Este local, referido no romance Emma, assume um papel importante no desenrolar da história, não só por representar um dos poucos momentos em que Emma sai do ambiente familiar de Hartfield, mas também porque deste passeio resultam mudanças importantes no comportamento e atitude de Miss Woodhouse.
"They had a very fine day for Box Hill ... Nothing was wanting but to be happy when they got there. Seven miles were travelled in expectation of enjoyment, and every body had a burst of admiration on first arriving"
De acordo com o artigo "Emma: Picnicking on Box Hill" do blogue Jane Austen's World, "os piqueniques tornaram-se muito populares na viragem do século XIX, quando a sensibilidade romântica influenciava a tendência de comer ao ar livre como forma de comungar com a natureza". Desta forma, sabemos que Jane Austen também seguia as tendências! Neste mesmo artigo, percebemos a dificuldade que havia em preparar tais saídas ao ar livre e toda a logística que isso implicava - na versão de 1996 com Kate Beckinsale tudo isso é muito bem demonstrado.
Assim como os piqueniques eram uma tendência na Época da Regência, também o era o local, Box Hill.
Box Hill, existe na realidade em Surrey, Reino Unido, aproximadamente a 30km de distância de Londres. Assim, será de supor que Jane Austen o tenha igualmente visitado. A colina tem este nome em virtude de um antigo bosque situado num declive muito íngreme do lado oeste com vista para o Rio Mole.
As primeiras casas da pequena aldeia de Box Hill datam de 1800, embora grande parte da aldeia tenha sido construida na metade do século XX. Isto significa que a popularidade de Box Hill terá surgido, mais ou menos, na época em que Jane Austen viveu.
Existem duas pinturas que retratam a vista de Box Hill, uma de George Lambert que data de 1733 e se encontra no Tate e outra de William Turner que data de 1796 e que se encontra atualmente no Museu Albert and Victoria em Londres, [constam ambas das imagens iniciais deste artigo, a maior de G. Lambert, a mais pequena de W. Turner) o que acentua mais a ideia de que as qualidades paisagísticas de Box Hill se tornaram mais conhecidas no preciso período de vida de Jane Austen.
Hoje em dia Box Hill integra uma Área Especial de Conservação, o que equivale certamente às nossas Áreas protegidas, implicando igualmente inúmeras restrições quanto a construções e destruição do meio ambiente.
Tem livre acesso ao público que pode optar por fazer um percurso pedestre de cerca de 1 km para Sul chamado “Pilgrims Ways” (Caminho do Peregrino); visitar o miradouro (Salomons Memorial) onde terá uma ampla paisagem, permitindo inclusivé que se veja a cidade mais próxima, Dorking; visitar o Forte, que só foi construído em 1890, portanto, ainda não exisitia à data em que foi escrita “Emma”; Broadwoods Folly, uma pequena torre circular construída em 1820; A Zig Zag Road, que data de 1869, um caminho muito íngreme com cerca de 2.5 km que já foi por muitos comparado aos Alpes Franceses; e ainda um pequeno percurso de pedras sobre o rio no fundo da colina junto ao Rio Mole.
Box Hill mantém a sua popularidade e, quem sabe, se Jane Austen, através de Emma, não teve grande influência nisso!
"It is a sort of thing," cried Mrs. Elton emphatically, "which I should not have thought myself privileged to inquire into. Though, perhaps, as the Chaperon of the party— I never was in any circle— exploring parties—young ladies—married women—" Her mutterings were chiefly to her husband; (…)” - JA
“Mrs Elton, not at all pleased with the turn the conversation had taken, though her anger was mostly caused by the fact that she was not the centre of attention. There was whispering from Frank Churchill, and Emma showed no disgust at his behaviour, as she would have done had anyone else whispered in company. - AG
" I am ordered by Miss Woodhouse to say, (...) she only demands from each of you either one thing very clever, be it prose or verse, original or repeated—or two things moderately clever— or three things very dull indeed, and she engages to laugh heartily at them all.
- Oh! very well," exclaimed Miss Bates, "then I need not be uneasy. `Three things very dull indeed.' That will just do for me, you know. I shall be sure to say three dull things as soon as ever I open my mouth, shan't I? (looking round with the most good-humoured
dependence on every body's assent)—Do not you all think I shall?" - JA
“I was just about to say, „Not at all,‟ and I saw Mrs Weston about to do the same, when Emma said” - AG
"Ah! ma'am, but there may be a difficulty. Pardon me—but you will be limited as to number—only three at once." - JA
“I could not believe it. Instead of reassuring Miss Bates that her contributions to the conversation were always valued, she insulted her in front of all her friends; worse still, in front of her niece. I felt sick with it. She would never have said such a thing before meeting Frank Churchill!” – AG
Não sei se estes eram os pensamentos que Jane Austen teria atribuído a Knightley, mas penso que não devem estar muito longe dos verdadeiros. Sem dúvida que a influência de F. Churchill foram uma importante contribuição para uma certa insensibilidade no comportamento de Emma, pois junto dele era alvo de todas as maiores atenções, convencendo-se, ainda que de forma inconsciente, que era, de facto, perfeita. E isso levou-a a colocar-se numa posição sobranceira e altiva, sem ter em conta os outros. Emma foi inconveniente, grosseiramente inconveniente e Knightley não poderia ter reagido de outra forma.
“Miss Bates did not realize what Emma had said, and I was about to divert her attention by offering her another slice of pie when I saw her face change and knew I was too late.” - AG
“but, when it burst on her, it could not anger, though a slight blush shewed that it could pain her.” - JA
“I was mortified, yet Emma continued to smile and Weston went on with the conversation as though nothing was wrong.” - AG
"I doubt its being very clever myself," said Mr. Weston. "It is too much a matter of fact, but here it is.—What two letters of the alphabet are there, that express perfection?" - JA
“Weston! Who should have shown her what he thought of such conduct by a frown. He then made things worse by offering a conundrum, and one which could not have been more badly chosen.” - AG
“- M. and A.—Em-ma.—Do you understand?" Understanding and gratification came together. It might be a very indifferent piece of wit, but Emma found a great deal to laugh at and enjoy in it—and so did Frank and Harriet.— JA
“Emma understood, and was gratified, whilst I was annoyed. Emma, perfect? Emma, who had insulted her oldest friend? Emma, who had flirted shamelessly in front of all her friends?
Emma basked in the praise, though it was ill-deserved, whilst her flatterer, Frank Churchill, laughed and enjoyed it. “ - AG
“It did not seem to touch the rest of the party equally; some looked very stupid about it, and Mr. Knightley gravely said” - JA
“This explains the sort of clever thing that is wanted,‟ I said without humour, „but perfection should not have come quite so soon.‟
It made no difference. Emma was pleased, and so was her court. Mrs Elton, it is true, was not pleased, though if she could have changed her name to Emma, she would have thought it the best conundrum in the world. “ - AG
"Oh! for myself, I protest I must be excused," said Mrs. Elton; (…) Miss Woodhouse must excuse me. I am not one of those who have witty things at every body's service” - JA
“I declared my intention of taking a walk as well, and gave her one arm, whilst offering Miss Bates the other.” - AG
“They walked off, followed in half a minute by Mr. Knightley. Mr. Weston, his son, Emma, and Harriet, only remained; and the young man's spirits now rose to a pitch almost unpleasant. Even Emma grew tired at last of flattery and merriment, and wished herself rather walking quietly about with any of the others, or sitting almost alone, and quite unattended to, in tranquil observation of the beautiful views beneath her.” - JA
“And for the rest of the walk, I had to listen to her apologizing for her tongue, when it should have been Emma who was apologizing for hers. I did what I could to soothe her, and she grew easier. “ - AG
Eu até compreendo a frase de Emma... Afinal, passei muito tempo do livro a desejar que ela se calasse!
Todavia, acho que Emma extravazou muito da sua putativa importância ao expressar tal sentimento. Enquanto pensamento, julgo que não nos deixaríamos de rir, mas o facto de o ter dito da boca para fora é altamente repreensível. Mr. Knihtley espanta-se com a atitude de Emma, primeiro, por expressar semelhante pensamento, segundo, por não perceber que o que acabou de dizer foi em tudo ofensivo.
Não posso deixar de afirmar que considero a linha de pensamento de Knightley seguida por Amanda Grange muito convincente. Depois de Weston fazer a sua charada com o nome de Emma e perfeição, a resposta dada por Knightley ainda mencionada por Jane Austen, é muito bem explorada por Amanda Grange que nos mostra o sentimento incrédulo e zangado com que Mr. Knightley reage a toda aquela situação perante a indiferença de Emma que mantém uma postura irrefletida e imprópria.
Não deixa de ser igualmente interessante, o facto de Amanda Grange nos dar a conhecer o que foi dito no passeio com Knightley, Miss Bates e Jane Fairfax, que nos mostra quão humilde e magoada Miss Bates estava.
“While waiting for the carriage, she found Mr. Knightley by her side.” - JA
“My anger had not cooled when I stood next to Emma as we waited for the carriage to take us home again. I told myself I must not reprimand her or criticize her, but I could not help myself. I could not see her being dragged down, when a word from me might stop it. “ - AG
“He looked around, as if to see that no one were near, and then said, "Emma, I must once more speak to you as I have been used to do” - JA
“I said, in some agitation. Even then, I tried to hold back, but I could not” - AG
“I cannot see you acting wrong, without a remonstrance. How could you be so unfeeling to Miss Bates? (...) Emma, I had not thought it possible." Emma recollected, blushed, was sorry, but tried to laugh it off.
"Nay, how could I help saying what I did?—Nobody could have helped it. It was not so very bad. I dare say she did not understand me."
"I assure you she did. She felt your full meaning. She has talked of it since. I wish you could have heard her honouring your forbearance, (...) and, were she prosperous, I could allow much for the occasional prevalence of the ridiculous over the good. Were she a woman of fortune, I would leave every harmless absurdity to take its chance, I would not quarrel with you for any liberties of manner. Were she your equal in situation (...) Her situation should secure your compassion. It was badly done, indeed!” - JA
“She was not interested. She looked away, impatient with me for speaking to her thus. But I had started, and I could not have done until I had finished.” - AG
“to have you now, in thoughtless spirits, and the pride of the moment, laugh at her, humble her—and before her niece, too(...) This is not pleasant to you, Emma (...) I will tell you truths while I can; satisfied with proving myself your friend by very faithful counsel, and trusting that you will some time or other do me greater justice than you can do now." - JA
Gostei bastante desta controvérsia entre as perspetivas de um e outro. Emma só se apercebe das implicações do que disse quando Knihtley a repreende. É curioso assistir ao duelo de sentimentos de Knihgtley que até ao último momento tenta não criticá-la por entender que já não ocupa esse lugar, agora que Emma pretende iniciar a sua vida ao lado de outro homem. Todavia fá-lo, e fá-lo por amor.
A reação inicial de Emma às suas palavras é ainda muito imatura, como Austen nos mostra, ela ainda tenta rir com a situação.
“While they talked, they were advancing towards the carriage; it was ready; and, before she could speak again, he had handed her in.” - JA
“I handed her into the carriage. She did not even bid me goodbye. She was sullen. Who could blame her? But it could not be helped. I had said what I had to say, and I returned to the Abbey in low spirits. “ - AG
“He had misinterpreted the feelings which had kept her face averted, and her tongue motionless. They were combined only of anger against herself, mortification, and deep concern. She had not been able to speak; and, on entering the carriage, sunk back for a moment overcome—then reproaching herself for having taken no leave, making no acknowledgment, parting in apparent sullenness, she looked out with voice and hand eager to shew a difference; but it was just too late. He had turned away, and (...) She continued to look back, but in vain; (...) She was vexed beyond what could have been expressed— almost beyond what she could conceal. Never had she felt so agitated, mortified, grieved, at any circumstance in her life. “ - JA
“(I) began to restore my sense of calm. (...) If Emma had been with me, I would have known complete happiness. But she was not, and as I came inside I had to acknowledge that such a thing would never come to pass. (...) But I cannot forget about Emma. Where is she now? Is she at Hartfield, thinking of Frank Churchill and his easy flattery? She must be.“ - AG
“The wretchedness of a scheme to Box Hill was in Emma's thoughts all the evening. How it might be considered by the rest of the party, she could not tell. They, (...) might be looking back on it with pleasure; but in her view it was a morning more completely misspent, more totally bare of rational satisfaction at the time, and more to be abhorred in recollection, than any she had ever passed.” - JA
Gosto especialmente da forma como Knightley interpreta erradamente a aparente apatia de Emma perante o que lhe diz e os sentimentos dela para com Churchill—e nisto, ele não podia estar mais enganado!
Emma só muito tarde se apercebe do que fez, mas não tarde de mais, como sabemos, Emma esforça-se por expiar as suas culpas nos capítulos seguintes e consegue-o e por isso entendo que esta cena na história representa um ponto de viragem em Emma porque ela cresce muito depois desta reprimenda.
Box Hill é o palco da maior discussão entre Emma e Mr. Knightley. É nesse cenário que Emma é veemente repreendida pela forma crua e insensível como trata Miss Bates. É desta grande zanga entre os dois que virá, mais tarde, surgir em Emma o sentimento singular que sente por Knightley e que, afinal de contas, ultrapassa as fronteiras da amizade.
Dada a importância do local para o desenrolar da história e do romance entre a nossa heroína e o nosso herói, resolvi confrontar as duas perspectivas da ação. Assim, recorrendo ao romance “Emma” de Jane Austen e ao romance-sequela “ Mr. Knightley’s Diary” de Amanda Grange, vou percorrer pelos olhos de um e de outro, o que aconteceu no piquenique de Box Hill.
“I was up at daybreak, and oversaw the start of the clover-cutting before getting ready to go to Box Hill. The day was fine, and we had a good journey. Whether we were tired from yesterday’s enjoyments or languid because of the heat I do not know, but there was a lack of spirit in the party.” – “Mr. Knightley’s Diary”, Amanda Grange (AG).
“They had a very fine day for Box Hill; and all the other outward circumstances of arrangement, accommodation, and punctuality, were in favour of a pleasant party. (…) Nothing was wanting but to be happy when they got there. Seven miles were travelled in expectation of enjoyment, and every body had a burst of admiration on first arriving; but in the general amount of the day there was deficiency. There was a languor, a want of spirits, a want of union, which could not be got over. They separated too much into parties.” – “Emma”, Jane Austen (JA).
Amanda Grange mantém o estilo de Jane Austen, referindo a agradável viagem até Box Hill mas alguma falta de “espírito” por parte dos seus participantes em virtude do dia anterior passado em Donwell Abbey.
“We strolled about until it was time for our picnic. Then, indeed, there was more liveliness in the party, (...) for Churchill made Emma the object of his attentions. (..) Whatever it was, he did not behave like a gentleman.
Emma did not seem to notice anything amiss, and flirted with him in the most painful way; painful to me, as I am in love with her more every day. (…)
Her flirting grew worse. It was beyond anything I had seen, and I dreaded where Frank Churchill‟s influence would take her.” – AG
“At first it was downright dulness to Emma. She had never seen Frank Churchill so silent and stupid. (…) When they all sat down it was better; to her taste a great deal better, for Frank Churchill grew talkative and gay, making her his first object. (...) and Emma, glad to be enlivened, not sorry to be flattered, was gay and easy too, and gave him all the friendly encouragement, the admission to be gallant, (...) but which now, in her own estimation, meant nothing. (...) Not that Emma was gay and thoughtless from any real felicity; it was rather because she felt less happy than she had expected. She laughed because she was disappointed; and though she liked him for his attentions, and thought them all, whether in friendship, admiration, or playfulness, extremely judicious, they were not winning back her heart. She still intended him for her friend.” - JA
Aqui sim, começamos a notar uma diferença de perspetivas. Enquanto Knightley censura o comportamento de Emma e F. Churchill, tanto por achar pouco próprio tanto flirt, e porque estando agora consciente da sua paixão por Emma, não pode evitar sentir ciúmes.
Todavia, Jane Austen mostra-nos os pensamentos de Emma, e estes não podiam ser mais diferentes. Emma não está minimamente apaixonada por Frank Churchill, apenas vê nele um amigo. Permite-lhe tais atenções por estar aborrecida ou como Jane Austen nos diz, por não se sentir tão feliz como esperava, e daquela forma sempre se vai distraindo.
"Our companions are excessively stupid. What shall wedo to rouse them? Any nonsense will serve. They shall talk. Ladies and gentlemen, I am ordered by Miss Woodhouse (who, wherever she is, presides) to say, that she desires to know what you are all thinking of?" - JA
“Emma smiled at this mixture of flattery and silliness, instead of looking disgusted, as she should have done” - AG
Some laughed, and answered good-humouredly. Miss Bates said a great deal; Mrs. Elton swelled at the idea of Miss Woodhouse's presiding; Mr. Knightley's answer was the most distinct. "Is Miss Woodhouse sure that she would like to hear what we are all thinking of?" - JA
“I looked at her intently, knowing she would not like my thoughts.” - AG
"Oh! no, no"—cried Emma, laughing as carelessly as she could— "Upon no account in the world. It is the very last thing I would stand the brunt of just now. Let me hear any thing rather than what you are all thinking of. I will not say quite all. There are one or two,perhaps, (glancing at Mr. Weston and Harriet,) whose thoughts I might not be afraid of knowing." - JA
“Well might she say so. They never find fault with anything she does, but to have such uncritical friends is not good for anyone.” - AG
Acho interessantíssima a forma como Knightley consegue avaliar toda a situação sem se deixar influenciar em demasia pelos seus próprios sentimentos... ele mantém total sensatez.Obviamente que a sua parcialidade para com Emma fazem com que se sinta triste pelas suas atitudes presentes, todavia, as falhas que lhe aponta são verdadeiras sem qualquer sinal de desfaçatez por esta não o encarar como potencial partido.
Durante dois meses iremos fazer uma visita guiada pela obra de Jane Austen, "Emma", assinalando todos os locais aí descritos. Procuraremos se tais lugares existem na realidade e onde e como se encontram e faremos também umas incursões aos diversos locais de filmagens das adaptações de Emma para o ecrã.
