Emma by Jane Austen

“It's such a happiness when good people get together.”
--Jane Austen, Emma

The first line of the novel is: “ 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. ” The novel opens after the marriage of her governess where Emma boldly declares that she is the one that set them up. This sets the stage for Emma to fancy herself a matchmaker within her town of Highbury. Because we do not leave the principal town, as we have done in other Austen novels, Austen is allowing us a glimpse into how intimate families of a community act with one another when living in a small country town. Emma is steadfast in what she thinks she wants from life, but as the novel progresses, we see Emma's change of heart and mind and we see her grow up a little, too.

When referring to Emma, Austen said, "I am going to make a heroine whom no one but myself will much like." Time has shown that has not been the case. It is a novel filled with lightheartedness, misunderstandings, and mischief making, which leads to comical scenes but also stresses why it is never good to make assumptions.

Please do not distress poor Mr. Woodhouse and have your RSVP updated by Wednesday August 13th!

We will also announce our next book at this meeting.

Looking forward to seeing you there!