In the novel Emma, Emma Woodhouse invites Mr. Elton to watch as she paints a picture of Harriet Smith as a scheme to create love between her friends. Before presenting Harriet to Mr. Elton, Emma is determined to form Harriet into a perfect, eligible bachelorette. Emma’s eagerness to paint Harriet symbolizes her excitement toward giving Harriet a social makeover. The image of Harriet compared to the real Harriet differs extremely because the woman “has not those eyebrows and eyelashes” as the portrait (34). Mr. Elton, completely oblivious to the set up at hand, says “It is the fault of her face that she has them not” (34). Emma denies having changed the image from the reality and states that the picture is a resembles Harriet perfectly. By rejecting all accusations of changing Harriet, Emma enhances Harriet on a physical level, different from the emotional level. The image above is from the BBC version of Emma. It shows Emma drawing Harriet, forcing Harriet to stand uncomfortably still for hours even though she doesn’t Harriet as she truly is.
-Kai
(Source: janeaustensworld.wordpress.com)
