H4A Emma

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo
• Leerjaar 4

Today's plan 

1 Introduction to literature

2Emma: an introduction

3 CH 1: discussion questions 

 

You need your notebook - pen 

*Leerdoelen zijn RTTI geformuleerd (in leerlingentaal).

Goals

1 At the end of this class, you will understand the context and some important themes in Emma

*Leerdoelen zijn RTTI geformuleerd (in leerlingentaal).

Early 19th Century Novel

Jane Austen (1775 - 1817)

• Most important novelist of early 19th century
• Elegant + witty studies of young women
  
• Focusing on love and common sense

Most important novels:

• Sense and Sensibilty / Emma /  Persuasion 
  
• Pride and Prejudice
  

• Born in Steventon, daughter of an Anglican priest
• Good education (not customary for girls)
• Happy childhood, reading was encouraged (Fielding and Richardson)
• Started writing when she was 15
• Never married, isolated from other authors

Emma's character 

1.  Emma is handsome, clever and rich. She grew up in a happy, stable and protected environment. However, she can "think a little too well of herself." 

Continue reading!

EMMA

JANE AUSTEN 

What makes Jane Austen such a popular writer?

"I am going to take a heroine who no one but myself will much like" - Jane Austen about Emma

Miss Taylor is Emma's governess. What is a governess?

acquaintance , suppertable, boarding school

Chapter 1 

Discussion questions 

1. How would you describe the character of Emma?  In terms of personality/circumstances?
2. "How was she to bear the change?...... Miss Taylor in the house"  What is meant by these lines and what does it tell you about marriage in this era? 
3.  How is "it feels like it is only written for you" reflected in the conversation between Emma and her father? 

Write down your answers as I will be randomly asking  someone to explain!  

Emma & Ms. Taylor or Mrs Weston

2 They had a very close relationship which was almost sister-like. However, Emma realizes that she will not see her friend so often anymore and that her friend's marriage excludes her from understanding what marriage is like. Her father being a man will not understand what it is like to be a woman and what she is going through. Marriage is a big deal and can create a rupture between female friendships. 

It feels like it is only written for you

3  Emma and her father have a warm relationship. He is very kind and easy going, but also selfish. He does not like it when his daughter married and moved away from the house. In their conversation about Miss Taylor, Emma and her father disagree. Emma tells her father that it is excellent that Miss Taylor married and moved out. She does not express her previous feelings of loneliness. We know something that her father does not. 

Chapter 2 & 3 

Chapter 2 & 3

We are introduced to multiple characters: their personality, history, what they look like etc. 

•  Who is Mr. Weston and what do we find out about his history in chapter 2? 
• Who is Harriet Smith and what does Emma think of her? Why do you think Emma has a specific plan for her?
•  What is Miss Taylor’s attitude about the separation of her and Emma?