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"I do not know whether it ought to be so, but certainly silly things do cease to be silly if they are done by sensible people in an impudent way. Wickedness is always wickedness, but folly is not always folly." Emma Woodhouse, Emma, Chapter 26 Â Jane Austen's World: The life and times of England's... Continue Reading →
"Emma," said Mr. Knightley presently, "I have a piece of news for you. You like news -- and I heard an article in my way hither that I think will interest you." "News! Oh! yes, I always like news. What is it? Why do you smile so? Where did you hear it? Mr. Knightly &... Continue Reading →
DISCERN Mr. Elton was only too happy. Harriet listened, and Emma drew in peace. She must allow him to be still frequently coming to look; anything less would certainly have been too little in a lover; and he was ready at the smallest intermission of the pencil, to jump up and see the progress, and... Continue Reading →
VALUABLE "I cannot rate her beauty as you do," said he; "but she is a pretty little creature, and I am inclined to think very well of her disposition. Her character depends upon those she is with; but in good hands she will turn out a valuable woman."Mr. Knightley on Harriet Smith, Emma, Chapter 8... Continue Reading →
VERDURE It was a sweet view -- sweet to the eye and the mind. English verdure, English culture, English comfort, seen under a sun bright, without being oppressive. The Narrator on Abbey-Mill Farm, Emma, Chapter 42 These poetic lines were prefaced by a description of Abbey-Mill Farm, which Emma and her party of family and... Continue Reading →
MEASURE "Ah, my dear, as Perry says, where health is at stake, nothing else should be considered; and if one is to travel, there is not much to chuse between forty miles and an hundred. Better not move at all, better stay in London altogether than travel forty miles to get into a worse air.... Continue Reading →
INSUFFERABLE "Insufferable woman!" was her immediate exclamation. "Worse than I had supposed. Absolutely insufferable! Knightley! I could not have believed it. Knightley! never seen him in her life before, and call him Knightley! and discover that he is a gentleman! A little upstart, vulgar being, with her Mr. E., and her caro sposo, and her... Continue Reading →
IMAGINIST "Oh! to be sure," cried Emma, "it is always incomprehensible to a man that a woman should ever refuse an offer of marriage. A man always imagines a woman to be ready for anybody who asks her." Emma Woodhouse, Emma, Chapter 8 Emma has just told Mr. Knightly that her friend Harriet Smith has... Continue Reading →
ALLOYÂ The real evils indeed of Emma's situation were the power of having rather too much her own way, and a disposition to think a little too well of herself; these were the disadvantages which threatened alloy to her many enjoyments. The danger, however, was at present so unperceived, that they did not by any... Continue Reading →
DOUBLE-DYED (Augusta Elton) "...My brother and sister will be enchanted with this place. People who have extensive grounds themselves are always pleased with any thing in the same style." Emma doubted the truth of this sentiment. She had a great idea that people who had extensive grounds themselves cared very little for the extensive grounds... Continue Reading →
Emma Woodhouse, handsome, clever, and rich, with a comfortable home and happy disposition, seemed to unite some of the best blessings of existence; and had lived nearly twenty-one years in the world with very little to distress or vex her. The Narrator on Emma Woodhouse The opening line of Emma is so honest! Poor Miss... Continue Reading →
