Thursday, February 25, 2010

Emma Woodhouse


Emma
by Jane Austen


Per wikipedia:

Emma the book - is a comic novel about the perils of misconstrued romance. The novel was first published in December 1815. As in her other novels, Austen explores the concerns and difficulties of genteel women living in Georgian-Regency England; she also creates a lively 'comedy of manners' among her characters.

Before she began the novel, Austen wrote, "I am going to take a heroine whom no-one but myself will much like." In the very first sentence she introduces the title character as "Emma Woodhouse, handsome, clever, and rich." Emma, however, is also rather spoiled; she greatly overestimates her own matchmaking abilities; and she is blind to the dangers of meddling in other people's lives and is often mistaken about the meanings of others' actions.

Emma the main character - the protagonist of the story, is a beautiful, high-spirited, intelligent, and 'slightly' spoiled young woman of 21. Her mother died when she was very young, and she has been mistress of the house ever since, certainly since her older sister got married. While she is in many ways mature for her age, Emma makes some serious mistakes, mainly due to her conviction that she is always right and her lack of real world experience. Although she has vowed she will never ever marry, she delights in making matches for others. She seems unable to fall in love, until jealousy makes her realize that she has loved Mr Knightley all along.

Emma in film:

1948 - Judy Campbell


1972 - Doran Godwin


1995 - Alicia Silverstone (YA version)


1996 - Gwyneth Paltrow


1996 - Kate Beckinsale


2009 - Romola Garai


2010 - Sonam Kapoor (Bollywood Version)


Read Emma online (free)

Hear Emma online (free)

* image source Emma

10 comments:

  1. There is a bollywood version of Emma? huh?

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  2. It's funny how Austenites respond to Jane's predictions regarding Emma. Some take it as leave to despise the heroine while others see it as a reflection of their good taste that they embrace her. I fall into the latter category.

    I would love to get my hands on a copy of that 1948 adaptation.

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  3. You might have noticed I went to an Emma marathon last Sunday! We watched the BBC series with Romola Garai and had fun ;)

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  4. There is a BOLLYWOOD Emma? Eeek, I don't think I am ok with that at all!

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  5. I have never known there was an 1948 version of Emma!! Wow! Something new to track down!

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  6. I can't wait to see the Bollywood version!

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  7. She changes her hair colour all the time!?
    Silly movie directors.
    LOL
    ;o)

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  8. I think I've missed out one something, I've only seen Gwyneth Paltrow as Emma. Or.. hmm I think I've seen Clueless but I don't remember much of it.

    Great post!

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  9. There is also a 1960 version with Diana Fairfax according to IMDB. I going to be trying to track that down. Can't wait to try the bollywood version too!

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