We’re awkwardly aware of the age gap between Mr Knightley and Emma – 16 years makes us uncomfortable. It gets worse when Harriet develops a crush, a full 20 years, making Mr Knightley more eligible to be her father than her husband. His companions are often younger; his brother and sister in law, both Mr and Mrs Elton, Robert Martin, and Mrs Weston may be younger than him also. Exceptions are Mr Woodhouse, Mr Weston and Miss Bates who have elements of childishness in their characters. Mr Knightley might be the only real adult in Highbury.
In chapter 41 it feels like Mr Knightley is sitting at the kids table “placed as to see them all”, he witnesses Emma and Frank’s games, morphing into a disappointed parent (a role he often slides into with Emma) observing their treatment of Jane. He suspects Frank of “double dealing”, of an “inclination to trifle with Jane Fairfax.” Emma is too caught up in Frank’s attention to herself and her schemes of “making him over to Harriet” to observe clearly. Mr Knightley’s senses have been sharpened by his jealousy of Frank.
The image is from Taylor Swift’s music video I Bet You Think About Me, it looks as though she’s telling the children to behave but, if you’ve seen the video, she’s there to corrupt them, clearly indicated by her bright red dress in comparison to the pure white of the children’s dresses (almost copies of each other).
You’re welcome to book a time to discuss Austen with me
#taylorswift #mrknightley #emma #janeausten