Progress on Emma, Part 3

[bunnyboo]

I think Emma is very influenced by Austen's earlier satirical works. In comparison to Northanger Abbey, Emma Woodhouse is somewhat similar to Isabella Thorpe in her guiding and manipulation of a naïve, beautiful acquaintance. Emma's friendship feels more genuine, but the desire to matchmake is still there - Isabella wanted Catherine to marry her brother, after all.

Where they differ is their motives. Isabella's were entirely selfish, a grab at a supposed fortune through their connection with the Morlands, and Emma's are still selfish (born, to me, out of a desire to plan other people's lives because she knows best) but ultimately good-intentioned.

I wonder if this was an intentional return to this character concept - just explored in a different light and more thoroughly. I'll keep an eye out for further comparisons.