A conscience is a very important thing. Without it we would make bad decision after bad decision.
But unfortunately, not all of us are tuned into our conscience. Some of us just go about doing what we want without thinking of others.
Hopefully those people have someone who will help keep them in check. Someone willing to point out their errors and how best to fix them. Someone…well someone like Mr. Knightley.
Yes, Emma was one of those people who doesn’t think of others.
It’s not that she tries to be cruel, she was just raised getting whatever she wants so she only focuses on her needs and desires. This can cause issues as she doesn’t always behave the best way.
Luckily Mr. Knightley is on the case to bettering her, whether she likes it or not.
“Mr. Knightley, in fact, was one of the few people who could see faults in Emma Woodhouse, and the only one who ever told her of them…”
Yep, Mr. Knightley is the only one making sure Emma doesn’t turn out to be a selfish person. While Emma may not like having her faults pointed out:
Mr. Knightley is only trying to do his duty as her friend. Yes, friends are there to support and encourage you:
But to also call us out on the stuff we are doing that’s not right as well.
A lot of people see this as mean, but it is just the Austen version of:
After all real friends are there to help you grow.
And whether it is tough love, supportive love, encouraging love, etc:
For more on Emma Woodhouse, go to You Cannot Think That I Will Leave Off Match-Making
For more on Mr. Knightley, go to Book Club Picks: A Common Life, The Wedding Story
For more on Emma, go to Jane Austen’s Guide to Dating
For more bible verses, go to Book Club Picks: The Illustrated Man