Emma and Quote

Camden Goddard
Upon reading Jane Austin’s novel Emma, I did not find anything particularly funny or striking about the situation on Box Hill between Emma and Ms. Bates. The way Austin portrays the scene comes across as a normal conversation or dialogue in writing. However, when put in visual form in the movie, the perception on the issue changes significantly. The way in which Emma insults Ms. Bates comes quite common in everyday happenings among young people today. In the light of the conversation on Box Hill however, an insult of this sort carries a different meaning in light of the different time. As a woman of lower status, one who tries to find joy in anything to help her forget her underprivileged and inferior state, Ms. Bates takes Emma’s harsh criticism to heart. As seen later in the chapter, Emma receives her fair share of tongue lashing as well. Had Ms. Bates not come from a lower class than Emma, the criticism might not have come across so harsh. Due to her selfish ways, Emma only worsens the already awkward situation in turn, leading to her own demise in the end of the chapter. This scene in Emma relates closely to the quote by Thomas Hobbes. Hobbes writes that people “keep themselves in their own favour by observing the imperfections of other men. And therefore laughter at the defects of others is a sign of pusillanimity.” Emma clearly draws attention to herself by making fun and insulting Ms. Bates. This leads to the others guiding their attention towards Emma. Although those present during the situation at Box Hill did not laugh after the rude comment, Emma’s actions show signs of “pusillanimity.” Emma wanted all of the attention to come to her instead of others, this shows a downfall to her leading readers to think that abides as a selfish person.
Had Jane Austin written Emma as a play write, further explaining the actions of the characters, I think I would have understood the humor better. However, making fun of someone due to their personality is never right in any situation. In watching the movie, I was very disheartened when I saw the reaction of Ms. Bates. Therefore, I did not understand or see the humor in that scene. I was more sympathetic for Ms. Bates instead of finding humor in this scene of the novel.