Essays: choose two

After having viewed one of the films in its entirety (see previous blog with links),
choose two of the following questions and write two two-page essay on this (600-800 words).
Mention which film you have seen (mention the year it was made) and refer to concrete scenes as examples. Compare and contrast with the film. Make sure you have a thesis statement and topic sentences for each paragraph. Be creative and have fun with this.


1. Analyze the casting of Emma. How closely does she suit your ideas of Austen's Emma? Is she characterised as more "handsome" or more "clever"? Is she snobbish? Is her kindness to her father and the poor realised? How is she made likeable in spite of her faults? Do you like the character? Why or why not?

2. How is class represented in the film? Is Emma's social hierarchy evident? Are the servants and their support of the upper class apparent in the film? Are servants a visible presence? What does the film say about classism?

3. Emma is Austen's most comic novel. How is the comedy played in the film? What characters, dialogue, or events suggest comedy? What is the overall tone of the film? What kinds of comedy - satire, slapstick, irony - are evident?

4. Emma doesn't become aware of her feelings toward Mr. Knightly until she is threatened with losing him. Does the film version give us clues to her feelings earlier than this moment in the novel? Examine the relationship between Emma and Knightly in the film and the novel.

5. Analyze the major scenes from the film comparatively with the novel. What issues or ideas emerge from the scenes? Consider the Christmas Eve party at the Weston's, the strawberry picking at Donwell Abbey, the Box Hill excursion, Knightley's proposal, and the weddings that end the plot. Identify the changes made to the characters, dialogue and events; analyse why these changes were made and the effect of the changes.