At least, that is one of the editions I have. I have a tendency to buy Austen books. Even if I already have them. The Ehle/Firth one was the first. It is almost falling apart, as are some of the standalones I have. I have a glorious leather bound one from 1928, though. I suppose that is the one I will pick up if I feel like rereading Emma soon. Which is a distinct possibility now that you have corrupted me. I wasn't going to start another Austen book in a while, precisely because they are so hard to put down.
Your having a 1928 edition brings me to another point - I'm not always sure what are early 19th-century spellings and what are simple misprints. That is, generally I can recognize old spellings, particularly if they are repeated, but there were a few times that I thought maybe it was just a typo. Of course, since I can't recall any examples, I doubt you'll be able to help me much there.
I rather like some of said spellings and turns of phrases, though. If I start typing shew and surprize soon, you'll know where it comes from. 
And while we're at the language: what's with the paraphrases between quotes? That's just weird. Either it's a quote, or it's a paraphrase.
I don't know. I think of that as a dual protagonist-book. The two only make sense in relation to each other.
Hm. Maybe I shall have to reread it. I think I've actually only read the book once (or twice?), and seen the movie a few times, so I may be thinking more of the movie.
But he keeps voicing them first. And he is right, of course. All the time. If you want to look for a guiding voice in the book, that is where I'd look for it. And he, as I recall, puts much less stock in rank than Emma. He says that he would gladly elevate Mr Martin, I think.
That's true.
True. Although I am slightly inured to that having read Dickens. He is, after all, famous for his child brides.
He is? If you say so, you're the expert.
What, for coming up with theories that would've made Jane Austen faint?
Yes.
Aw. You have to admit, though, it would have made the closing chapters more interesting.
I am not sure I agree that it is even the view of the "books". There is a very distinct subtext in much of Austen's writing, which suggests that the whole rank system is not ideal. Have you read Persuasion yet?
No. Nor Northanger Abbey. Since you use both of those in support of your argument, I suppose I'll have to do so before arguing the matter further.
In Emma, this subtext is voiced by Mr Knightly, usually (if I recall correctly -- I'll get back to you when I probably put everything aside to reread it soon. Dammit). In P%P it is present in the rejection of the "engagement" with miss De Burgh (though I will grant you that in that book there is an equally strong counter-current in the unhappy marriage of Mr and Mrs Bennet, although they in turn are outweighed by the horror that is Mr and Mrs Hurst, I think). In Northanger Abbey I'd say it is quite a main theme, actually.
Will have to read that soon, then.
It has been a while since I read it, but I remember analysing it once and I swear I found a subtext which was appealing to me as a modern feminist. I think it may have been the momentary resistance Fanny actually shows in opposing Mr Bertram's plans for her marriage. The heroes always marry less well than they could have. And Miss Bertram is wildly unhappy in her choice.
It's been even longer since I read it, evidently, or at least I remember less of it. Unlike you I have no plans of rereading it, though.
Jane Austen - Emma
- 29/09/2010 06:37:01 PM
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It has been a while since I have read the book, but I am not sure I agree on all counts.
- 29/09/2010 08:17:35 PM
586 Views
All the better, it's so boring when everyone agrees.
- 29/09/2010 09:01:09 PM
602 Views
- 29/09/2010 09:01:09 PM
602 Views
Re: All the better, it's so boring when everyone agrees.
- 29/09/2010 09:39:25 PM
581 Views
- 29/09/2010 09:39:25 PM
581 Views
Okay, fair enough, I'm talking about her view as appears in her books, there might be a difference.
- 29/09/2010 09:48:31 PM
542 Views
Pet peeve, sorry.
- 29/09/2010 10:19:03 PM
568 Views
Re: Pet peeve, sorry.
- 29/09/2010 11:24:21 PM
556 Views
Re: Pet peeve, sorry.
- 29/09/2010 11:32:50 PM
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