How does humor work in Emma? Consider the many speeches made by Miss Bates or Mrs. Elton. What techniques does Austen use to make these characters look foolish. What contradictions, hypocrisies, or absurdities are put in their mouths? To what extent do we judge these characters negatively when we see that they are laughable?
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Nov 1Meet Mother & Daughter Duo. Kathy Rogers & Anne Rogers Kathy Rogers JASNA-MN: How did you hear about JASNAMN? Kathy Rogers: A girlfriend told me about some “strange” people at her work who belonged to a Jane Austen club. I was intrigued. After learning about the details and attending my first meeting, I was hooked. JASNA-MN: How long have you been a JASNA-MN board member and how did you get there? Kathy Rogers: I joined the Board as Treasurer in January 2019. As a recently retired accountant it seemed a natural fit. I have an easy job compared to the rest of the board. I am amazed by the skill and creativity that I see in the other board members. JASNA-MN: What is your favorite thing/moment about being a JASNA-MN board? Kathy Rogers: I just finished the year end financial reporting for the chapter, and it was fun to put my “green eyeshade” on again. I like presenting financial data in a way that helps people make decisions wisely. JASNA-MN: What is your favorite Jane Austen’s book or movies? Kathy Rogers: Well, of course, I love the book and the BBC version of Pride and Prejudice. I also really like Mansfield Park. I know it is not as well regarded as some of the others, but the dialogue is so rich, and the characters are so dense. Mary Crawford is my favorite character in all the books. I have the audio book versions of all the main novels. I have three versions of Pride and Prejudice alone. I listen at night to lull myself to sleep. Over the years, I have probably listened to each book 20 times. Except for key parts (like the first proposal scene in Pride and Prejudice) I find them soothing. JASNA-MN: Tell me a little bit about yourself: hobbies, hidden talent, etc. Kathy Rogers: I am a news junkie (not always a good thing…) I also enjoy history and listen to a lot of books on European, World and Economic History. This is one of the reasons why I like Jane Austen so much. It is comforting sometimes, to take the long view. Anne Rogers – (Kathy Rogers’ daughter) JASNA-MN: How did you hear about JASNAMN?
Anne Rogers: My mom was involved in JASNAMN prior to me. She told me about the group and brought me to the holiday meeting last year - a ton of fun! JASNA-MN: What is your favorite Jane Austen’s book or movies?
Anne Rogers: A bit cliché, but I'm a sucker for Pride and Prejudice, book and series. A strong memory from my childhood is watching and rewatching the 1995 BBC miniseries on VHS (I blame my mom for starting this). I really connected with Jane and love how it portrays the different relationships between the sisters. JASNA-MN: What was your favorite meeting/event so far? Any idea what fun stuff we should do?
Anne Rogers: I really enjoyed the dance meeting - even though I have no rhythm! I would be in favor of any event/lecture around how life was back then (embroidery, etiquette, other topics around the culture). JASNA-MN: How long have you been a member?
Anne Rogers: I'm new! I just attended my first meeting as a member this month. JASNA-MN: Tell me a little bit about yourself: hobbies? hidden talent?
Anne Rogers: I love to craft and sew. My mom and I both created dresses for these meetings. JASNA-MN: Thank you Alicia & Anna for your times! See you at next meeting... *If you are interested to be our next featured member or would like to nominate someone Please email us at jasnamnmarketing@gmail.com
I feel for Miss Bates. She is just on the cusp of gentility. She lives well only by the gracious good will of the community. She has no guile, no ill will, but she does prattle. I think she feels she must be entertaining or risk being forgotten. Austen writes her so well......the hems, the pauses, the change of subjects but always Miss Bates is kind. Which, of course, is why we all recoil when Emma is cruel to her in an offhand manner. But our dear Miss Bates only answers quietly and with much better decorum than Emma showed by stating: "I will try to hold my tongue. I must make myself very disagreeable, or she would not have said such a thing to an old friend.” Very classy response by the mild Miss Bates.
Mrs. Elton descended upon Highbury with all the gloss of an ambitious, pushy and vulgar woman. She is determined to be THE person about whom all things revolve. She is quickly found out by Emma, Mr. Knightly and even Jane Fairfax. She does seem to love Mr Elton even if we, the readers, wonder why since it seems he married her for her 10,000 pounds, but other than that redeeming quality, she is all anyone would avoid in a social situation. Her speech is vulgar, she misquotes others including famous authors and she is convinced she alone can advise anyone on anything.
She is like Mr. Collins in P&P-----she is best read as ridiculous.
I agree Miss Bates is kind, but I wouldn't want to be forced to spend an extended period in her company. She tries soo hard, but you're never going to have a stimulating or even very interesting conversation with her. Mrs Elton is boorish and overbearing and ridiculous. I'd rather spend my time with a good book.
As in all her novels, Jane Austen finds humor in character. As a character-driven writer, she provides three-dimensional portraits that truly pop off the page. Whether it's the arrogant Mrs. Elton or the slightly dippy Miss Bates (or the buffoonish Mr. Collins in P&P or the affable Sir John Middleton in S&S), she nails the character type, portraying a unique foolishness for each of them. But none of them are ever complete fools. She finds the kindness, and vulnerability, in Miss Bates, and the hint of desperation in Mrs. Elton's pushiness.