The four seasons of Emma

Abstract

This paper proposes a reading exercise of Emma, by Jane Austen, in which the construction of the novel is revealed as a process that alludes to the act of playing a game and incorporates a sense of ludicity. Reading is thus conceived as an experience characterized by the same playful stance. It is observed that the plot of Jane Austen’s novel unfolds over the chronological span of one year, during which each of the four seasons highlights a particular character whose characterization, to a certain extent, mirrors elements traditionally associated with the respective season. The paper argues that uncovering this narrative design constitutes an integral part of the reading experience and contributes to the reader’s enjoyment and to the coherence of their interpretation. The reader is also enriched insofar as, in constructing their reading, they are able to activate other cultural references that Emma brings into play, such as Antonio Vivaldi’s concert cycle The Four Seasons. Such an exercise may foster a disposition toward engagement with other works and, more broadly, open up a perspective of reading as an activity that combines investigation and pleasure through the choice of appropriate interpretive keys. This study is based primarily on the primary source itself, the literary work, and also relies on contributions from theorists who reflect about the nature of reading experiences, such as Roland Barthes and Leyla Perrone-Moisés.