Excited for the evaluation of Henry Crawford! I have always had a decided partiality for him; for my money, there is nothing like a short charismatic man troubled by his conscience. I fear what that says about my Austenian judgement score.
Love it (not just because Emma is also my favorite, and I deeply agree with the “however” on Mr. Collins). I hadn’t previously thought of Emma undervaluing fortune but yes, that connects so much
Mr. Knightley is correct about most things (the prediction list is absolutely right), but I think there is a small flaw in his overwhelming rightness, in that he undervalues a bit of mystery. In the (justified) rant against Frank, he’s against intrigue and mystery, and for truth and sincerity—the correct Austenian values in general, but it’s his own prior concealment of his real feelings for Emma and ambiguous behavior toward Harriet that make Harriet think he loves her, ultimately making Emma realize her own feelings for him
I respectfully disagree. The fuckability score for Knightly should be slightly lower. His manners and restraint are too good. Not enough ‘bad boy’. Emma seemed almost surprised when she found herself a match for him There was a point when he became fuckable but it was only after she considered others. I didn’t note any particular chemistry reading the story from the beginning. If fact their relationship was rather familial. I think the time it took to evolve is a minus to Knightly. There was a challenge and in P&P, tension. This might be my personal preferences. I can’t imagine Emma choosing any other it was a forgone conclusion.
A defendable position, and honestly, what I was expecting going into this read. But between the “competition” vs. Harriet—created by Emma—and the moment when this misunderstanding nearly prevents her from hearing Knightley out, I think tension exists here, too. Not because Frank is any draw, but because marrying no one has much to recommend it for Emma. Also Darcy is more restrained than Knightley not less!
Darcy is restraining his passion! That is , for me, completely hot. His struggles to forget are an amplifier of passion. Knightly just hangs around being gentlemanly perfect. It makes me think he would understand if Emma never came around to him. I cant imagine him with that inner force of drive that Darcy had. I first read these when I was about 11. This may be what formed my preference. I read both serval times, but only P&P post age 60. Perhaps my view of Knightly as less exciting would change. Do you suppose your love of Emma affects this? It is a much more entertaining story overall. I prefer it in most ways, readability, drama, etc, Yet I consider Pride and Prejudice her masterwork. Either way It’s subjective and these articles are amazing.
Maybe re: age! While I preferred Emma as a novel at 10 and 18 and 39, I think I was hotter for Darcy in my youth; my admiration of Knightley only grows.
I enjoy reading these Austen math posts so much! I just finished reading Sense & Sensibility for the first time today, and this post led me to realize just how much more I really do love Emma. it’s just such an achievement of characters & juicy plot & romance!
To be honest my prediction was based on your own revealed preference for the novel, not on my own evaluation of Knightley. I would definitely not have given him a 6 in fuckability, but maybe that's because I'm a man.
I will probably be in the minority here but I found zero male characters fuckable in Emma. I have always felt like the match was forced so Emma could learn her lesson. They just don't go together for me. Even with my first visual of him being the delicious Jeremy Northam, back in the day. Ah, well. Still a fun read!
Frank Churchill was deceitful and too familiar right away. No substance. Knightley has too much substance and is too critical. Martin is sweet but bland. Elton is a shallow dandy. Slim pickings! Maybe I'll set my cap Mr. Weston! He's got a tragic backstory, is a self-made man of good character who won the heart of Emma's favorite person, and is sociable and optimistic and fun. 😀
Fair enough…excepting Knightley, for whom I will hold my ground! I remembered him being more critical than I actually found him this read—and where he was it was so justified and professorially hot.
Excited for the evaluation of Henry Crawford! I have always had a decided partiality for him; for my money, there is nothing like a short charismatic man troubled by his conscience. I fear what that says about my Austenian judgement score.
This is a very funny comment, thank you. I will do my best to analyze him justly!
Very much enjoying these roundups of the characters, and the whole formulation of Austen Math. Thank you!
Thanks for reading!
Love it (not just because Emma is also my favorite, and I deeply agree with the “however” on Mr. Collins). I hadn’t previously thought of Emma undervaluing fortune but yes, that connects so much
Mr. Knightley is correct about most things (the prediction list is absolutely right), but I think there is a small flaw in his overwhelming rightness, in that he undervalues a bit of mystery. In the (justified) rant against Frank, he’s against intrigue and mystery, and for truth and sincerity—the correct Austenian values in general, but it’s his own prior concealment of his real feelings for Emma and ambiguous behavior toward Harriet that make Harriet think he loves her, ultimately making Emma realize her own feelings for him
Oooh is restraint a lie? A question for the ages.
I respectfully disagree. The fuckability score for Knightly should be slightly lower. His manners and restraint are too good. Not enough ‘bad boy’. Emma seemed almost surprised when she found herself a match for him There was a point when he became fuckable but it was only after she considered others. I didn’t note any particular chemistry reading the story from the beginning. If fact their relationship was rather familial. I think the time it took to evolve is a minus to Knightly. There was a challenge and in P&P, tension. This might be my personal preferences. I can’t imagine Emma choosing any other it was a forgone conclusion.
A defendable position, and honestly, what I was expecting going into this read. But between the “competition” vs. Harriet—created by Emma—and the moment when this misunderstanding nearly prevents her from hearing Knightley out, I think tension exists here, too. Not because Frank is any draw, but because marrying no one has much to recommend it for Emma. Also Darcy is more restrained than Knightley not less!
Darcy is restraining his passion! That is , for me, completely hot. His struggles to forget are an amplifier of passion. Knightly just hangs around being gentlemanly perfect. It makes me think he would understand if Emma never came around to him. I cant imagine him with that inner force of drive that Darcy had. I first read these when I was about 11. This may be what formed my preference. I read both serval times, but only P&P post age 60. Perhaps my view of Knightly as less exciting would change. Do you suppose your love of Emma affects this? It is a much more entertaining story overall. I prefer it in most ways, readability, drama, etc, Yet I consider Pride and Prejudice her masterwork. Either way It’s subjective and these articles are amazing.
Maybe re: age! While I preferred Emma as a novel at 10 and 18 and 39, I think I was hotter for Darcy in my youth; my admiration of Knightley only grows.
I enjoy reading these Austen math posts so much! I just finished reading Sense & Sensibility for the first time today, and this post led me to realize just how much more I really do love Emma. it’s just such an achievement of characters & juicy plot & romance!
Emma is for sure more impressive but I still love S&S too! Thanks for reading
Here is my bragging moment.
To be honest my prediction was based on your own revealed preference for the novel, not on my own evaluation of Knightley. I would definitely not have given him a 6 in fuckability, but maybe that's because I'm a man.
Gallant of you to confess, but for the record I have made every effort not to let my affection for the novel impact my analysis of the characters!
Regardless of what score you give Edmund in Mansfield Park, I will always consider him to be the absolute worst excuse for an Austen hero. Ugh!
I will endeavor to be fair!
He doesn't deserve your fairness, he deserves to be smacked about the head with a rubber chicken
Gotta admire your passion & talent for devising humorous punishment
I will probably be in the minority here but I found zero male characters fuckable in Emma. I have always felt like the match was forced so Emma could learn her lesson. They just don't go together for me. Even with my first visual of him being the delicious Jeremy Northam, back in the day. Ah, well. Still a fun read!
Zero! Not even Frank Churchill?
Frank Churchill was deceitful and too familiar right away. No substance. Knightley has too much substance and is too critical. Martin is sweet but bland. Elton is a shallow dandy. Slim pickings! Maybe I'll set my cap Mr. Weston! He's got a tragic backstory, is a self-made man of good character who won the heart of Emma's favorite person, and is sociable and optimistic and fun. 😀
Fair enough…excepting Knightley, for whom I will hold my ground! I remembered him being more critical than I actually found him this read—and where he was it was so justified and professorially hot.
I can appreciate professorially hot!