| The Players |
As you may or may not know, Jo (yes, we are on a first name basis...haha) has said on numerous
occasions that Jane Austen is one of her favorite authors.
To provide an exact quote, “Jane Austen is the pinnacle to which all other authors aspire.” Jane
Austen’s Emma is a novel that is particularly special to Rowling and as such may have affected
her writing of the Harry Potter series.
occasions that Jane Austen is one of her favorite authors.
To provide an exact quote, “Jane Austen is the pinnacle to which all other authors aspire.” Jane
Austen’s Emma is a novel that is particularly special to Rowling and as such may have affected
her writing of the Harry Potter series.
| I think her characters are vividly alive, she had a wonderful facility for dialogue, a dry and sometimes scathing sense of humor and she crafted seamless plots with such lightness of touch it appears effortless. And speaking as someone who loves to pull the wool over her readers' eyes, nobody has ever bettered the twist Austen managed in ‘Emma.’ - J.K. Rowling |
| Plot Summary |
| Character Parallels |
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| Under the Influence: Emma |
| Conclusion |
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Harry Potter
Arithmancy
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Muggle Studies
Under the Influence
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Arithmancy
Divination
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Muggle Studies
Under the Influence
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Hunger Games
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Movie Review
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The Hobbit
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Percy Jackson
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Twilight
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Movie Stills
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Narnia
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Movie Review
| For Nerds. By Nerds. |
Well, dear reader, you know as well as I just how must our friend Jo loves to pull the wool over
our eyes. (Even though, I am not too sure pulling things out of left field and character
assassination counts as pulling the wool over our eyes.)
Armed with this knowledge, I think it is a useful exercise to examine the characters in Emma and
see if any parallels can be drawn between them and our little wizarding friends.
Who is Rowling’s Emma?
our eyes. (Even though, I am not too sure pulling things out of left field and character
assassination counts as pulling the wool over our eyes.)
Armed with this knowledge, I think it is a useful exercise to examine the characters in Emma and
see if any parallels can be drawn between them and our little wizarding friends.
Who is Rowling’s Emma?
Emma Woodhouse:
Mr. Knightley:
Harriet Smith:
Frank Churchill:
Jane Fairfax:
- The protagonist of the novel. She is pretty, graceful, and extremely well liked in the
community. She is held in such high esteem, she tends to think highly of herself and her
talents. She fancies herself a great matchmaker; leading to a series of disastrous pairings.
In spite of it all, she is always well-intentioned.
Mr. Knightley:
- A family friend of the Woodhouses and the brother of the eldest Woodhouse’s husband.
He is the only one who sees Emma’s flaws and shortcomings. Not only is he aware of
these imperfections, he is always sure to point out to Emma when she is wrong. He acts as
her compass, always guiding her in the right direction and bringing her back to reality.
Because of this, he is the greatest friend that Emma has even if she does not always see it
that way.
Harriet Smith:
- A sweet, yet plain girl who lives at a nearby boarding school. She clearly has a bit of hero
worship when it comes to Emma. In Harriet’s eyes, her friend can do no wrong. Emma is
the most beautiful, intelligent, and elegant woman Harriet knows. She believes herself
blessed to have Emma in her life and wouldn’t know how to live her own life without
Emma as a guide. This leads Harriet down the wrong path several times, especially when
it comes to love.
Frank Churchill:
- The son of Mr. Weston, another family friend of the Woodhouses. He proves himself to be
a little shady in his anxiousness to ensure his claim to the estate of his adopted father, Mr.
Churchill. He plays the role of charm and elegance when on the social scene in the
community. He especially uses Emma for his own gain when feigning romantic interest in
her. In reality, he is secretly engaged to Jane Fairfax.
Jane Fairfax:
- The elegant and virtually flawless young woman who is the niece of one of the
townspeople. She serves as a foil to Emma. Basically, Jane possesses every one of
Emma’s graces without the few character flaws evident in Emma’s personality.
As mentioned above, Emma is loved by all – she is the pretty, elegant, graceful young woman in
the community that brings everyone together socially. The beginning of the novel finds Emma
elated over a successful match she credits herself with: her governess, Miss Taylor, has just
married their neighbor, Mr. Weston.
Emma has resolved herself to stay single forever and so she gets her kicks thinking that she is
the perfect matchmaker. She takes Miss Taylor’s marriage as proof that she must continue in
this vein.
Emma’s next project becomes her dear friend Harriet. Harriet is the sweet girl-next-door type
who is a bit inexperienced when it comes to the upper-middle class world of social visits and
grand balls. Emma takes her on as a protégé and tries to mold her into a suitable bride for the
man she deems acceptable.
To Harriet, Emma’s opinion is as good as fact. Harriet adores Emma and follows her blindly
(even when Emma decides that Robert Martin, the man Harriet has a crush on, is not good
enough for her). This relationship only serves to encourage Emma’s high opinion of herself.
Harriet fuels Emma’s confidence in her own intelligence and wit. (Don’t get me wrong. Emma
is incredibly lovable. She is so well-intentioned that it is hard to resent her over-confidence.)
Emma lives with her widowed father who completely adores her. She is the sweetheart of the
town. The other families in the book, Emma’s own family, Harriet and Miss Taylor all think she
is totally and completely wonderful.
Her only reality check lies in the character of Mr. Knightley. He often comes to visit Emma and
her father. He not only engages Mr. Woodhouse in conversation, but visits with Emma as well.
He always manages to see through Emma’s latest scheme and isn’t afraid to tell her so. Even
with all her confidence and encouragement from others, no one’s opinion seems to affect Emma
the way that Mr. Knightley’s does.
Of course, no one knows Emma as well as Mr. Knighltey. As predicted, Emma fails miserably
at her matchmaking game. Her first target for Harriet is Mr. Elton, a clergyman in the
community. What Emma doesn’t know is that Mr. Elton plans to elevate his own social status
by marrying a woman with an appropriate dowry.
Emma continues to invent situations in which Mr. Elton must interact with Emma and Harriet.
She is thrilled by his interest in spending time with them. What she doesn’t realize is that Mr.
Elton interprets all of Emma’s efforts to mean that Emma is interested in him.
This ends disastrously with Mr. Elton proposing to an outraged Emma and Harriet having her
heart broken.
Meanwhile, all of Highsbury is in a tizzy because Mr. Weston’s son, Frank Churchill comes to
visit. The entire town has speculated about Frank for so long that they can’t get enough of him
when he arrives. This leads to a series of grand balls and social visits.
Emma at first fancies a match between Frank and herself – wouldn’t it be great to be related to
Miss Talyor?
However, with time this attraction fades and Emma begins to fantasize about Frank and Harriet.
Harriet throws Emma for a loop when she says that she is interested in someone much superior
to Frank.
Emma knows that the only man that could possibly fit this description is Mr. Knightley. It is
not until Harriet reveals her “love” for Knightley that Emma realizes that she loves him herself.
We are also introduced to Jane Fairfax. She is visiting her aunt in town. Jane is an accomplished
musician, elegant, beautiful – basically she is a more perfect version of Emma. Rather than
admitting she is jealous of Jane’s perfection, Emma decides that she doesn’t get along with Jane
because Jane is just too reserved.
Alongside Emma’s own drama in the love department is the unfolding of Frank Churchill’s
story. Frank is Mr. Weston’s son, but was adopted by his aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs.
Churchill, after Mr. Weston’s first wife died.
He knows his aunt and uncle will not approve of his life choices and is afraid that they will
disown him if his actions are not in alignment with their wishes. Frank feels he is not free to
express his own will until after he inherits property from the Churchills.
Once Frank is “freed” he writes to his father and announces that he is secretly engaged to Jane
Fairfax. Austen purposefully distracts her audience with the possibility of matches between
Frank and Emma or Harriet and excludes the reader from any interactions between Frank and
Jane.
This surprise engagement along with the revelation that Emma is in love with Knightly are the
famous plot twists that Rowling loves so much. Perhaps the revelation of Tonks and Lupin’s
relationship is Rowling’s nod to her favorite author of all time?
Now that I have filled you in on the story of Jane Austen’s Emma, we are almost ready to answer
the original question. Who is Rowling’s Emma?
the community that brings everyone together socially. The beginning of the novel finds Emma
elated over a successful match she credits herself with: her governess, Miss Taylor, has just
married their neighbor, Mr. Weston.
Emma has resolved herself to stay single forever and so she gets her kicks thinking that she is
the perfect matchmaker. She takes Miss Taylor’s marriage as proof that she must continue in
this vein.
Emma’s next project becomes her dear friend Harriet. Harriet is the sweet girl-next-door type
who is a bit inexperienced when it comes to the upper-middle class world of social visits and
grand balls. Emma takes her on as a protégé and tries to mold her into a suitable bride for the
man she deems acceptable.
To Harriet, Emma’s opinion is as good as fact. Harriet adores Emma and follows her blindly
(even when Emma decides that Robert Martin, the man Harriet has a crush on, is not good
enough for her). This relationship only serves to encourage Emma’s high opinion of herself.
Harriet fuels Emma’s confidence in her own intelligence and wit. (Don’t get me wrong. Emma
is incredibly lovable. She is so well-intentioned that it is hard to resent her over-confidence.)
Emma lives with her widowed father who completely adores her. She is the sweetheart of the
town. The other families in the book, Emma’s own family, Harriet and Miss Taylor all think she
is totally and completely wonderful.
Her only reality check lies in the character of Mr. Knightley. He often comes to visit Emma and
her father. He not only engages Mr. Woodhouse in conversation, but visits with Emma as well.
He always manages to see through Emma’s latest scheme and isn’t afraid to tell her so. Even
with all her confidence and encouragement from others, no one’s opinion seems to affect Emma
the way that Mr. Knightley’s does.
Of course, no one knows Emma as well as Mr. Knighltey. As predicted, Emma fails miserably
at her matchmaking game. Her first target for Harriet is Mr. Elton, a clergyman in the
community. What Emma doesn’t know is that Mr. Elton plans to elevate his own social status
by marrying a woman with an appropriate dowry.
Emma continues to invent situations in which Mr. Elton must interact with Emma and Harriet.
She is thrilled by his interest in spending time with them. What she doesn’t realize is that Mr.
Elton interprets all of Emma’s efforts to mean that Emma is interested in him.
This ends disastrously with Mr. Elton proposing to an outraged Emma and Harriet having her
heart broken.
Meanwhile, all of Highsbury is in a tizzy because Mr. Weston’s son, Frank Churchill comes to
visit. The entire town has speculated about Frank for so long that they can’t get enough of him
when he arrives. This leads to a series of grand balls and social visits.
Emma at first fancies a match between Frank and herself – wouldn’t it be great to be related to
Miss Talyor?
However, with time this attraction fades and Emma begins to fantasize about Frank and Harriet.
Harriet throws Emma for a loop when she says that she is interested in someone much superior
to Frank.
Emma knows that the only man that could possibly fit this description is Mr. Knightley. It is
not until Harriet reveals her “love” for Knightley that Emma realizes that she loves him herself.
We are also introduced to Jane Fairfax. She is visiting her aunt in town. Jane is an accomplished
musician, elegant, beautiful – basically she is a more perfect version of Emma. Rather than
admitting she is jealous of Jane’s perfection, Emma decides that she doesn’t get along with Jane
because Jane is just too reserved.
Alongside Emma’s own drama in the love department is the unfolding of Frank Churchill’s
story. Frank is Mr. Weston’s son, but was adopted by his aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs.
Churchill, after Mr. Weston’s first wife died.
He knows his aunt and uncle will not approve of his life choices and is afraid that they will
disown him if his actions are not in alignment with their wishes. Frank feels he is not free to
express his own will until after he inherits property from the Churchills.
Once Frank is “freed” he writes to his father and announces that he is secretly engaged to Jane
Fairfax. Austen purposefully distracts her audience with the possibility of matches between
Frank and Emma or Harriet and excludes the reader from any interactions between Frank and
Jane.
This surprise engagement along with the revelation that Emma is in love with Knightly are the
famous plot twists that Rowling loves so much. Perhaps the revelation of Tonks and Lupin’s
relationship is Rowling’s nod to her favorite author of all time?
Now that I have filled you in on the story of Jane Austen’s Emma, we are almost ready to answer
the original question. Who is Rowling’s Emma?
At first glance, it is easy to draw obvious parallels between Austen’s characters and our beloved
wizarding friends. Obviously, Knightly and Emma are Harry and Ginny, right? Or maybe they
parallel Hermione and Ron?
Let’s examine this a little closer.
wizarding friends. Obviously, Knightly and Emma are Harry and Ginny, right? Or maybe they
parallel Hermione and Ron?
Let’s examine this a little closer.
Who of the bunch fits the profile of a Mr. Knightly? Let’s review Knightly’s character traits.
He is extremely responsible, wise, and level-headed. He is the one who balances Emma.
Everyone else only sees her as a perfect flawless girl - someone to be admired. Knightly clearly
cares for Emma as well, but he also acts as her compass. He is not afraid to tell her when she is
not living up to her potential.
In essence, Knightly knows that a true friend is not afraid to disagree with you when necessary.
When you look at these characteristics, there is only one person who embodies these qualities.
Hermione repeatedly puts her own happiness on the line to help her friends. She is the source of
wisdom and reason. If Harry and Ron were left to their own devices, Lord knows they would
have never survived passed Book 1.
She is always there to stop their foolishness and offer a logical solution even if it isn’t the
popular thing to do. A prime example of this is the Firebolt incident in Book 3.
He is extremely responsible, wise, and level-headed. He is the one who balances Emma.
Everyone else only sees her as a perfect flawless girl - someone to be admired. Knightly clearly
cares for Emma as well, but he also acts as her compass. He is not afraid to tell her when she is
not living up to her potential.
In essence, Knightly knows that a true friend is not afraid to disagree with you when necessary.
When you look at these characteristics, there is only one person who embodies these qualities.
Hermione repeatedly puts her own happiness on the line to help her friends. She is the source of
wisdom and reason. If Harry and Ron were left to their own devices, Lord knows they would
have never survived passed Book 1.
She is always there to stop their foolishness and offer a logical solution even if it isn’t the
popular thing to do. A prime example of this is the Firebolt incident in Book 3.
I know I should leave Emma for the end, but I can’t resist jumping from Knightly to Emma.
Once Mr. Knightly is assigned to Hermione, I know there are a lot of people who would want
me to just say that Emma is Ron...and they lived happily ever after...Except that Ron is not
Emma. Seriously, does he have any of the characteristics of Emma?
Poise, grace, popularity, polish, celebrity...sure that sounds like Ron to me.
The truth is that Emma isn’t perfect. Everyone loves Emma and builds her up in the eyes of the
community.
Emma even convinces herself that she is the person that the citizens of Highsbury want her to
be, but she knows deep down that there is more than what she shows the world.
Knightly is Emma’s perfect match. He knows that there is so much more potential locked inside
of her. He also sees her flaws and calls her out on them. He also knows that it is okay to be
flawed and our flaws are what make us human.
True love means embracing someone completely, not loving the person you want them to be.
If you accept that Hermione is Mr. Knightly it seems just as logical that Harry is Emma. Before
the Harry/Ginny and Hermione/Ron legions jump through the computer screen, please hear
me out.
Hermione is there through all of Harry’s ups and downs. Everyone around him idolizes him
because he is the Boy-Who-Lived.
Ron enjoys the celebrity that comes with being best friends with the boy who lived and Ginny
has been infatuated with him since birth. They see him as wonderful and amazing and perfect.
Ron will jump down the throat of anyone who dares criticize his famous friend.
Only Hermione is willing to praise Harry for his brilliance and scold him for his foolishness.
I am not saying that they have a deep-seeded, burning passion for each other. I understand that
there are levels of love. Not every relationship between a man and a woman is romantic.
I hope that you, dear readers, can accept that Hermione and Harry have total respect and
admiration for each other. I do not believe that there can be a greater order of love, at least if
you consider it a love between friends.
Fans of Hermione/Ron and Harry/Ginny need not read any further...
Once Mr. Knightly is assigned to Hermione, I know there are a lot of people who would want
me to just say that Emma is Ron...and they lived happily ever after...Except that Ron is not
Emma. Seriously, does he have any of the characteristics of Emma?
Poise, grace, popularity, polish, celebrity...sure that sounds like Ron to me.
The truth is that Emma isn’t perfect. Everyone loves Emma and builds her up in the eyes of the
community.
Emma even convinces herself that she is the person that the citizens of Highsbury want her to
be, but she knows deep down that there is more than what she shows the world.
Knightly is Emma’s perfect match. He knows that there is so much more potential locked inside
of her. He also sees her flaws and calls her out on them. He also knows that it is okay to be
flawed and our flaws are what make us human.
True love means embracing someone completely, not loving the person you want them to be.
If you accept that Hermione is Mr. Knightly it seems just as logical that Harry is Emma. Before
the Harry/Ginny and Hermione/Ron legions jump through the computer screen, please hear
me out.
Hermione is there through all of Harry’s ups and downs. Everyone around him idolizes him
because he is the Boy-Who-Lived.
Ron enjoys the celebrity that comes with being best friends with the boy who lived and Ginny
has been infatuated with him since birth. They see him as wonderful and amazing and perfect.
Ron will jump down the throat of anyone who dares criticize his famous friend.
Only Hermione is willing to praise Harry for his brilliance and scold him for his foolishness.
I am not saying that they have a deep-seeded, burning passion for each other. I understand that
there are levels of love. Not every relationship between a man and a woman is romantic.
I hope that you, dear readers, can accept that Hermione and Harry have total respect and
admiration for each other. I do not believe that there can be a greater order of love, at least if
you consider it a love between friends.
Fans of Hermione/Ron and Harry/Ginny need not read any further...
...for those of you who want to believe that it is a romantic the story does not end with the
epilogue. If you believe that these characters are real, dynamic characters alive in an alternate
universe, there is still hope.
I cannot imagine that these stories are not real. They have become such a huge part of who I am
that I cannot let go. I imagine our friends are living their lives in the wizarding world and we
were cursed to be the muggles that are not allowed in.
If the story continues beyond Book 7, then there is no end. Hermione/Ron and Harry/Ginny
paired up during a very stressful time in their lives.
It is easy to turn to the closest person for comfort during times of crisis. It is also easy to see the
error of your ways when the sky clears and the sun comes out again. Let us hold out hope!!
epilogue. If you believe that these characters are real, dynamic characters alive in an alternate
universe, there is still hope.
I cannot imagine that these stories are not real. They have become such a huge part of who I am
that I cannot let go. I imagine our friends are living their lives in the wizarding world and we
were cursed to be the muggles that are not allowed in.
If the story continues beyond Book 7, then there is no end. Hermione/Ron and Harry/Ginny
paired up during a very stressful time in their lives.
It is easy to turn to the closest person for comfort during times of crisis. It is also easy to see the
error of your ways when the sky clears and the sun comes out again. Let us hold out hope!!
Sadly, Caspian had to leave us before this piece could be finish - the joys of being a grown-up
with responsibilities...
So to put some sort of a cap on this article for you, dear readers, I decided to take a guess at it's
conclusion by drawing parallels with the other characters.
Harriet = sweet, well-meaning yet not sophisticated. A good friend to defend you against all
others, but sycophantically in hero worship love with Emma, follows blindly. I'm just guessing,
but that sounds like Ron to me.
Mind you, I find it hysterical that the boys turn out being the girls in this scenario.
I'd say the different, simple-but-extraordinary is his own way, Robert Martin is a loose parallel
to Luna. Who is different, but oh so very extraordinary and able to bond with people on a deeper
level because she's just so darn perceptive.
As much as I loathe implying Ginny might ever be considered a 'more perfect version' of
Hermione - cause she's not. I like Ginny, for the most part. But Hermione Granger she will
never be.
That being said, I think she's the most obvious choice to be a Jane Fairfax. Especially as towards
the end of the HP Series, Ginny can do very little wrong.
Frank Churchill...? That's a tricky one. I was leaning towards linking the 'Big 6' Potter characters
to the crazy kids from Clueless - I mean, Emma. But maybe this is an exception.
Frank Churchill = someone who is not all he seems to be...
On that definition alone, I'd say Draco Malfoy.
Disagree with me? That's fair. There's more than enough interpretation to go around. Another
real idea is that Ginny's Harriet: sycophantically in love with Harry. How else do you explain
Harry naming his kid Albus Severus? You can argue that Neville is Mr. Martin. Or that Ginny
is really Mr. Elton. Or Ron could also be Mr. Elton...
However, you look at it, I think Harry and Hermione's characters are very obvious.
Unknowingly or not, Rowling's almost cloned those characteristics and bestowed them upon her
creation. I do think Rowling added depth and feeling - and dare I say (at least in the beginning -
when she was being true to her characters) did a better job of it.
Sacrilege to the Austen-files, I understand. So let me give credit where credit is due.
I think without Austen we wouldn't have Rowling...or Collins or Meyer. Austen paved the way
in a time so unlike ours, and yet through her masterful weaving of story, we can see how very
like us they were as well. I would, however, like to believe that women have become more
discerning in matters of the heart now than in the past.
And yet time and again, Austen proves right. ;-)
with responsibilities...
So to put some sort of a cap on this article for you, dear readers, I decided to take a guess at it's
conclusion by drawing parallels with the other characters.
Harriet = sweet, well-meaning yet not sophisticated. A good friend to defend you against all
others, but sycophantically in hero worship love with Emma, follows blindly. I'm just guessing,
but that sounds like Ron to me.
Mind you, I find it hysterical that the boys turn out being the girls in this scenario.
I'd say the different, simple-but-extraordinary is his own way, Robert Martin is a loose parallel
to Luna. Who is different, but oh so very extraordinary and able to bond with people on a deeper
level because she's just so darn perceptive.
As much as I loathe implying Ginny might ever be considered a 'more perfect version' of
Hermione - cause she's not. I like Ginny, for the most part. But Hermione Granger she will
never be.
That being said, I think she's the most obvious choice to be a Jane Fairfax. Especially as towards
the end of the HP Series, Ginny can do very little wrong.
Frank Churchill...? That's a tricky one. I was leaning towards linking the 'Big 6' Potter characters
to the crazy kids from Clueless - I mean, Emma. But maybe this is an exception.
Frank Churchill = someone who is not all he seems to be...
On that definition alone, I'd say Draco Malfoy.
Disagree with me? That's fair. There's more than enough interpretation to go around. Another
real idea is that Ginny's Harriet: sycophantically in love with Harry. How else do you explain
Harry naming his kid Albus Severus? You can argue that Neville is Mr. Martin. Or that Ginny
is really Mr. Elton. Or Ron could also be Mr. Elton...
However, you look at it, I think Harry and Hermione's characters are very obvious.
Unknowingly or not, Rowling's almost cloned those characteristics and bestowed them upon her
creation. I do think Rowling added depth and feeling - and dare I say (at least in the beginning -
when she was being true to her characters) did a better job of it.
Sacrilege to the Austen-files, I understand. So let me give credit where credit is due.
I think without Austen we wouldn't have Rowling...or Collins or Meyer. Austen paved the way
in a time so unlike ours, and yet through her masterful weaving of story, we can see how very
like us they were as well. I would, however, like to believe that women have become more
discerning in matters of the heart now than in the past.
And yet time and again, Austen proves right. ;-)
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