A relationship that has blossomed throughout the story is that of Emma’s and Harriet’s, for they have become very close. What first started as just a fascination that Emma had, is now a reality. They have spent a lot of time together, and now even feel comfortable enough with each other to ask one another for help with personal decisions, which is a long way from where they started just a few chapters ago. I found it quite odd that Harriet actually cared about Emma’s opinion on whether or not she should marry Mr. Martin, but I guess that just shows how close they have really gotten. I feel like this friendship is good for them because it gives them both a new aspect to their routine lives, but at the same time I feel like it’s doomed as well. I say this because, like Mr. Knightley, I think Emma should have no place in making such important decisions for Harriet already, and if Emma takes it upon herself to butt in and control everything Harriet does, Harriet will lose her sense of what she wants and her ability to be happy with the simple things she had before. Mr. Knightley even says that before Emma “chose to turn her into a friend,” Harriet was “as happy as possible” with what she had and would take all she could get with no questions asked (Austen, 58). I think Emma will slowly take that part of Harriet away, but I guess if Harriet doesn’t mind then it should be no problem for the two of them.
Alex, I agree that the relationship between Emma and Harriet is good and beneficial for them both but I also feel that Emma has over stepped her bounds in making important decisions for Harriet, especially the marriage proposal letter. Emma believes that Mr. Martin is “a young farmer, whether on horseback or on foot, is the very last sort of person to raise my curiosity” (26). Basically meaning that Emma feels Harriet is above him in social status and she can do so much better. Emma has no interest in getting to know him for him because all she sees is his social status as being a farmer and nothing more than that. I also agree that if Harriet chooses to listen to Emma and do what she thinks is right then the relationship should work because Harriett is allowing Emma to help make her decisions and such.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Emma should not be making big decisions for Harriet when they barely even know eachother. But I think that she truly wants what is best for her and is thinking of her with the right mindset; However, she isn't really listening to Harriet's feelings, she is just stating her own and convincing Harriet to believe them. When describing Mr. Martin to Harriet, Emma states he is "clownish" and "remarkably plain" (29). She outwardly exclaims she does not like him. Besides these remarks, it is easy to see she is trying to prevent her friend from a life of poverty and thinking about her future when she tries to explain how Mr. Martin has a long life of work before he will become rich. At this time, the norm was having a husband who was prosperous and had a good reputation as something more prestigious than a farmer, so Emma is truly trying to look out for Harriet's future even though she oversteps her boundaries.
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