Emma Matures and Looses Confidence
~Blog
Post #3~
Topic
B
May
1, 2015
By: Shanon Murphy
In
the beginning of the book, Emma Woodhouse is a very confident and conceited
girl. She does not see her own flaws and brags about her accomplishments and
success, especially with matchmaking. As Emma goes through many new experiences
throughout the book, her flaws and failures start to become more noticeable to
herself. She no longer sees herself on top of the social ladder, and this
realization causes Emma to lose confidence. After Emma fails to bring Mr. Elton
and Harriet together, she realizes she is not perfect and matures from this
understanding.
Emma’s
failure to see Mr. Elton’s love for her brings about a major change in herself.
After realizing “it [is] foolish, it [is] wrong, to take so active a part in
bringing any two people together,” Emma gives up her beloved hobby of
matchmaking (122). Emma does not want to continue this hobby she once loved,
because she fails at it and does not want to be a failure. Emma is so used to
success that she cannot bear to continue on with something that might cause her
to fail. Emma’s confidence and personality is affected by this decision. Before
telling Harriet the bad news about her defect in bringing her and Mr. Elton
together, Emma is nervous and scared as to how Harriet will react. This shows
Emma’s change in outlook of Harriet, as before Emma would have been fine
telling Harriet some bad news. After Harriet responds maturely to the news,
Emma sees her as the “superior creature” between the two of them (127). Harriet,
in Emma’s eyes, goes up in social status, and Emma is a bit intimated by her.
She is embarrassed of her failure but is impressed by Harriet’s strong and
mature response.
A
failure noticeable by others brings Emma’s confidence down and changes her
outlook on herself and her life. She finally matures and notices that she is not perfect
and understands some of the remarks previously made by Mr. Knightley about her
flaws. Emma regrets that she was not able to see Mr. Elton’s feelings for her,
and this causes her to give up something she used to take great pride in,
matchmaking.
Shanon, I agree with everything you said about Emma losing her confidence throughout the book. Near the beginning of the book, Emma is seen as superior to everyone else around her, even Harriet. As the story goes on, however, Harriet gains her social status in Hartfield and Emma feels intimidated by her. I found it very interesting how you touched on how Emma stopped matchmaking because of her failures. I think you really explained how Emma is losing her confidence, since the book doesn't really explain this thoroughly. You made very good comparisons and really made me understand how stupid Emma feels after she failed to set up Mr. Elton and Harriet. Great job!
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