Bedside Lamp English Learning Reader IV: Emma (Full 4 Boxes with American Accent)

Author: Tang Shuzhen / Country: Mainland China
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-01-01
Features: Emma Woodhouse comes from a wealthy and intelligent family, and those in such an environment tend to be spoiled and self-assured, which is understandable. She has just attended the wedding of her friend, companion, and former governess, Miss Taylor, who married the widower Mr. Weston next door. Although the marriage is a good one, Emma still sighs in secret over the loss of her dear friend. Now, Hartfield is left with only her and her father. Mr. Woodhouse is elderly and prone to fretting over trivial matters, so he cannot provide companionship for his daughter. The Woodhouses are a prominent family in Highbury. Among their small circle of friends, there are many middle-aged and elderly women who play cards with Mr. Woodhouse, but no young lady is available to be Emma's friend and confidante. The lovely Miss Taylor is now Mrs. Weston, and Emma feels deeply lonely, so she takes Harriet Smith under her protection. Harriet is a student at a nearby boarding school, living with the headmaster's family. She is seventeen years old, beautiful, though of humble intellect, but her manners are pleasing and natural, and she is accustomed to looking up to Emma as a role model, so she is quite agreeable. Harriet is an illegitimate child, and the identity of her father remains a mystery. Emma believes this girl may come from a distinguished family and does her best to convince her that all her previous acquaintances are unworthy of her. Emma advises her to break off contact with the Martins. The Martins are respectable farmers, though they have some property, they are not part of high society. Emma thinks Robert Martin is not good enough for Harriet and encourages the girl to pursue the young clergyman, Mr. Elton. Emma judges from Mr. Elton's demeanor that he has already fallen in love with Harriet and believes her arrangement for their marriage will certainly succeed. Mr. Knightley is the brother-in-law of Emma's sister, who practices law in London. Few people can see Emma's faults, and he is one of them. Emma's close relationship with Harriet makes him uneasy. He warns Emma that this relationship is no benefit to Harriet or to herself. When Mr. Knightley learns that Harriet has rejected Robert Martin's proposal at Emma's urging, he becomes even more concerned. Emma, however, is quite content with herself, for she is certain that Mr. Elton is deeply in love with Harriet, and Harriet—urged by her—feels the same way toward him. Mr. Elton privately proposes to Emma, which makes her suddenly realize the truth. She suddenly understands that Mr. Elton's attentions to Harriet are actually directed at her, and that her own encouragement for him to pursue her friend has been misinterpreted as encouragement for him to propose to her. Mr. Elton's self-importance is already annoying enough, but how to break this news to Harriet is even more distressing. Another disappointing event occurs in Emma's social circle. Frank Churchill has been promising to visit his father and his new stepmother for several months, but he has postponed his visit yet again. Churchill is the son of Mr. Weston's first wife, who uses his mother's surname. Mr. Knightley believes this young man now feels superior to his father's status. Emma argues with him, but inwardly she agrees with his view. Despite the social life at Hartfield...