I hope the reading is going well. By now you have probably noticed that the text is not that easy to read. There are many cultural aspects that you need to be aware of in order to understand what is going on.
First of all, the plot is secondary. You go through it quickly. What is important is the language, the way the writer is writing the story, and whether or not you feel she is an objective narrator or not.
To figure this out you need to try to draw out when you read a sentence:
Who is talking:
1) the narrator (therefore it is neutral and objective, also called "omniscient" or all-knowing)
2) the protagonist (the main character, which in this case is Emma)
3) someone else who is important such as Mr. George Knightley.
Sometimes in this novel it is not clear whose perspective we are getting. Emma is often blinded to the truth about other people. Why is that?
Read the first paragraphs of the book. I will underline what is important to notice. I will highlight in green points from the text and in red put my comments. This is how you need to read the text: with lots of attention at what is being said, by who, and what is the deeper meaning. Sometimes there won't be a deeper meaning, but try to catch when there is. This way we learn how to study a work of literature.
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. (HERE YOU SEE THAT SHE HAS EVERYTHING AND NEVER HAS HAD REAL PROBLEMS AND ALSO THAT SHE IS QUITE YOUNG)
She was the youngest of the two daughters of a most affectionate, indulgent (This word means he spoils her. What consequences are there for her if she is spoiled?)father; and had, in consequence of her sister's marriage, been mistress of his house from a very early period(SHE IS IN CHARGE OF A HOUSEHOLD THAT IS VERY WEALTHY AT A VERY YOUNG AGE). Her mother had died too long ago for her to have more than an indistinct remembrance of her caresses; and her place had been supplied by an excellent woman as governess, who had fallen little short of a mother in affection.
Sixteen years had Miss Taylor been in Mr. Woodhouse's family, less as a governess than a friend, very fond of both daughters, but particularly of Emma. Between them it was more the intimacy of sisters. Even before Miss Taylor had ceased to hold the nominal office of governess, the mildness of her temper had hardly allowed her to impose any restraint; and the shadow of authority being now long passed away, they had been living together as friend and friend very mutually attached, and Emma doing just what she liked; highly esteeming Miss Taylor's judgment, but directed chiefly by her own. (HERE WE SEE HOW SPOILED SHE IS EVEN BY HER GOVERNESS WHO IS SUPPOSED TO TEACH HER AND DISCIPLINE HER. INSTEAD SHE BECOMES HER FRIEND AND LET'S HER DO WHATEVER SHE WANTS AND DOESN'T REALLY STUDY)
The real evils (NOTICE THIS WORD CHOICE: EVILS: THE AUTHOR IS ALREADY TELLING US WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR), 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 (THE OMNISCIENT NARRATOR IS WARNING US THAT EMMA HAS TWO PROBLEMS: 1) SHE DOES WHATEVER SHE WANTS AND 2) SHE IS TOO PROUD/ARROGANT); 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 means rank as misfortunes with her. (WE CAN'T SEE THE DANGERS YET, BUT THEY WILL SURELY COME, WARNS THE NARRATOR)
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