Miss Jane Austen

On the recommendations of one Aaron Mertz I picked up Jane Austen's "Emma" to while away my summer hours and thoroughly amuse myself in the the charming wit of Ms. Austen's writing. Although I disagree with Aaron that "Emma" is the superior Austen work, I can easily see why he enjoys it so.

The marvel of Jane Austen's writing is her ability to craft such lively characters that it is difficult to not expect their arrival on my doorstep at any minute. In "Pride and Prejudice" one cannot help but be annoyed by Elizabeth's mother and appeased by her father. The reader cannot help but be appalled when Mrs. Bennett feels obliged to make a fool of herself by speaking ill of others and in high praise of her unwed daughters at the ball. Jane did not fail me once again in the creation of divine characters in "Emma".

Part of why I consider this the inferior novel (and perhaps why Aaron considers it superior) is because Emma is such a vexing heroine. She thinks far too highly of herself and makes rather harsh judgments of others without much thought. Her primary targets of unfair judgment are Jane Fairfax and Miss Bates, both less well off than Emma, and both with their own peculiarities. Miss Bates' character is written so well that one cannot help but be irritated with her motormouthed character who cannot even stop to take a breath. Her soliloquies, as they can be deemed seeing as no one gets a word in edgewise, are so verbose and full of frivolities that I can't help but feel like I'm sitting on her couch wishing her to shut up in my own head! While Emma has much cause to be annoyed with Miss Bates, her intolerance for characters unlike herself is rather unbecoming.

Perhaps this is why Emma Woodhouse and I aren't as close as Elizabeth Bennett and I are wont to be. Emma may be to close to my character at this particular moment in my life. I have been feeling very often that I've granted unfair intolerance towards those around me. Whereas, Elizabeth is wont to trust the word of individuals that aren't necessarily trustworthy. I find that less of an abhorrent flaw. But both heroines are flawed and I find that I might relate to one more than the other depending on my current state of being in life. No matter, both characters are vividly written and both male counterparts are worthy of falling in love with.

Mr. Darcy of "Pride and Prejudice" is honorable and kind. Although he appears cold at first, he truly is kind hearted. Circumstances have led him to be more reserved, but when Elizabeth breaks his thick shell, there is no more beautiful a moment than when he confesses his love to her in the parsonage! Ah, and then we have the well meaning Mr. Knightly who is so in love with Emma that he is willing to risk his love for her to make sure that she grows into the woman he knows she is capable of. He places her character above his selfish desires and a beautiful love story unfolds. I must admit that I have far more a soft spot for the friendship developed into romance ("Emma") than I am for the unlikely match between fated lovers ("Pride and Prejudice"). Either way, how can one not fall in love with these leading men!?

All there is left to say is, thank you Jane Austen! Thank you for inviting me into a world so vivid I do not even want for imagination. Thank you for using your words to craft characters who reach the core of my being. Thank you for creating books designed to be timeless. You are a gift to readers and especially a gift to me. I look forward to being lost in your worlds many times over! And special thanks to my mother who was the first to invite me into Elizabeth Bennett's world. Without you I might have missed out on one of life's great joys! And finally, thanks to Aaron for reminding me to search farther into the many worlds of Miss Austen. I feel that I have opened a flood gate of enjoyment for years to come!