"Emma" by Jane Austen

If you've been reading this blog, you already know that I've been reading (or re-reading, as applicable) all of Jane Austen's novels.  I left "Emma" for the last, and just read it.

There are a lot of ways that you could approach this novel.  I read a critical essay about "Emma" discussing it in terms of anthropological significance and the detailed, realistic portrayal of English country life during the period.  It would be easy for me to start analyzing "Emma" from a feminist perspective (especially regarding Mr. Knightley and Emma's relationship and his role as brother/informal tutor to her before being her acknowledged suitor).  Post-colonialists can have a ball with Austen's works.  I'm not going to dive too much into any of these, but you can click here for some good resources for a critical/academic approach to "Emma".

The thing is, Austen wasn't an academic.  She was smart and observant.  She observed not only life around her, but trends in literature and readership.  In fact, finishing the last of her books led me to notice some of the themes that have carried throughout her books.  They all have that classic Austen feel, and there are definite story and character similarities that carry through all of her works.  A less obvious thread, though, is the theme of reading that goes throughout all of the books.  Stuck into her novels are little discussions on reading and what we read.

In "Emma" there are many moments that embrace books: Emma always means to read more; Harriet recommends books to her friend/suitor; letters that are written, read, re-read and shared.  Austen encourages us--as we read--to consider why we read.  What role does reading play to us individually and as a society?  How do our reading choices both reflect and help to shape us?  In a very post-modern way, Austen inserts a gentle play of books within books and questions the nature of reality for her subject and readers.

I have to admit that I've enjoyed reading all of Austen's novels in a relatively short period, and it was a bit bittersweet to finish the last one.  There's still plenty of Austen fan fiction out there to enjoy though... look forward to "Mr. Darcy, Vampyre" soon.  I checked it out from the library too.