Austen’s use of free indirect discourse as a subjective narration technique to elicit Emma’s thoughts is designed to close the distance between reader and character.
As soon as she returns from Box Hill, Emma embarks upon an introspection and critical evaluation process of herself and those around her. She analyzes their actions as well as their motivations.
What is Emma Arguing?
When discussing controversial topics, it’s essential to clearly state what your stance is on the matter at hand and to define your debate topic as precisely as possible. This will enable productive and rational-critical disagreement. For example, Emma may point out Winston has lied about Chester’s health before, only for Winston to respond by accusing her of hurting his feelings with criticism; such behavior violates both argumentum ad hominem (attacking people rather than their positions) and argumentum ad baculum (ad hoc reasoning).
As a rule, it’s wise to avoid making unverifiable claims as evidence for your arguments. Emma’s claim that small dogs are beneficial because many bunnies are fluffy is an example of an unverifiable assertion made based on irrelevant data and should not be relied upon.
Emma’s Strategy
Emma and Principal Figgins’ dispute raises important issues of freedom of speech and respect for authority in schools. Emma believes she should have the freedom to express her opinions without fear of punishment; on the other hand, Figgins felt that Emma crossed a line by criticizing his reputation and calling him a “drooling idiot.” Additionally, this incident highlights the necessity of effective conflict resolution strategies within educational environments.
Emma Argue with Principal Figgins quickly gained confidence during her time working with her coach, learning how to communicate her thoughts clearly and listen carefully when listening to others’ viewpoints. This helped improve both her grades and build up her sense of self.
Reenacting Emma and Knightley’s debate, we witness some impressive debating skills from both characters. Their quick changes of topic demonstrate their strategic thinking – something Regency women were discouraged from showing! Furthermore, this scene also illustrates that genuine feelings can overcome selfish desires – a key theme throughout Austen’s novels.
Emma’s Tactics
Professor Hinckley is giving presentations throughout the week to encourage students to form deeper connections to Emma. At Thursday’s session, she explored games and riddles found within Austen’s novels.
Emma shows her brilliant debating skills through quick maneuvering and unscrupulous manipulation. She shifts the argument away from Knightley’s refusal, where her footing may not be secure, onto her own line and back again quickly before calculating her strategy with the watchful gaze of Knightley watching closely.
It all boils down to social status and gender roles. Knightley values Robert Martin for his internal qualities while Emma finds Harriet Smith more deserving due to her higher connections.
Emma’s Conclusion
Austen’s Emma opens by portraying Emma as someone whom no one else will much care for; Autumn de Wilde seems to understand this aspect as well, playing within what Devoney Looser calls the “Jane Austen camp.”
Regarding Knightley and Emma’s brilliant argument scene, their vocal dynamics flitting between aplomb to panic and revulsion display Emma’s skilled debating skills as she underlines traditional views about expectations for women in marriage, while simultaneously disparaging Martin family life and home.
Taylor-Joy brings an air of unashamed haughtiness to Emma, be it opening the carriage with one finger for Miss Bates or looking disinterested as Mrs Elton continues her tales about “poor unfortunate souls” at haberdashers, Taylor-Joy channels various pop culture heroines such as Cher from Amy Heckerling’s Clueless or Disney’s queer-coded villain Ursula in The Little Mermaid.