Lefroygate: the Janeites respond
The revolution has begun, Gentle Readers!
Although Lefroy became a successful lawyer in Ireland, he was a conservative reactionary who staunchly opposed Catholic emancipation and almost every other proposal to improve the lot of the Irish people in the first half of the 19th century. In short, he was not a suitable match for someone of Miss Austen’s intelligence, sense of humour, and independence of spirit.
A life spent shackled to Mr Lefroy might well have denied us the pleasure of Emma Woodhouse, Fanny Price and Anne Elliot.
So there!
Cheers Reeba, it’s always fun to talk about Emma, especially when it comes from the heart!