again and Emma is drugged by her own happiness. She can’t seem to face the fact that once again has failed her friend to whom she had given hope of fine future. Emma can be seen as empathetic character at the same time can be seen as villain who has nothing better to do than lead others to the path of misery.
Despite of the fact that this novel was written in the 19th Century, readers of all generation can relate to the characters. Characters are neither perfectly bounded by their ethics nor are they imperfectly clouded by their judgment based on greed. Each character is unique and has its own story to tell. All the characters in the novel learn their own lessons throughout the journey. Emma has to learn that she can’t be perfect all the time and George Knightley has to learn to embrace her imperfection.
Mr. Woodhouse, the unsettled father of Emma and Isabella, needs to stop worrying about every trouble. Relations among young people in this book is as misguided and snarky as those of high school kids in any era, creating comic confusion. The twenty-one year old main character takes readers on a unique expedition of madness and recklessness.
Readers will grow with the maturity of young clever girl into a modest and considerate woman who is able to accept the idea of love.
Throughout the novel, readers will laugh, fall in love and get out of it, break their hearts and rejoice with the characters in their togetherness. Readers will explore the characters leisurely and upon discovering the true natures of the characters, they will discover themselves. Not only will this novel bring out the true humane nature of the readers but also will make them realize that no one is perfect and imperfection can sometimes lead to perfection.
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