Friday 31 July 2009

Quote of the Week- Week 67

I have stuck with our faithful friend Emma for this weeks quote as there are an unlimited number of gems that everyone should have the pleasure of enjoying.
This quote is taken from Chapter 5 when Mr Knightley and Mrs Weston are discussing the friendship between Harriet Smith and Emma. Mrs Weston believes it to be a beneficial thing for both Emma and Harriet but Mr Knightley finds the opportunity to comment on Emma's faults.



"Emma has been meaning to read more ever since she was twelve years old. I have seen a great many lists of her drawing up at various times of books that she meant to read regularly through--and very good lists they were--very well chosen and very neatly arranged--sometimes alphabetically and sometimes by some other rule. The list she drew up when only fourteen--I remember thinking it did her judgement so much credit that I preserved it some time; and I dare say she may have made out a very good list now. But I have done with expecting any course of steady reading from Emma. She will never submit to anything requiring industry and patience and a subjection of the fancy to the understanding."

I have to say that I completely adore the last line; its so Emma! He completely 'gets her' with such a descriptive and beautiful set of words.
And this line definitely makes me chuckle as I have to confess, I am a list writer and I have been known in my time to avoid the task at hand by writing a list, clearly describing the actions required to complete the task!

We have tended to favour taking pics from the Kate Beckinsale version of Emma (for TV) so I have chosen a great pic from the Gwyneth Paltrow film version (both 1996 productions).

Pic: Emma and Mr Knightley

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow, Rachel, you really know how to hurt a girl! I stand 'Guilty' as charged! I am a great list writer, and as a matter of fact have one sitting on my desk right now that needs to be accomplished! Boy, that Jane Austen knows how to hit the nail on the head. I think it has something to do with understanding 'human nature'. Sigh, Onward! I wish you luck with your list!

Yrs aff'ly,
Linda the Librarian

Icha said...

Muahahhaha!!!Am also guilty as charged for making a lengthy reading list and hardly finishing all books! What I love about Emma is that she"s the average ordinary girls with flaws, but she continues to learn. Well done!