I remembered Jane and Frank ending up together, but I didn't recall that they had a secret engagement from before they both came to Highbury. It surprised me to realize that the whole time Frank gossiped about Jane and Mr. Dixon and made fun of her to Emma was just a clever ruse to cover up his true feelings, to keep their secret, well, secret. A very clever move. You even fooled the reader, Frank.
Emma became more likable as the chapters went on. Jane Austen is quoted as saying "I am going to take a heroine whom nobody myself will like much" about Emma. How right you were, Miss Austen. I truly didn't like Emma through the first half of the novel, which is perhaps why the first volume was so torturous to get through, but now that I have read the entire book, I find her quite endearing. One can attribute her behavior in the beginning of the novel to how she was brought up, but she consciously changes herself, and for that I admire her.
And with that, I am finally finished with Emma. The spine is now thoroughly broken in, and I can put it back on the shelf feeling contented and accomplished.
On a related note, I am watching BBC's 2009 adaptation of Emma now that I've read it. I'm enjoying it so far. All of the characters are spot on, and the use of exact lines from the book makes me smile.
Sense and Sensibility should be started sometime today.
Doesn't it feel good to finally get through that book that has taunted you unfinished for years!
ReplyDeleteI spent a good part of the last couple of days catching up on my reading, and I also just finished, but missed out on commenting on some of the other posts so I hope I'm not too late :P
ReplyDeleteLate thought here on Frank and Jane: I think that they will be quite happy together. I think they've gone through a lot, and my understanding of Frank's reaction to her ending the engagement convinces me that he really does love her and he isn't just saying pretty things.
One of my favorite quotes from Jane Austen is "If I loved you less, I might be able to talk about it more." That's such a guy-ish problem, but Knightley realizes it and states it so beautifully.
And I almost like Emma now!
KatySue- Oh my goodness, yes it does!
ReplyDeleteNatalie- It's never too late; you can go back and comment all you like!
I think Frank and Jane deserve each other very much as well. I agree that with Frank's realization that he really loves her and vice versa. I don't think he truly realized that he was leading Emma on either, which makes him completely redeemed to me.
I almost like Emma now, too! I think there might be some re-ranking once I get through the other novels again. Which are you reading next?
Well, Sense and Sensibility is my favorite, and I might as well just follow along with you and read the one that I like the most after the one I like the least. I would like to comment more, and I think that if I keep up that will be easier :P
ReplyDelete