Currently I am reading the novel entitled « Emma » by Jane Austen. This novel is set in the early 19th century and tells the story of an adolescent girl named Emma Woodhouse who constantly tries to set up her friends and sees herself as a matchmaker. Although she is not very good at it and has some misplaced confidence in herself her attempts at setting up her friends almost always go wrong. For example in this quotation Emma has just become a bit more self aware after she had said something rude to Miss Bates at their picnic and being scolded by Mr. knightly.
“She was vexed beyond what could have been expressed—almost beyond what she could conceal. Never had she felt so agitated, so mortified, grieved, at any circumstance in her life. She was most forcibly struck. The truth of his representation there was no denying. She felt it at her heart. How could she have been so brutal, so cruel to Miss Bates! How could she have exposed herself to such ill opinion in any one she valued! And how suffer him to leave her without saying one word of gratitude, of concurrence, of common kindness!”
This quotation shows two main parts of this story. Firstly Emma’s growth as she’s realizing how rude she was and is to many people. Secondly, this story shows the way in which wealthier people acted in the early 19th century. Often times people would think the lower class people are all foulmouthed. However, the upper class had much more detrimental comments. This quotation is a great example as the insult Emma has said took Miss Bates a moment to even realize she was being insulted.