which is better emma or pride and prejudice?

Question

i have to write an esay on one of them. i have already read pride and prejudice but am thinking of re-reading it if emma isn't very good or is too long.

any suggestions???

ps: I have until the end of january to read it

Answer 1

Pride and Prejudice is my favorite book of all, so I would have to give that my vote.

I enjoyed Emma, too, but the first time I read it I had a difficult time getting into the story. I didn't like Emma; she was too snobby so she irritated me. I persevered, however, and was glad I did. It's really an excellent book. (Jane Austen said something like she was the only person who would actually like her heroine, Emma.)

Still, Pride and Prejudice is a classic among classics.

BTW: Emma is actually longer than Pride and Prejudice. My copy of Emma is 503 pages vs. Pride and Prejudice at 397 pages.

Answer 2

I enjoyed Pride and Prejudice more, and there will also be more to write about for your essay. P&P has more characters with depth and complexity, a much better sub-plot (Jane and Mr. Bingham) and most important of all, Elizabeth is a much more interesting character than Emma.

I also find Mr. Darcy a more compelling hero than Mr. Knightly. Mr. Darcy has flaws, and learns to change some of them. Mr. Knightly is always trying to get Emma to change--their relationship is less romantic as a result.

Answer 3

Pride and Prejudice is the best and also my favorite.

Emma is good but mediocre, in comparison.

If you watch the BBC movie of Pride and Prejudice, you will fall in love with Mr. Darcy.

Mr. Darcy is played, by Colin Firth.

It's a must read book.

Answer 4

Pride and Prejudice is definitely nicer than Emma,or rather less boring. I've always wanted to study P&P but it became my luck(or ill-luck)to study Emma instead. Both are nice in their own way. I have always admired Elizabeth and I feel that had Emma not lived in such a secluded place, the two would have been similar in many ways,with the obvious exception of wealth. In writing Emma,Austen said that she was creating a character whom no one but herself would like but when you come to analyse Emma carefully, you somewhat start liking Emma,if not for the humour she brings in the novel with her snobbish, conceited and blind beliefs,which she alone seems to be completely sure about. We like her at the end especially when she realises her mistakes and recognises the prize she has drawn in Mr Knightley's love for her.
On the other hand, of P&P, Austen said that it was too bright and needed shade. The vivacity of Lizzy has drawn hearts towards her through ages. She is well loved but she is not perfect,neither is Darcy. One is blinded by prejudice and the other by pride. The beauty of the story lies in the gradual dimming of this two aspects until they disappear and the two main characters recognise each other for what they are than what they are thought to be.
I would advise you to take up Emma for your essay as you can be sure this is the text that the minority of students would choose. I found out that while you come to like Emma through studying the text and criticizing her, studying P&P would spoil all pleasures you might formally have had taken in the story. The latter is definitely too bright but a study of it would dim its brightness into insignificance.
In your essay,whichever you choose though I would advise you to choose Emma, you could like bring a subtle comparison between the two texts as well as the main characters in the two. This would go to show that you have taken your time well to choose which text to tackle as well as a marked appreciation for both,each to a certain degree.
Good luck with your essay!

Answer 5

I really really love pride and prejudice. I would suggest that one.

Answer 6

would rather read Pride and Prejudice. Just read both :)

Answer 7

p&p is slightly longer (by abt 20 pages) and i personally enjoyed it much more than emma