Reading Log #3

This week, I embarked on a journey down the first 100 pages of another Jane Austen novel.  Emma is by some thought to be Austen’s best novel, and I can see where the idea sparked because this novel mediates from the regularly trodden path of her other works.  The main themes are kept constant, marriage and society; however, the point of view in this story changes from what is normally a lover to someone who is watching love affairs from the outside.  From the get-go it’s obvious that pride and thinking her opinion to never be in the wrong are Emma’s tragic downfalls.  In the first 100 pages, the time bomb is ticking as the reader sees inconsistencies and flaws in Emma’s plan to unite Mr. Elton and Harriet.  Her arrogance and pride blind her from seeing that her “invincible” plan is doomed to fail.  Most of Austen’s novels are told from the point of view of the sensible, reasonable, unflawed character.  Reading Emma has so far shown me the versatility of Austen’s takes on her world.  Reading this novel pushes me toward accomplishing my reading goal of finishing all the Jane Austen novels; I’m excited to continue the journey through the rest of the novel.