Emma

[Virginia Claire T]

Perhaps Jane Austen's most controversial heroine. What does everyone think of her?
Is she a snob who looks down on those around her? Or is she a well meaning but bored young lady who just needs something to do?

[stella]

Originally Posted by Virginia Claire T

Perhaps Jane Austen's most controversial heroine. What does everyone think of her?
Is she a snob who looks down on those around her? Or is she a well meaning but bored young lady who just needs something to do?

--No at least in my opinion she's not and that is reflected even in the adaptations but I agree on the boredom might explain Emma's character. Oddly enough it never says in the books whether Emma Woodhouse was studious at all. As finished her matchmaking on Taylor now faced with a new conquest of matching her new friend.
Joan Austen Leigh covered more information on Miss Harriet in her books I found really interesting followup certainly loyal to Jane in every respect and enjoyed it immensely.
These books are covered in the family section of the forum just so anyone else reading this will know. I am not sure she is that controversial really I think Lady Susan although unfinished was certainly more controversial than Emma Woodhouse. A shame Jane never finished it Lady Susan was scandalous by any means as she was a seducer of men. Jane Fairfax doesn't even come close even by Emma's standards.
A snob perhaps, but I think along the lines of the newer adaptation that Emma Woodhouse was a snob by her own isolation never travelled outside her front door or much beyond her own circle which as Knightley pointed out her ignorance.