Re: Perhaps my problem is my model. -- Mimetic Theory and Literary Study

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Date Posted: 07:36:48 03/01/08 Sat
Author: Erin Risch
Subject: Re: Perhaps my problem is my model.
In reply to: j.jackson 's message, "Perhaps my problem is my model." on 09:13:10 02/27/08 Wed

Well, Emma may be largely predicated on "romantic" (to use Girard's own term) whims, but let's not over look the obvious. And Harriet uses Emma as the strongest of models throughout the entire book, yearning for Emma's approval of whomever it is she happens to love at the time. Emma is almost certainly an external mediator to Harriet, because Harriet sees Emma's elevated social status and character as unreachable, and therefore there is no rivalry between the two, as long Harriet's objects are Mr. Eliot, Mr. Martin, and Mr. Churchhill (supposedly). The first moment of rivalry occurs only when Harriet and Emma very suddenly exchange places as mediator and mediated, when Emma finds that Harriet does not love Mr. Churchhill, but Mr. Knightley. Emma suddenly realizes her own love for Mr. Knightley, Harriet becomes an internal mediator to Emma. Emma feels an intense resentment for Harriet, who incidentally has spent the entire book overtly imitating Emma, who has been trying to "improve Harriet" by making Harriet like herself. Harriet has passed the entire book becoming similar to Emma, increasing the likelihood and bitterness of their rivalry.

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