Re: SHIP: “Emma”, Twists, and HBP

[templar1112002]

No: HPFGUIDX 136736

Anita Hillin wrote:
> First off, I'm so happy Jane's made an appearance again!  Lo these 
many posts ago, I did a quick and dirty comparison of the romance 
(if you can call it that) between James and Lily in "Snapes Worst 
Memory" to Elizabeth and Darcy in "Pride and Prejudice."  Now, on to 
the first Austen I ever read...
> 
> While I concede you've done an excellent job with your argument, I 
would suggest that we can also use "Emma" to follow the trajectory 
of Harry and Ginny.  Emma takes Mr. Knightly for granted throughout 
much of the book, although she values his opinion and listens to him 
when she refuses to listen to anyone else.  She only realizes her 
own feelings when she hears from Harriet Smith that she cares for 
Knightly and believes him to return the regard.  JEALOUSY is what 
drops the scales from her eyes.  Likewise, Harry values Ginny's 
friendship, and she's able to reach him when no one else can in OOP, 
but it's not until he's faced with the reality that she's kissing 
someone else that his jealousy is aroused and he realizes how he 
feels.
> 
> You argue that Mr. Knightly thinks of Emma as a friend and no more 
prior to her interest in Frank Churchill, but I would argue that he 
has always loved her, but he was a bit diffident about telling her, 
given his relationship with the family and that he's had no signal 
that she returns his love.  This would compare with Ginny's decision 
to step back, since she has no reason to believe Harry cares for 
her, and she'd rather be his friend than ruin their relationship by 
pressing the issue.  
> 
> Good authors purloin whatever works for them, and JKR couldn't 
steal from a better author, IMHO.  Whether your take or mine proves 
to be the case, I think you're onto something with the comparison.


**Marcela now:  The only objection I find with your reasoning here 
is that you're equating Mr.Knightley with Ginny, when in reality and 
according to the way the first five books were written, Hermione is 
this person.  Harry has confided in her more often than in Ginny (as 
a matter of fact Harry still has to confide in Ginny as of HBP!).  
Hermione was the one that stayed by his side for "better or worst", 
a la Mr.Knighley (Mr.K was the one whom made the calls whenever Emma 
misbehaved or was out of line).
I don't honestly think that Ginny can be paralleled with 
Mr.Knightley.

Marcela

>