Jane Austen Was Writing Unlikeable Female Characters Before it Was Cool

Hello! Finally time for another video essay, this time on the fact that Jane Austen was writing unlikeable female characters before it was cool, covering her most unlikeable heroine, Emma. #janeaustenjuly

0:00 - Intro
2:04 - Part 1 - Why is Emma Unlikeable?
7:36 - Part 2 - Emma Behaving Badly
12:33 - Part 3 - Good to be Bad
17:54 - Outro

[CoynieReads]

Bless you for the “Badly done!” compilation… nicely done 🤪

[carolynhunt]

My favorite Austen plot twist is Lucy Steele marrying Robert Ferrars after the spiteful Mrs. Ferrars disinherited Edward with an irrevocable trust to Robert. It was just so delicious.

[boopyvacaine]

I am glad I wasn't the only one who thought that Fanny should have married the rich fuckboy Henry instead of her cousin Edmund who barely looked at her twice during the whole book. While his faithfulness is questionable I still believe he would be loving in his own way. I would love to see a video with your take on the book's love triangle.

[bibliosophie]

this was a fab video essay, thank you!

[bookmouse]

Mrs. Norris practically tortures Fanny....not quite the same thing.
In Emma she is described as having hazel eyes and in good health. Harriet was blonde and plump.
When one of my cats does something naughty I say "badly done". My husband hasn't a clue.

[kevinrussell]

A nice stroll through the book. I've long maintained Emma is the most LIKEABLE and believable of Austen's heroines, but I'm your average guy. I don't care much for Fanny because she doesn't have that contrary spark. She's too "good".
Yes, Austen has fun exploring what makes Emma tick (or not), and I agree with you, Fanny is Emma's 180 degree opposite, yet JA liked both her characters. Jane, herself, never "submitted" to being any man's wife, yet both Fanny and Emma do. Curious, eh?
So which is the real Jane? Neither one, I suspect.
I have the sneaking suspicion that the real Jane had the accomplishments of Jane Fairfax and the natural tendencies (well controlled, however) of Lady Susan. Like all bright, complicated women (perhaps like you, too??), all guys in her presence would be "out to sea" and unsettled most of time, wondering what is actually going on beneath the curls, the smiling lips, and pretty face.

[AdDewaard-huxk]

Note: keep the print things on screen a tad longer. I can't read that fast. On another topic, I don't know what 'snarky' means. But Emma is.

[amandacalling]

Please do a video on why Fanny should have married Crawford 🙏