Tension between
Emma and Mr. Woodhouse
~Blog Post
#1~
Topic C
April 17,
2015
By: Shanon
Murphy
In Jane Austen’s Emma, the main character, Emma Woodhouse,
is a very confident, stubborn, and educated young woman. Ever since the loss of
her mother at a young age, Emma lives with her father and governess, Miss
Taylor. After sixteen years with the family, Miss Taylor’s marriage forces her
to move out, which creates tension throughout the household as Emma is left
alone to live with her father, Mr. Woodhouse. In contrast to Emma, Mr.
Woodhouse is a very nervous, doubtful man who is not fond of change. The differences between Emma and Mr. Woodhouse’s personality create conflict in their relationship where
Emma often influences her father.
Marriage is a controversial topic
that is often discussed in the Woodhouse household. Mr. Woodhouse strongly disagrees
with the idea of marriage, while “the greatest amusement in the world” for Emma
is finding matches for people (9). They do not see eye to eye on Miss Taylor’s
decisions pertaining to marriage, and an argument arises over whether they should visit her and her
husband. The influence Emma has over her father is seen in this conversation as
she demands, “we must go and pay our wedding-visit very soon” (6). Emma shows
no respect for her father’s opinions and takes advantage of his inability to “suppose
that other people could feel differently from himself” (5). He is afraid and does not show his authority over
Emma or punish her.
The tension in Emma and her
father’s relationship grows as the time without Miss Taylor passes. Emma is
able to persuade her father on topics he is unsure of. Because she has not been
disciplined much, Emma often challenges her father's authority and tries taking
control in the relationship.
I agree with Shanon's depiction of Emma and Mr. Woodhouse's relationship. In the first couple of pages, the relationship of Emma and Mr. Woodhouse is described with words such as "danger" and "evil." It also talks about how Mr. Woodhouse has been "a valetudinarian all his life" (5). He cares for his friends and family, but only when it effects him. In the example of Miss Taylor's marriage, Mr. Woodhouse doesn't encourage marriage because he doesn't like the change it makes in his life, instead of just being happy for others. Emma disagrees completely and thinks the wedding has "every promise of happiness for her friend" (4). Emma complete disregards her father's selfish opinions and openly shows her feelings.
ReplyDeleteShanon, I would give you a 25/25 for this blog post. I think you got very in to depth on the situation and explained it completely. The blog post really made me understand the story better and feel the relationship between Mr. Wood house and Emma.
ReplyDelete