World Classics
World ClassicsLiterary Classics Around the World
10-5-00
2nd hour
Literary classics, while not always happy stories, demonstrate a character trying to better his life. All countries have their own type of literary classics; I read three books from three very different countries, France, England and Russia. In the books Emma by Jane Austin, The Stranger by Albert Camus and Les Miserables by Victor Hugo there is an underlying theme of eternal happiness. All over the world, people are trying to achieve happiness in their own lives, these books illustrate that it is a common theme among all people.
Emma is a book about a juvenile girl coming of age who, through many experiences, becomes a considerate and caring woman. When she was younger, she was fascinated with matchmaking, causing her many embarrassing moments. With Ms. Harriett, Emma convinces her that she is of high society, which none of the men she is setting Harriett up with seem to believe. The whole story turns full circle around the act of marriage. “I will not marry until I find a person better than anyone I know now,” said Emma. Going back on her word and ending up in the arms of Mr. Nightly, Emma has found true happiness. Harriett marries the very man Emma said not to, Mr. Martin, this shows that personal happiness is achieved only when it is chosen. Emma learns that happiness is most important thing in one’s life, not what looks the best to others.
Emma was a book I really enjoyed reading; it was filled with humorous dialogue and superior characters. I believe that this is the best novel Jane Austin has written. The most enjoyable part about the book was the characters, even though they lived in the 1800’s, I could relate to them. Emma was a character that I truly loved; she was even inspirational by being such a strong woman. Emma changes throughout the book, she seems to change for other people, but she learns in the end that you do not have to change for anyone even true love.
Mr. Woodhouse, Emma’s father, is a very important minor character he unintentionally keeps Emma from Marrying and leaving home. Being the youngest child, she stays at home tending to her father. She decides not to marry because she has not found any one person worthy and to be able to take care of her father. Mr. Woodhouse does not like to be awake past dark, does not like to leave his house and panics at the idea of sitting outside. Emma is quite content taking care of her father, thus she is not looking to be married. In the end, Emma finds a man, Mr. Nightly, who knows how much her father means to her and is willing to live with him.
The Bishop, in Les Miserables, is an important character because of his forgiving nature; he showed Jean Valjean the power of the church. The Bishop believed that...
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