‘It was badly done’ – to quote Mr Knightley – an ill-judged rendering of Jane Austen’s most illustrious workMost of her readers would agree,I judge, that Jane Austen’s heroines, and even the witty Elizabeth Bennet,do not indulge in hateful or spiteful talk. Of these worthy-mannered, worthy-natured women, and Emma Woodhouse is the most self-confident,even to the point of self-congratulation, and thereby runs a risk, or for her author sees presumptuousness as a fault to which even diffidence is preferable. The turning point of Emma and its most shocking moment is Emma’s slight but stinging gibe at poor, talky, tiresome Miss Bates. Miss Bates says:Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com