Classic Thursday: Emma by Jane Austen

CLASSIC THURSDAY

a feature in which I review classics. 

Please keep in mind that these are my opinions on the books. All these works are distinguished.

Emma

by Jane Austen

 'I never have been in love; it is not my way, or my nature; and I do not think I ever shall.'

Beautiful, clever, rich - and single - Emma Woodhouse is perfectly content with her life and sees no need for either love or marriage. Nothing, however, delights her more than interfering in the romantic lives of others. But when she ignores the warnings of her good friend Mr Knightley and attempts to arrange a suitable match for her protegee Harriet Smith, her carefully laid plans soon unravel and have consequences that she never expected. With its imperfect but charming heroine and its witty and subtle exploration of relationships, Emma is often seen as Jane Austen's most flawless work.

Source: Library

My Thoughts:

I have a love/hate relationship with Jane Austen. I just don't understand why these books are considered classics. I'm pretty sure in the modern day they would be classified as chick lit.I think that maybe at that time maybe nobody wrote chick lit, so if Jane Austen introduced the concept of chick lit to the world I think we owe her a huge thank you.The world would seen like a very sad place without Sophie Kinsella.

Emma is a gossip and a busybody. She likes fixing people up and basically sticks her nose in places nobody wants her to. Some people might find her to be irritating but I didn't. I think the fact that I remembered that she had nothing else to do helped me keep my cool. It's not like they had television or the internet to pass the time at that time.

Knightley was a character that fascinated me. Austen's men always have an allure that cannot be ignored. Knightley is a practical man and that is why his and Emma's friendship is fascinating and amusing in some ways. If I reread this book it will be for Knightley and the lovely language.

There are times when I don't understand why everyone including Knightley is so captivated by Emma but then Austen gives a peak into the strength that she possesses .I think Emma's rebellious and strong character makes her stand out from those around her.

Overall, this is a book that seems less like a classic and more like a chick-lit with old fashioned people and better language.

My Rating:

3/5

Favorite Quotes:

"I cannot make speeches, Emma...If I loved you less, I might be able to talk about it more. But you know what I am. You hear nothing but truth from me. I have blamed you, and lectured you, and you have borne it as no other woman in England would have borne it."

"I lay it down as a general rule, Harriet, that if a woman doubts as to whether she should accept a man or not, she certainly ought to refuse him."