Continuing my project of re-reading some favorite classics,
including among others, Jane Austen, I have recently finished her Persuasion and Emma. Neither one stood out to me when I first read them 20 years
ago. In fact, I barely remembered the plots of both of these novels. On the
second re-read, my much older self definitely preferred Emma.
To me, Emma seems much more relatable and real. She is
vivacious, fiercely loyal to her family and friends, but also young and naive. Her
lack of experience is seen in mistakes she makes about people’s dispositions
and attachments. She thinks she knows what she wants in life (never to marry
and always remain the mistress of Hartfield). She is also sure which male acquaintance
admires her particular friend Harriet Smith. She makes blunder after blunder,
until she finally sees the depth of her own misjudgment and learns to listen to
and understand her own heart.
In contrast, Anne in Persuasion
is older, sadder and wiser than Emma. She’s been deeply disappointed in love
and is thus very cautious about attachments. Anne is level-headed and good, a
true lady in conduct and intentions. I did enjoy Persuasion very much. But of the two, Emma was more to my taste.
Both novels have unforgettable casts of great characters and
Austen’s signature humor and keen observations on manners and morals of the day.
I did like both novels and rated them 5 out of 5 stars. I also watched the BBC
four-part series Emma and highly
recommend it.
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