"It was a delightful visit; perfect, in being much to short."(Chapter 13)
One of the wonderful things about Austen's writings is that she did not search for funny things, she made truthes and things in everyday life funny. Almost all will relate to the above phrase, because we have all experianced how an extended visit between two parties can quickly go awry. I think that when we view the way that the middle class spend their time, we feel a little less pity.

Did you know that in Regnecy time, a young married couple would spend about 6 months (at the least) traveling all over the country to pay wedding visits? They would literally spend that time traveling from one country mansion to another, visiting... If only it were that simple now. Because Emma focuses on the upper class, the conversations can be irratating and humourous, because they are so unimportant. For example, Mr Woodhouse and Mrs. John Knightley argue on and off througout a chapter, about which of their physicians gave better advice regarding resorts for sea bathing; Mr. Perry or Mr Wingfield. Finally, Mr. John Knightley gets so fed up with their comments, and snaps at his father in law: "I may be allowed, I hope, the use of my judgement as well as Mr Perry. I want his directions no more than his drugs. If Mr Perry can tell me how to convey a wife and five children a distance of an hundred and thirty miles with no greater expense or inconveinence... I should be as willing to prefer Cromer to South End as he could himself." (Chapter 12) This is made funnier by the fact that neither Mr Wingfield nor Mr Perry are present at that time. Indeed, both of those men have no speaking roles in the novel.

The book does not seem funny unless you realize that half the time, Jane is mocking middle class society. It am not sure that she means to mock Emma, per se, because she is sincere in her love and respect for certain characters. Some are portrayed in a very respectful light.

While Emma is displayed in a positive light, it is clear that her heroism will be recognized later, at the end of the novel rather than the beginning. In this respect she is like Catherine Morland, who we will meet futher down the road in Northanger Abbey. They are respectable, but foolish. The only difference is that Emma has money.

As a note about Jane Austen's writing. I did see many run-on sentences in Mansfield Park, but perhaps that is because I was not looking for them. Emma, however, has pleathuras. Look at this one: "But he had fancied her in love with him; that evidently must have been his dependence; and after raving a little about the seeming incongruity of of gentle manners and had a conceited head, Emma was obliged in common honesty to stop and admit that her own behaviour to him had been so complaisant and obliging, so full of courtesy and attention, as (supposing her real motive unperceived) might warrant a man of ordinary observation and delicacy, like Mr Elton, in fancying himself a very decided favourite. " (Chapter 16) That might be the mother of all run-on sentences.

Also, I do not think that I ever realized how large Mr Knightley's estate and fortune were. In fact, they are largely superior to Emma's. As a 19th century commentator might say, "What a desirable match that would be!" :) Anyway, I was surprised when I read this comment: "The landed property of Hartfield certainly was inconsiderable, being but a sort of notch in the Donwell estate."(Chapter 16) Huh...?

I laugh at the whole situation that Emma finds herself in regarding Mr Elton. When John Knightley notices Mr Elton's admiration for her he says, "he seems to have a great deal of good will towards you." (Chapter 13) She, in her ignorance, finds this absurd, and, "she walked on, amusing herself in the consideration of the blunders which often arise from a partial knowledge of circumstances, of the mistakes which people of high pretensions to judgement are forever falling into..." (Chapter 13) Then, when Elton does declare his love, she attributes it to his consuming spirits that evening. Both the Mr. Knightleys had warned her about it before hand, and in retrospect, "There was not denying that those brothers had penetration." (Chapter 16) Those Knightley men always seem to be there. It can be annoying can't. I am sure that we all have the one person in our lives who shows up at the most in oppertune time. As sorrowful as she felt, the narrator comments that, "Youth and natural cheerfulness like Emma's, though under temporary gloom at night, the return of day will hardly fail to bring return of spirits."(Chapter 16) Well, I am sure that she felt so sorry for her actions.

Well, this might have been the longest post I have written yet, so don't expect another one for a while. I HAVE to read, for time is running out.