Suppressed Feelings
~Blog post #2~
Topic C
April 24, 2015
by Emily Edicola
As the story has developed, the character's feelings and true emotions for each other have become more prevalent. This is exactly the case for Emma and Mr. Knightley. Though he has not outwardly said he has feelings for Emma, I predict that the reason he speaks so negatively about her is because he is trying to hide his true feelings for her. During a conversation about Emma and Harriet's friendship between Mr. Knightley and Mrs. Weston, Mr. Knightley hints many times at his possible feelings for Emma. Though he believes that "Emma is spoiled", he also thinks that she is good looking (34). He exclaims that he cannot "deny Emma's being pretty" and admits he loves "to look at her" (35-36). Even though he has his issues with her, he is able to confess that she has her good qualities. Clearly he has not made his feelings towards her open to the world because he is unable to admit his true feelings to even himself. He uses being mean and talking about her unflatteringly to not only hide his feelings but also try to convince himself of them so that he will lose feelings for Emma. He even goes on to declare that he "should like to see Emma in love" (37). He wants the best for her and deep down cares about her even if in the moment he can't admit it.
Emily, I also agree with your prediction. I think he does try to hide his feelings by almost coming off as rude when he speaks about Emma but I think you’re right, his words may seem to be full of hate, but he definitely has something going on that’s more than we what know for right now. He wouldn’t take the time to talk about her so much if he wasn’t interested in her in the slightest bit, and I think that is what gives his feelings away. He constantly complains about how Emma shouldn’t be involved with Harriet, and how her “infatuation” with Harriet “blinds her” (Austen, 56). If he really didn’t care for Emma he wouldn’t be so concerned about her life and what she is doing with Harriet, so therefore I think you’re right when you say he has some sort of feeling for her because he is constantly talking about everything she does.
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