Revamping Relationships
-Blog Post #1-
Topic D
April 17, 2015
By Emily Edicola
An important motif I have seen developing during the beginning of the book is that the author has really emphasized the changes that are taking place- foreshadowing events that are soon to happen. An example of this is the change in the relationship between Miss Taylor and Emma. Their relationship is important because she serves as a mother figure to Emma. Even though she is her governess, they are so close that Emma refers to her as a sister-like figure. Conflicts arise when Miss Taylor marries Mr. Weston because "sorrow came" for Emma who does not want to see the most important woman in her life leave her (3). She does not know how she will "bear the change" because even though Miss Taylor is not going far, it will not be the same as it was before (4). She is so used to having Miss Taylor there to lean on that this change is a hard transition for her. When talking about the wedding with Mr. Knightley, Emma is "divided between tears and smiles" (9). She wants to be happy for Miss Taylor's marriage and newfound happiness, but she also feels the overwhelming sadness that comes with the change that will happen regardless of her feelings. This change ends up working out for the best because Emma is able to meet Harriet Smith, whom she "had long felt an interest in" (20). She finds Harriet intriguing and decides that she will "improve her" by becoming her friend and in essence making her popular (21). Her growing distance with Miss Taylor allows her to open up to the outside world more and she decides to befriend Harriet as a result. This motif of change, in Emma's case, shows her desire for attention in her life. The changes that occur in the beginning of are extremely highlighted to foreshadow what is going to happen later on in the novel as well as provide a bit of background knowledge.
Emily, I agree with your evidence on how Miss Taylor was a mother figure to Emma because she had lost her own mother as a young age. Although, Miss Taylor becomes more distant when she marries and leaves Emma almost feeling alone because her sister had married and moved to London and her father “was no companion for her” (5). This is a very hard transition for Emma and especially for her father because he is not good with change at all. Also, I like how you brought up the wedding and how it was bittersweet for Emma but it did allow her to meet Harriet Smith. This allows for Emma to grow another relationship with someone new and cope with Miss Taylor moving into the next chapter of her life.
ReplyDeleteEmily, I am going to give you a 23.5 out of 25. You demonstrated the fact that you read and understood what you read, but there was some summarizing. Your use of quotes was great, and you clearly expressed your thoughts before the deadline. In the future, synthesize a little more. Great work!
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