Monday, February 6, 2012

The novel "Emma" is one of sophistication and poise. The composition of the novel parallels the main character, Emma Woodhouse. As Jane Austen sets the stage, she introduces the central characters through the eyes of the town people in regards to class, wealth, significance and relevance. The development of Emma is essential to not only the understanding of the motives behind behavior but also the understanding of societal rules and expectancies. Emma's main interest is playing match-maker among the people of the town. She has set up various couples and is determined to continue with her streak. Some begin to consider her actions invasive and encourage her to work on herself by focusing on finding a man to we'd herself. This is just the beginning of what seems to be the story of control changing to the uncontrollable spiral of consequences following inconsiderate actions. In time, we all come to meet "the controller." This person tends to stick themselves in everyone else's business. It is inevitable. We will encounter someone like this at one point or another. What is important to remember is how to deal with these people. Calm respect yet strong confidence is the best weapon to fight the person who believes they know best for you. Also, we must try not to become this person. Itis one thing to care for and look out for someone yet it is a completely different situation once one believes they know someone better than they know themselves. The policy I live by is, "Love everyone. Care for all. Take responsibility for thyself."

7 comments:

  1. I really like the moral you drew out from this book! I completely agree that we can not allow anyone to intrude upon any personal circumstance that we may encounter. We are our own: One mind, one body, one soul.

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    1. -David Lim, How Wings

      (argh! I keep forgetting to put this!)

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  2. I like the depth of detail that you get into when describing Emma and her characteristics. Good job!
    -Jonathan Solomon, Team Surreal

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  3. I really enjoy Jane Austen's work, and I was curious about this novel. Emma seems to be so caught up in others, that she forgets about herself (probably something we can all relate to at one time or another). I am curious to see how the plot plays out. Excellent synopsis.

    -A. Pruett, Team Surreal

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  4. I too think we need to be our own person. We need to stand up for ourselves because we obviously feel like we know what is right for us. But I'm curious to know what people think about on this issue when it comes to parents. I mean after all they are usually want to know what we are up to. They want to know what is going on with us. How do you handle that situation? Do you just tell them to mind their own business? Because in that cause you are there business, you are there child. It is their job to protect you. It is easy for us to shrug of someone who is on the outside, but what happens when the person is in your family? Just another perspective to consider.
    -Melanie

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  5. I really liked your post , I look forward to possibly being able to read this book.
    -Rachel V.

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  6. "Gasp! A moral relativst, he can do anything!"

    Jokes aside, would a world view of hating everyone and loving everyone have any significant differences at all? From my non-experiences the most typical thing for someone to do is nothing, so it would require inordinary circumstances for something to happen, thus, if the norm were love, only more and less would cause action, same for dislike.

    Though I suppose one will argue, as opposed to one could argue, that loving everyone means the person doing the loving is a more moral and uptight character than the one that hates everyone. Since there is no higher incidence of hypocrisy in those who would profess good behavior than among those who would not.

    The internet needs a sarcasm font badly.

    K. Lin

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