In Emma and the Servants by Lisa Hopkins, she said that out of all of Jane Austen heroines Emma âis the only one whose thoughts are not fixed on matrimony virtually from the outset of the novel.âÂ
This quote made me think about the different Jane Austen heroines from her six major novels, which ones are my favorite, and why.
I love Elizabeth Bennet the most not only because Pride and Prejudice is my favorite novel, but because of her independence and her laughing spirit. Also she rejects a man like Mr. Darcy, at least the first time he proposed, which shows an enormous strength of character.Â
I like Miss Dashwoodâs ability to be a strength and a backbone to her family in their time of need. I admire her for not giving up on her love even when her younger sister was ridiculing it.Â
Many people do not like Fanny Price because she seems a little meeker but I think that she is just a different kind of protagonist, but one which I still admire. She takes her situation of mot being equal to those around her and she still thrives. She stands up for herself when she decides that she does not want to marry Henry Crawford and in the end she still gets her love.
My second favorite novel but not my favorite protagonist. Donât get me wrong. I love how she is a different kind of protagonist from the younger completely confident type, but I canât love her because she was so easily persuaded when she was younger to let go of her love. She makes up for it in my eyes though by not letting him go after they are reunitedÂ
For me, even though I admire Catherineâs healthy imagination, she just seems so young and a little ignorant.
I still cannot get over my aversion to Emma. She is too âperfectâ. Rich and beautiful she thinks that she is entitled to meddling in everyoneâs lives. I think that she still has a lot of growing to do as a character, but I am appeased by the fact that she will have Mr. Knightley by her side to continue her growth in character.
I love how each of Jane Austenâs heroines are unique and have their own personality. I feel like it is the mark of an amazing author to be able to write so many great novels with different plots and protagonists.Â
Hopkins, Lisa. âEmma and the Servants.â Persuasion On-Line Occasional Papers, NO.3 (Fall 1999). Web. 10 December 2016.