Phoenix Magazine June 2021

"Emma": A Lovely, Fun, and Humorous Novel – Erin Sullenberger Emma, published by Penguin Random House, a $9.00 masterpiece was written by Jane Austen.

Consisting of 453 pages, Austen’s work can be valued by many different audiences, which is one of the assets that makes it so superb.

The leading protagonist, Emma Woodhouse, “handsome, clever, and rich, with a comfortable home and happy disposition” is perhaps one of Jane Austen’s most classic yet unique characters. While writing her novel, Austen did not expect many of her readers to adore her unconventional heroine, who possesses many flaws, including social ignorance and arrogance. She reportedly stated, “I’m going to take a heroine whom no one but myself will much like.” However, there is just something so attractive and relatable in Emma’s character that makes it difficult for readers to put the book down. Between Emma’s matchmaking mishaps, laugh-out-loud humor, and romantic twists, Emma is undoubtedly one of Jane Austen’s greatest novels, and it deserves a place on the shelf of the best British classics.

Early in the novel, Emma establishes herself as being forever single, stating that she could never marry anyone and leave her poor father at home by himself. Ironically, though, Emma believes that she is meant to match her friends together in romantic relationships, considering that she had been the reason for her former governess’ marriage to a certain Mr. Weston. Although another protagonist, Mr. Knightley, who is always skeptical about Emma’s plans and beliefs, stiffly warns her to drop her match-making habits and do something practical instead, like reading a book, Emma indulges herself with this new role as Highbury, England’s chief match-maker. Her first romantic blunder comes to pass when she, having befriended the young, single but poor Harriet Smith, attempts to pair her new friend with Mr. Elton, who is undoubtedly “out of Harriet’s league” in all aspects (wealth, appearance, career, etc.) except personality. Throughout the entire ordeal, the reader is nervously overseeing the affair, expecting Emma’s plan to horribly fall through, which it eventually does but in a surprisingly unforeseen manner. Emma, though, who is too vain to see her faults, carries on with these silly schemes, but the end result, although somewhat predictable, brings total satisfaction to the reader.

Not many authors can physically bring a reader to laugh, but Austen masters this technique on multiple occasions when describing the utterly comical cast of characters in Emma. Satire seems to be Austen’s chief tool, for she masterfully intertwines relatable comedy to real-life perceptions of 19th-century British society. Miss Bates, for example, talks so much that in some instances, her dialogue fills up two entire pages! There are lots of people today who know someone who can talk for ages, and Emma’s silent lamentations of Miss Bates’ behavior makes the reader laugh because it’s so relatable. Similarly, Mr. Woodhouse’s ridiculous concern for the welfare of every character makes the reader chuckle. Nobody but Mr. Woodhouse would seriously think that anyone could die from a little draft, but we all do know someone who’s always freaking out about everyone’s health and safety. It’s just nice to know that we’re not alone in our opinions of others ㅡ our good friend Jane Austen felt the same way.

Just like the plots of every other one of Austen’s brilliant top sellers, Emma is furnished with romance around every corner. As noted, Emma is a beautiful, young woman who would be suitable for any lucky bachelor’s desires, but unfortunately, Emma states early on that she does not wish to marry. Luckily for all of the suitors in town, there are other pretty women, such as Miss Fairfax, Miss Taylor, and even Miss Hawkins, to find their fancy. Yet, anyone well-versed in the Austen community knows that Marianne Dashwood eventually found Colonel Brandon while Elizabeth Bennet ultimately decided upon Mr. Darcy, 18