Bishon

 Emma By: Jane Austen Bishon Prushankin March 26 2010

*Historical Background: __Emma__ was written by Jane Austen, who was a world renowned English novelist in the early 1800s. She wrote seven romance novels, all mainly centering around middle class women in the 1800s. Her books have all become classics, almost poking fun at the class system back then. __Emma__ is said to be her most flawless and comical novel. Published in 1815, __Emma__ is still popular today, with multiple film adaptations made.


 * Summary: __Emma__ is the story of a 20 year old woman named Emma Woodhouse, who is very rich, and lives with her father on their estate in the 1800s. Emma enjoys playing matchmaker, and takes sport in meddeling with her friend's relationships. She meets a girl named Harriet, and becomes determined to find her a suitable husband, but things, as aslways, don't go as she planned, especially when her own heart becomes involved, and she falls for her best friend, Mr. Knightly.

1) Clueless - The movie Clueless is the story of a wealthy teenager growing up in 90's LA, who wants to find girlfriends and boyfriends for everyone is her social group, especially the new girl at school, Thi. Clueless is the modern update of Emma, with similar characters and a similar plotline. 2) Hello Dolly - In the musical //Hello Dolly//, Dolly Levi plays matchmaker for the people in her life, and ends up falling in love with someone whom she had already matched. Emma does the same, when she falls in love with Mr. Knightly, who Harriet had developed feelings for. ​ *Character description - Emma Woodhouse is described as a beautiful, blond, slender, woman of twenty, who is charming, elegant, witty, wealthy, smart, manipulative, and good natured. She is extremely privileged, and thinks a little too highly of herself, but she has good intentions and wants to see everyone happy.
 * Two Connections:
 * Setting - The story takes place during the regency period. Emma's estate is called Hartfield, in Highbury, which is in Surrey England. Throughout the story, Emma goes around Highbury, to town, and to her friend's houses, as well as being on her own estate.
 * How to read like a professor - "Now, where have I seen her before?" : In Shakespeare's play, //Much Ado About Nothing//, the charcter Don Pedro plays matchmaker for two other characters. This is like Emma, who schemes to matchmake all of her friends.
 * Recomendation - I would recomend this book to girls, from ages 18 and up, who like romance novels, and don't mind difficult vocabulary and a lengthy yet entertaining plot line. I over all liked __Emma__. It was a little long and slow at times, not to mention the vocabulary was grueling, but the characters are extremely likeable, the story gripping and sweet, and the ending wonderful. Overall I really enjoyed it.